絞り出す

• Reading: しぼりだす
• Romaji: shiboridasu
• Kanji breakdown: 絞 (kō/shiboru) — to wring, to squeeze; 出 (shutsu/dasu) — to bring out, to extract
• Pronunciation: /ɕi.bo.ɾi.da.sɯ/

Meaning

To squeeze out; to wring out; to eke out something with great effort.

A Group 1 (godan) compound verb combining 絞り (wringing/squeezing) and 出す (to bring out). It describes extracting something that requires significant effort — the last drop of a liquid, a barely audible voice, or an idea produced through great mental strain. The verb conveys the difficulty and effortfulness of the extraction process itself.

Examples

1. レモンを絞り出して最後の一滴まで無駄にしなかった。 He squeezed the lemon to the very last drop, wasting nothing.
2. 疲れた体でなんとか声を絞り出して助けを求めた。 Exhausted, he somehow managed to squeeze out his voice and call for help.
3. 彼は長考の末にようやく案をひとつ絞り出した。 After prolonged thought, he finally wrung out a single idea.

Usage Guide

Context: physical effort, emotion, creativity, cooking, exhaustion

Tone: strenuous

Origin & History

Compound of 絞り (from 絞る — to wring, to squeeze) and 出す (to put out, to extract). The image is of physically squeezing a cloth or container to force liquid out — extended metaphorically to any effortful extraction of something reluctant to emerge.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: General