羽は目め

は

め

Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 5,000

Meanings

Only when written 羽目

Refers to wooden paneling or wainscoting, especially in traditional Japanese architecture. This sense is restricted to the kanji form 羽目.

古ふるい旅りょ館かんの廊ろう下かには、美うつくしい羽は目めが張はられていた。
The hallway of the old inn was fitted with beautiful wainscoting.

noun

plight; fix; mess; awkward situation

Used almost exclusively in the idiomatic expression 羽目になる (to end up in a difficult or awkward situation). Also appears in 羽目に陥る and similar phrases. Not used as a standalone noun for 'situation'.

Usage patterns

〈事こと〉で羽は目めに陥おちいるto fall into a difficult situation because of something
借しゃっ金きんを抱かかえて苦くるしい羽は目めに陥おちいった。
He fell into a dire situation, saddled with debt.

Expressions

羽は目めになるget stuck with; end up having to do
羽は目めを外はずすgo over the top; cut loose; act without restraint

Kanji

羽feathers, counter for birds, rabbits
目eye, class, look
破rend, rip, tear

Related words

窮きゅう地ち sense 2
窮地 is a formal, literary word for a dire predicament, while 羽目 is colloquial and almost always used in the fixed phrase 羽目になる.
苦く境きょう sense 2
苦境 describes a tough, ongoing hardship (often financial or social), whereas 羽目 refers to a sudden, specific awkward situation one 'ends up in'.

Word family

羽は目め板いた
wainscoting; wood paneling
腰こし羽ば目め
waist-high wainscoting

Written forms

羽は目めUsage39%
Standard kanji spelling for both the architectural and idiomatic senses.
はめUsage34%
ハメUsage20%
破は目めUsage8%
Alternate kanji form, rarely used in modern Japanese.

Etymology

Originally referred to wooden panels (羽目) used in construction. The idiomatic sense likely developed from the idea of being 'boxed in' or 'cornered' like being enclosed by panels, though the exact derivation is uncertain.