Significado
Being in a very dangerous state.
Contexto cultural
The buffalo (kerbau) is a symbol of hard work and rural life. Most idioms involving buffaloes relate to strength or, in this case, the danger of their power. In Toraja, buffalo horns are kept and displayed on the front of traditional houses (Tongkonan). They represent the number of sacrifices made and the family's status. Being 'at the tip' of these horns in a metaphor carries a weight of ancestral and social importance. The name 'Minangkabau' itself means 'Victorious Buffalo'. The roof of their houses (Rumah Gadang) is shaped like buffalo horns. This deep cultural reverence makes horn-based metaphors very resonant. In Javanese philosophy, the buffalo is often seen as a 'rojo koyo' (king of wealth). However, the 'ujung tanduk' idiom is used universally across Indonesia to signal the end of that wealth or stability.
Use for Drama
This is a great phrase to use when you want to sound like a native speaker who follows the news or sports.
Don't Overuse
If you use it for every small problem, people will think you are being sarcastic or 'lebay' (excessive).
Significado
Being in a very dangerous state.
Use for Drama
This is a great phrase to use when you want to sound like a native speaker who follows the news or sports.
Don't Overuse
If you use it for every small problem, people will think you are being sarcastic or 'lebay' (excessive).
Pair with 'Nasib'
The most natural pairing is 'Nasib [Subject] di ujung tanduk'. It sounds very idiomatic.
Buffalo Context
Remember the buffalo imagery; it helps you remember that the situation is 'sharp' and 'heavy'.
Teste-se
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Setelah kalah lima kali berturut-turut, nasib tim itu berada di ______ ______.
The idiom for a critical situation is 'ujung tanduk'.
Which situation is the most appropriate for using 'di ujung tanduk'?
Pilihlah situasi yang tepat:
The idiom is used for critical, high-stakes situations like bankruptcy.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: Bagaimana kondisi pasien itu, Dok? B: Maaf, kondisinya sangat kritis. Nyawanya sedang _______.
In a medical emergency, 'di ujung tanduk' describes a life-threatening state.
Match the subject with the most likely 'ujung tanduk' context.
Pasangkan subjek dengan konteksnya:
All these pairs represent critical situations where the idiom is commonly used.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Severity Scale
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosSetelah kalah lima kali berturut-turut, nasib tim itu berada di ______ ______.
The idiom for a critical situation is 'ujung tanduk'.
Pilihlah situasi yang tepat:
The idiom is used for critical, high-stakes situations like bankruptcy.
A: Bagaimana kondisi pasien itu, Dok? B: Maaf, kondisinya sangat kritis. Nyawanya sedang _______.
In a medical emergency, 'di ujung tanduk' describes a life-threatening state.
Combine cada item a esquerda com seu par a direita:
All these pairs represent critical situations where the idiom is commonly used.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasIt is neutral. You can use it in a business meeting, a news report, or with friends, as long as the situation is serious.
No. Even though 'sapi' (cow) has horns, the idiom is fixed as 'ujung tanduk'.
'Kritis' is a direct word (critical), while 'ujung tanduk' is a more colorful, idiomatic way to say the same thing.
No, it is almost always used for negative or dangerous situations.
It's common when discussing serious topics like work, health, or news, but not for everyday small talk.
Only as a joke. It's too dramatic for a battery.
No, idioms in Indonesian generally don't change for plurality.
Yes, Malay and Indonesian share this idiom, though usage frequency might vary.
Usually implied to be a water buffalo (kerbau) or a bull (banteng).
No, the word order is fixed. 'Ujung' must come first.
Frases relacionadas
Bagai telur di ujung tanduk
builds onExtremely precarious and fragile.
Di ambang pintu
similarOn the threshold/doorstep.
Gawat darurat
similarEmergency/Critical.
Mati kutu
contrastPowerless/Unable to do anything.
Titik kritis
synonymCritical point.
