Proverb / Kotowaza
清水の舞台から飛び降りる
To make a bold decision or take a leap of faith with desperate resolve.
to jump off the stage of Kiyomizu
Quick Answer
To make a bold decision or take a leap of faith with desperate resolve.
- Literal Image
- to jump off the stage of Kiyomizu
- Closest Equivalent
- to take the plunge
- How to Use It
- It is used when someone makes a significant commitment, such as starting a business, quitting a long-term job, or making an expensive purchase that requires great courage.
Meaning
This expression describes taking a major risk or making a life-altering decision with firm determination. It likens the act of starting something new or making a difficult choice to jumping from the high wooden stage of Kiyomizu-dera temple in Kyoto.
Literal Image
to jump off the stage of Kiyomizu
Equivalent Proverbs
to take the plunge
Focuses on making a big commitment.
to cross the Rubicon
Focuses on the point of no return.
How to Use It
It is used when someone makes a significant commitment, such as starting a business, quitting a long-term job, or making an expensive purchase that requires great courage.
Tone
The tone is serious and emphasizes the gravity of the decision being made.
Examples
長年勤めた会社を辞めて独立するのは、清水の舞台から飛び降りるような決意だった。
Quitting the company I had worked at for many years to start my own business was a decision like jumping off the stage of Kiyomizu.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The vocabulary includes specific proper nouns and a multi-part grammatical structure that makes it more complex for beginners.
清水
きよみず / kiyomizu
Kiyomizu (temple in Kyoto)
舞台
ぶたい / butai
stage / platform
決意
けつい / ketsui
determination / resolution
Usage Profile
Misread Risk
This is a metaphorical expression; it should not be used to describe actual dangerous physical acts.
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Source Note
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