逆手
also: ぎゃくて
Meanings
underhand grip
Only with reading さかて
Sports term for gripping with palms facing upward or toward the body, as in gymnastics or weightlifting. Reading is さかて.
See also: 順手
Gripping the horizontal bar with an underhand grip makes pull-ups easier.
cross-handed grip; hands reversed
Only with reading ぎゃくて
Sports term for gripping with hands crossed or positioned opposite to the usual way, e.g., in golf or baseball. Reading is ぎゃくて.
See also: クロスハンド
In golf, the cross-handed grip is used for putting.
reverse grip (sword)
Only with reading さかて
Holding a sword with the blade pointing downward or backward; often associated with ninja or certain martial arts. Reading is さかて.
Ninjas sometimes fight holding the sword in a reverse grip.
turning the tables; using against
Only with reading ぎゃくて
Idiomatic use: taking an opponent's argument or action and using it to one's own advantage. Often in the phrase 逆手に取る. Reading is ぎゃくて.
See also: 逆手に取る
He turned the criticism around and used it for his own promotion.
reverse arm-lock; joint lock
Only with reading ぎゃくて
Martial arts term, especially in judo, for a lock applied against the natural bend of a joint. Often read ぎゃくて.
See also: 関節技
Getting caught in a reverse arm-lock in judo is extremely painful.
foul trick
Only with reading ぎゃくて
Rare term for a dirty or underhanded trick. Reading is ぎゃくて.
In old novels, there are scenes where characters use foul tricks to trap their enemies.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉を逆手に持つto hold something with an underhand/reversed grip
He gripped the barbell with an underhand grip and lifted it.
- 逆手をかけるto apply a reverse joint lock
He applied a reverse lock on his opponent's arm, immobilizing him.
- 〈物〉を逆手に握るto hold (e.g. a blade) in a reverse grip, blade pointing down
The ninja held the sword in a reverse grip, blade pointing downward, ready to strike.
Expressions
- 逆手に取るturn the tables; use someone's argument/attack against them; take advantage of a negative situation