首くび切きり

noun

decapitation; beheading

Literal or historical act of cutting off a head. Can be used figuratively for harsh punishment or removal.

• 昔むかし、罪ざい人にんは首くび切きりにされた。

  In the old days, criminals were beheaded.

• その武ぶ将しょうは敵てきの大たい将しょうの首くび切きりを命めいじた。

  The warlord ordered the decapitation of the enemy general.

noun

firing; dismissal; layoff; downsizing

Colloquial term for job termination, often used in business contexts. Implies a sudden or harsh removal, like 'getting the axe'.

• 不ふ況きょうで会かい社しゃは大たい量りょうの首くび切きりを行おこなった。

  Due to the recession, the company carried out massive layoffs.

• 彼かれは遅ち刻こくが多おおくて首くび切きりになった。

  He was fired for being late too often.

noun

small decapitation sword

Historical term for a short sword specifically used for beheading. Rare in modern usage outside historical or samurai contexts.

• 博はく物ぶつ館かんに江え戸ど時じ代だいの首くび切きりが展てん示じされている。

  A small decapitation sword from the Edo period is on display at the museum.