身み動うごきが取とれない

Meanings

1

expression, i-adjective

unable to move; stuck; helpless

Describes being physically stuck or figuratively trapped in a situation with no way out. Often used when one cannot act freely due to constraints.

狭せまい部屋へやで荷に物もつに囲かこまれて、身み動うごきが取とれなくなった。
Surrounded by luggage in the small room, I became unable to move.

借しゃっ

金きん

が

多おお

く

て

身み

動うご

き

が

取と

れ

ない

。

I'm so deep in debt that I'm completely stuck.

Written forms

身み動うごきが取とれない
Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling.
身み動うごきがとれない
Kana spelling of 取れない; common in everyday writing.

Kanji

身somebody, person, one's station in life
動move, motion, change
取take, fetch, take up

Similar words

動うごけない
Simply means 'cannot move'; 身動きが取れない emphasizes being trapped or helpless, often with a figurative nuance.
手ても足あしも出でない
Means 'completely helpless' or 'outmatched', focusing on inability to fight back or respond, while 身動きが取れない focuses on being stuck or unable to act.

Etymology

Compound of 身動き (movement of the body) + が (subject marker) + 取れない (potential negative of 取る, 'to take'). Literally 'cannot take body movement', i.e., unable to move freely.