手を打つ

• 読み: てをうつ
• ローマ字: te wo utsu
• 漢字の分解: 手 (shu/te) — hand; 打 (da/u) — strike, hit
• 発音: /te.o.ɯ.tsɯ/

意味

To take measures; to take action; to deal with a problem before it worsens.

A set expression combining 手 (hand, measure) and 打つ (to strike). Primarily used in the sense of taking preventive or corrective action. Also has a secondary meaning of striking a deal or coming to an agreement (clapping hands to seal a bargain). The preventive-measures sense is more common in modern usage, especially in business and crisis management.

例文

1. 被害が広がる前に手を打つ必要がある。
2. 競合他社に先を越される前に手を打った。
3. 早めに手を打っておいたおかげで、大事には至らなかった。

使い方ガイド

場面: business, crisis management, strategy

トーン: decisive

起源と歴史

Literally to strike the hand. In traditional Japanese commerce, buyers and sellers clapped hands to finalise a deal. The broader sense of taking decisive action developed from this image of a firm, resolute gesture.

文化的背景

時代: Edo period

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal