壺(つぼ)

テスト前(まえ)にテスト範囲(はんい)のつぼを押(お)さえる。

Before the test, grasp the key points of the test scope. {jar, pot, vase, dice cup, depression (i.e. the basin of a waterfall), target (when aiming an arrow), (figurative) bull's-eye, key point (of a conversation, etc.), acupuncture point, moxibustion point, nodes on a fingerboard (of a shamisen, etc.)}

相手(あいて)の挑発(ちょうはつ)に乗(の)ってしまったら相手(あいて)の思(おも)う壺(つぼ)だ。

If you take the bait and react to the other person's provocation, you're playing right into their hands. {jar, pot, vase, dice cup, depression (i.e. the basin of a waterfall), target (when aiming an arrow), (figurative) bull's-eye, key point (of a conversation, etc.), acupuncture point, moxibustion point, nodes on a fingerboard (of a shamisen, etc.)}

つぼを外(はず)した質問(しつもん)をしたので先生(せんせい)にガッカリされました。

I disappointed my teacher because I asked a question that was off the mark. {jar, pot, vase, dice cup, depression (i.e. the basin of a waterfall), target (when aiming an arrow), (figurative) bull's-eye, key point (of a conversation, etc.), acupuncture point, moxibustion point, nodes on a fingerboard (of a shamisen, etc.)}

うちの祖母(そぼ)は古(ふる)い人(ひと)とあって、未(いま)だに塩(しお)を壺(つぼ)に入(い)れて保管(ほかん)している。

My grandmother, being old-fashioned, still stores salt in a pot. {jar, pot, vase, dice cup, depression (i.e. the basin of a waterfall), target (when aiming an arrow), (figurative) bull's-eye, key point (of a conversation, etc.), acupuncture point, moxibustion point, nodes on a fingerboard (of a shamisen, etc.)}

砂糖(さとう)が入(はい)っている壺(つぼ)を割(わ)ろうものなら、お母(かあ)さんに酷(ひど)く叱(しか)られるでしょう。

If you break the jar filled with sugar, you will probably get severely scolded by mom. {jar, pot, vase, dice cup, depression (i.e. the basin of a waterfall), target (when aiming an arrow), (figurative) bull's-eye, key point (of a conversation, etc.), acupuncture point, moxibustion point, nodes on a fingerboard (of a shamisen, etc.)}