胸むな突つき八はっ丁ちょう

む

な

つ

き

は

っ

ちょ

う

Meanings

1

noun

the hardest part; the most trying stage

Refers to the most difficult or critical point in a long effort, often used for the final stretch of a task or journey. Originally from the steepest section of a mountain path.

このプロジェクトは胸むな突つき八はっ丁ちょうに差さし掛かかっている。

This project is reaching its most difficult stage.

登と山ざんは胸むな突つき八はっ丁ちょうを過すぎればあとは楽らくだ。

Once you get past the steepest part of the climb, the rest is easy.

Kanji

胸bosom, breast, chest
突stab, protruding, thrust
八eight, eight radical (no. 12)
丁street, ward, town

Related words

正しょう念ねん場ば
Also means a critical moment or test, but 正念場 emphasizes a decisive test of one's true ability or character, while 胸突き八丁 focuses on the sheer difficulty of the final stage.
山やま場ば
Refers to the climax or peak of a situation, often in a story or event, whereas 胸突き八丁 is specifically about the hardest part of a prolonged effort.

Written forms

胸むな突つき八はっ丁ちょう
Standard kanji spelling; the most common written form.
胸むな突つき八はっ丁ちょう
Variant spelling omitting き; less common but still encountered.

Etymology

Literally 'chest-pressing eight chō' (八丁 is about 870 meters). Originally referred to the steepest, most exhausting section of a mountain trail where one's chest feels pressed. Now used metaphorically for the toughest part of any endeavor.