Godan verb, intransitive verb

  1. to be at one's wits' end, to be cornered, to be in a fix, to be in a desperate situation, to be in a pinch, to be in a predicament, to be packed to the hilt.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
 
 
切羽詰まる せっぱつまる
 
切羽詰る せっぱつまる
 
 
 
 
 
せっぱ詰まる せっぱつまる
 
 
 
切羽つまる せっぱつまる

Contained Kanji Breakdown

cut, cutoff, be sharp
き.る セツ サイ (2nd, N4)
seven
なな シチ なの (1st, N5)
sword, saber, knife
かたな トウ ち (2nd, N1)
feathers, counter for birds, rabbits
はね は ば (2nd, N2)
learn(習) variant
hooked enclosure
two-stroke water radical or ice radical (no. 15)
ヒョウ こおり (Kentei 1)
packed, close, pressed
つ.める づめ キツ (7th, N2)
say, word
い.う こと ゲン (2nd, N4)
dot, tick or dot radical (no. 3)
チュ (Kentei 1)
one, one radical (no.1)
イチ いっ ひと- (1st, N5)
mouth
くち コウ ク (1st, N4)
good luck, joy, congratulations
よし キチ キツ (8th, N1)
gentleman, scholar, samurai
シ さむらい お (4th, N1)