Vocab Info
N1 Expression, い-adjective
歯が立たないunable to compete with, not able to make a dent in (e.g. a problem), not able to get a solid hit in (e.g. in a fight), hard to chew
Dictionary Definition
Expression, い-adjective
1.
unable to compete with, not able to make a dent in (e.g. a problem), not able to get a solid hit in (e.g. in a fight)
Idiomatic expression2.
hard to chew
All Forms
歯が立たない 【はがたたない】
Details
は
が
た
た
な
い
Examples
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歯が立たない難問を前に、受験生が絶望している。
In the face of a problem they have no hope of solving, the test-takers are in despair.
- N1
このフランスパンは硬すぎて、全く歯が立たない。
This French bread is too hard, and I can't bite into it at all.
- N1
歯が立たない強敵との試合では戦意すら湧いてきませんでした。
In a match against a strong opponent I was no match for, I didn’t even have the will to fight.
- N1
父と将棋の試合をしてみたが、棋士である父には全然歯が立たなかった。
I tried playing shogi with my father, but seeing as he's a pro, I was unable to compete with him.
- N1
全く私の歯が立たなかった問題をあっさり解決するとは…彼には参ったよ…。
To think he easily solved the problem I wasn't able to make a dent in... I'm beat...
- N1
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