誘い水
さ
そ
い
み
ず
Meanings
1
pump priming
Literal meaning: pouring a small amount of water into a pump to start the flow. Used in economics and metaphorically for any initial stimulus.
As an economic measure, the government made public investments to prime the pump.
2
Figurative extension: something that sets a process in motion or encourages further action. Often used with となる or になる.
His single remark became the spark for the discussion.
The small success served as an impetus, and he worked even harder.
Usage patterns
- 〈事〉が誘い水となるfor something to become the trigger/spark (for a following event)
The economic stimulus became the trigger for increased consumer spending.
- 〈事〉を誘い水にするto use something as a means of prompting a further reaction
The government used the tax cut as a lever to encourage investment.
- 誘い水を打つto prime the pump (literally, or as an initial economic stimulus)
The government primed the pump with public investment.