When a place opened, a reserve player was selected.
皆が嫌がる当番を任せる相手として、彼に白羽の矢が立った。
He was singled out for the duty everyone disliked.
新しい企画の責任者として彼女に白羽の矢が立った。
She was singled out to lead the new project.
難しい交渉役として私に白羽の矢が立った。
I was tapped for the difficult negotiations.
全国から候補が集まり、若い研究者に白羽の矢が立った。
Among candidates nationwide, a young researcher was chosen.
Similar words
抜擢される
選び出される
指名される
Meanings
Be singled out for a role
selection
neutral
To be specifically chosen from among many people for a task, honor, or burden.
Examples
新しい企画の責任者として彼女に白羽の矢が立った。
She was singled out to lead the new project.
全国から候補が集まり、若い研究者に白羽の矢が立った。
Among candidates nationwide, a young researcher was chosen.
難しい交渉役として私に白羽の矢が立った。
I was tapped for the difficult negotiations.
欠員が出たため、控えの選手に白羽の矢が立った。
When a place opened, a reserve player was selected.
皆が嫌がる当番を任せる相手として、彼に白羽の矢が立った。
He was singled out for the duty everyone disliked.
Similar words
抜擢される
指名される
選び出される
Etymology
A legend says a white-feathered arrow marked a house whose resident was demanded as a sacrifice. The phrase broadened to selection for any special role.
FAQ
What does 白羽の矢が立つ mean?
To be specifically chosen from among many people for a task, honor, or burden.
How do you read 白羽の矢が立つ?
It is read しらはのやがたつ, written shirahano ya ga tatsu.
When would you use 白羽の矢が立つ?
Usually takes the selected person with に; selection may be welcome or unwelcome, as the last example shows.
How is 白羽の矢が立つ different from 選ばれる?
選ばれる simply means be chosen; this idiom highlights being singled out from a group for a particular role.
How does 白羽の矢が立つ change in a sentence?
A fixed expression; 立つ inflects as 白羽の矢が立った. The person is marked by に.
Comments & contributions
Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.