肝っ玉

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 肝っ玉 is read as きもったま and means guts or nerve.
• Basic usage: It can describe steady nerves under questioning or boldness in overcoming a crisis.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Remaining steady under questions
  • 肝っ玉: She has steady nerves and is not shaken even by unexpected questions. Example: 彼女は肝っ玉が据わっていて、予想外の質問にも動じません。
• Boldly overcoming a crisis
  • 肝っ玉: Our bold grandmother guided the shop through the crisis alone. Example: 肝っ玉の太い祖母は、一人で店の危機を乗り切りました。