脇わき目めも振ふらず

わ

き

め

も

ふ

ら

ず

Meanings

1

expression

without looking aside; single-mindedly; wholeheartedly

Describes doing something with intense focus, not letting one's attention wander. Often used with verbs of effort or movement.

彼かれは脇わき目めも振ふらず

に

仕し

事ごと

に

打う

ち

込こ

ん

だ

。

He devoted himself to his work without looking aside.

学がく生せいたちは脇わき目めも振ふらず試し験けん勉べん強きょうをしている。

The students are studying for the exam single-mindedly.

Kanji

脇armpit, the other way, another place
目eye, class, look
振shake, wave, wag

Related words

一いっ心しん不ふ乱らん
Similar in meaning 'wholeheartedly', but 一心不乱 is a yojijukugo often used as a na-adjective, while 脇目も振らず is a set phrase used adverbially.
夢む中ちゅう
夢中 means 'absorbed in' and can be used for enjoyable activities, whereas 脇目も振らず emphasizes intense, often serious concentration without distraction.

Written forms

脇わき目めも振ふらず
Standard kanji spelling.
脇わき目めもふらず
Mixed kanji-kana spelling.
わき目めも振ふらず
Mixed kana-kanji spelling.
わき目めもふらず
All-kana spelling.

Etymology

Literally 'without even shaking a side glance', from 脇目 (side glance) + も (even) + 振らず (negative continuative of 振る 'to shake, turn'). The phrase figuratively means not diverting one's gaze or attention.