Proverb / Kotowaza
拍車をかける
To accelerate the progress of something or add momentum to an ongoing situation.
To apply spurs
Quick Answer
To accelerate the progress of something or add momentum to an ongoing situation.
- Literal Image
- To apply spurs
- How to Use It
- Used when describing situations that are gaining speed or intensity. It can apply to positive developments like business growth or negative ones like rising costs or increasing confusion.
Meaning
To further speed up a process that is already in motion or to intensify an existing trend. It describes taking an action or having an event occur that increases the pace or strength of a development.
Literal Image
To apply spurs
How to Use It
Used when describing situations that are gaining speed or intensity. It can apply to positive developments like business growth or negative ones like rising costs or increasing confusion.
Tone
Neutral.
Examples
新製品のヒットが、企業の成長に拍車をかけた。
The success of the new product spurred the company's growth.
SNSでの拡散が、事件の混乱に拍車をかける結果となった。
The spread on social media resulted in further spurring the confusion surrounding the incident.
円安が原材料費の高騰に拍車をかけている。
The weakening yen is spurring the sharp rise in raw material costs.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The verb is simple, but 'hakusha' is specific vocabulary, and the phrase is an idiomatic expression used in news and formal contexts.
拍車
はくしゃ / hakusha
spurs
かける
かける / kakeru
to apply; to put on
Usage Profile
Misread Risk
While the word 'spurs' might suggest horse riding, in modern usage it refers to the acceleration of abstract things like trends, growth, or problems.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
The expression comes from the practice of using spurs (hakusha) attached to the heels of riding boots to stimulate a horse's belly, prompting it to increase its speed.
Index
Topics, Situations, and Tags
Topics
Situations
Tags
Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.