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踵を返す (きびすをかえす) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, godan verb (-su)
turn on one's heel ; turn back ; return
Describes pivoting on the spot and going back the way one came, often abruptly or with finality. Both きびす and くびす readings are used; きびす is more common in modern Japanese.
い
わ
ず
に
きびす
を
返かえ
し
た
。
Without a word, she turned on her heel and left.
Written forms 踵を返す
きびすを 返かえ す
Mixed kana-kanji spelling for the きびす reading.
くびすを 返かえ す
Mixed kana-kanji spelling for the くびす reading.
くびすをかえす
Similar words 引ひ き 返かえ す 引き返す means to turn back or retrace one's steps, often during a journey, without the abrupt pivot nuance of 踵を返す.
踵かかと 踵 (かかと) is the common word for 'heel'; きびす/くびす is an older or literary reading used mainly in this fixed expression.
Etymology Literally 'return the heel', from 踵 (きびす/くびす, 'heel') + を + 返す (かえす, 'return, turn back'). The expression is idiomatic and its exact origin is uncertain.
