Looking up...
待ち構える
machi kamaeru
to lie in wait
犯人は暗い路地裏で被害者を待ち構えていた。
The criminal was lying in wait for the victim in a dark alley.
informal
To wait in ambush or lie in wait for someone or something, often with hostile or predatory intent.
その猫は鳥を待ち構えるように窓辺に座っていた。
The cat was sitting by the window, waiting in ambush for a bird.
彼は敵の到着を待ち構えていた。
He was lying in wait for the enemy's arrival.
This phrase often implies a sense of anticipation or preparation for an encounter, which may be hostile or predatory.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Contextual Nuance
While '待ち構える' can be used in neutral contexts, it often carries a slightly negative or predatory connotation, implying that the waiting is not passive but rather active and strategic.
Gold Rule
Usage in Narratives
This phrase is commonly used in narratives, especially in stories involving suspense or conflict, to describe characters lying in wait for others.
Word Origin
Composed of '待ち' (machi, meaning 'waiting') and '構える' (kamaeru, meaning 'to prepare' or 'to set up'). The combination conveys the idea of waiting in a prepared or strategic manner.
Usage Notes
This phrase is often used in contexts involving ambushes, traps, or strategic waiting. It can be used both literally and metaphorically.
Word Breakdown
待ち
waiting
root構える
to prepare or set up
root和英辞典