Proverb / Kotowaza
地団駄を踏む
To stomp one's feet in extreme frustration or anger.
to stomp one's feet
Quick Answer
To stomp one's feet in extreme frustration or anger.
- Literal Image
- to stomp one's feet
- How to Use It
- Used to describe intense frustration, regret, or anger, when a person cannot control their physical reaction to a disappointment or failure.
Meaning
This phrase describes the physical act of stomping the ground repeatedly due to overwhelming regret, frustration, or anger. It is used when someone is intensely disappointed by a missed opportunity, beaten by a rival, or throwing a tantrum. The expression vividly captures the uncontrollable emotion that causes a person to physically pound the floor with their feet.
Literal Image
to stomp one's feet
How to Use It
Used to describe intense frustration, regret, or anger, when a person cannot control their physical reaction to a disappointment or failure.
Tone
Descriptive of strong, uncontrolled negative emotions; can range from serious frustration in adults to describing a child's tantrum.
Examples
ライバルに先を越され、彼は地団駄を踏んで悔しがった。
Beaten to the punch by his rival, he stomped his feet in frustration.
チャンスを逃した自分の不甲斐なさに、思わず地団駄を踏む。
I instinctively stomped my feet in frustration at my own pathetic failure to seize the opportunity.
子供が欲しいおもちゃを買ってもらえず、床で地団駄を踏んでいる。
The child is stomping their feet on the floor because they couldn't get the toy they wanted.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Uses specific vocabulary for stomping (jidanda) that is primarily used in this fixed idiom.
地団駄
じだんだ / jidanda
stomping one's feet
踏む
ふむ / fumu
to step on; to stomp
Usage Profile
Usage note: While it literally means stomping feet, it can be used figuratively to express intense regret in adults, as well as literally for a child's tantrum.
Misread Risk
Do not use it to describe mere annoyance; it specifically implies an intense, physically expressive level of regret or frustration.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
It is said that the act of stomping one's feet was originally called "jifumi" (地踏み), and this term eventually changed into the word "jidanda" (地団駄).
Index
Topics, Situations, and Tags
Topics
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Source Note
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