神しん経けいを尖とがらせる

Meanings

1

expression, ichidan verb

be oversensitive; be on edge; worry too much

idiomatic expression

Idiomatic expression meaning to be overly sensitive, nervous, or anxious about something, often with a nuance of being on high alert or easily irritated.

彼かれは最さい近きん、仕し事ごとのことで神しん経けいを尖とがらせている

。

Lately, he's been on edge about work.

そんな小ちいさなことに神しん経けいを尖とがらせる必ひつ要ようはないよ。

There's no need to get so worked up over such a small thing.

Written forms

神しん経けいを尖とがらせる
Standard kanji spelling for this idiomatic expression.
神しん経けいをとがらせる
Mixed kana-kanji spelling; common in everyday writing.

Kanji

神gods, mind, soul
経sutra, longitude, pass thru
尖be pointed, sharp, taper

Similar words

気きにする
気にする is a general term for 'to mind' or 'to worry about', while 神経を尖らせる implies a heightened state of nervous sensitivity or irritability.
神しん経けい質しつ
神経質 is a na-adjective meaning 'nervous' or 'high-strung' as a personality trait, whereas 神経を尖らせる describes a temporary state of being oversensitive.

Etymology

Literally 'to sharpen one's nerves', from 神経 (nerves) + を + 尖らせる (to sharpen). The figurative meaning of being oversensitive or on edge is a natural extension of the physical image.