Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
立つ瀬がない (たつせがない) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, i-adjective
lose face ; be in an awkward position ; have no leg to stand on
Describes a situation where one's social standing or justification is lost, leaving them embarrassed or unable to maintain their position. Often used when someone is proven wrong or outmaneuvered.
じょう
司し
に
厳きび
しく
叱しか
ら
れ
て
、
立た
つ
瀬せ
が
ない
様よう
子す
だっ
た
。
He was harshly scolded by his boss and looked like he had no leg to stand on.
Written forms 立た つ 瀬せ がない
Standard kanji spelling for this fixed expression.
立た つ 瀬せ が 無な い
Variant using 無い instead of ない; slightly more formal or written.
Kanji 瀬 rapids, current, torrent 無 nothingness, none, ain't Similar words 面めん 目ぼく を 失うしな う More direct about losing honor or face; 立つ瀬がない focuses on the resulting awkward position rather than the loss itself.
居心地いごこち が 悪わる い Describes general discomfort in a place or situation; 立つ瀬がない specifically implies a loss of standing or justification.
Etymology Literally 'there is no shallows to stand on.' 瀬 (せ) originally means a shallow part of a river where one can stand. The phrase figuratively means having no place to stand, i.e., no ground to support one's position.
