一目置く

• Reading: いちもくおく
• Romaji: ichimoku oku
• Kanji breakdown: 一 (ichi) — one; 目 (moku/me) — eye, point (in Go); 置 (chi/o) — place, put
• Pronunciation: /i.t͡ɕi.mo.kɯ.o.kɯ/

Meaning

To acknowledge someone's superiority; to take one's hat off to. Recognising that someone is a cut above.

An idiomatic expression using Group 1 (godan) verb 置く (to place). From the game of Go, where a weaker player places a handicap stone (一目) before the game begins, acknowledging the opponent's greater skill. Now used broadly to express respect for someone's abilities.

Examples

1. 彼の知識の深さには誰もが一目置いている。 Everyone has a deep respect for the breadth of his knowledge.
2. 若いのに上司からも一目置かれる存在だ。 Despite being young, he is someone even his superiors look up to.
3. 彼女の語学力には一目置くしかない。 You can't help but tip your hat to her language skills.

Usage Guide

Context: praise, workplace, sports

Tone: respectful

Origin & History

Originates from Go (囲碁), where 一目置く meant placing one stone as a handicap, acknowledging the opponent's superior rank. This Go terminology became a widely used idiom for recognising someone's excellence.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo period

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal