腕を振るう

• Reading: うでをふるう
• Romaji: ude wo furuu
• Kanji breakdown: 腕 (wan/ude) — arm, skill, ability; 振 (shin/fu) — swing, wield, brandish
• Pronunciation: /ɯ.de.o.ɸɯ.ɾɯ.ɯ/

Meaning

To display one's skill; to show what one can do; to demonstrate one's abilities to the fullest.

A Group 1 (godan) idiomatic compound formed from 腕 (ude, arm; by extension skill or ability) and 振るう (furuu, to brandish or wield). The image is of a craftsman or expert swinging their arm with full power and precision. Frequently used for cooks, specialists, and professionals who are given the chance to work at their best. The nuance is positive — an opportunity to shine, not merely to perform.

Examples

1. 新しいレストランで、シェフが思う存分腕を振るった。 At the new restaurant, the chef showed off his skills to the fullest.
2. やっと自分の専門知識を腕を振るえる場所が見つかった。 He finally found a place where he could put his expertise to full use.
3. 大舞台でこそ真の実力者は腕を振るうものだ。 It's on the big stage that a truly skilled person demonstrates their abilities.

Usage Guide

Context: cooking, professional skill, performance, career

Tone: positive

Origin & History

Idiomatic compound using 腕 (ude), which metonymically refers to ability or skill (as the arm is the instrument of craft), and 振るう (furuu, to brandish/wield, from Old Japanese), evoking the full, unrestrained swing of an expert at work.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal