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Vocabulary
胸を撫で下ろす

B1 noun 9 min read

胸を撫で下ろす

mune o nade orosu

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 胸を撫で下ろす in 30 Seconds

Explanation 胸を撫で下ろす in your Level:

At the A1 level, '胸を撫で下ろす' (mune o nadeorosu) is a bit difficult because it is an idiom. However, you can think of it as a special way to say 'I am very happy and safe now.' In English, we say 'breathe a sigh of relief.' In Japanese, they say 'stroke down the chest.' When you were worried about a test or a lost cat, and then everything is okay, you say this. It is like saying 'Phew!' but in a more poetic way. You don't need to use it yet, but if you hear a Japanese person say 'mune,' they are talking about their heart and feelings. Just remember: Chest + Stroke + Down = Relief.

For A2 learners, you should start recognizing this as a set phrase. It means 'to feel relieved.' You probably already know 'anshin suru' or 'hotto suru.' This phrase is a bit more descriptive. It uses the kanji for 'chest' (胸), 'stroke' (撫), and 'down' (下). You use it when a bad thing did not happen. For example, 'I lost my keys, but I found them. Mune o nadeoroshita.' It is almost always used in the past tense 'nadeoroshita' because you feel the relief after the problem is gone. It's a great phrase to make your Japanese sound more like a native speaker's.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use '胸を撫で下ろす' correctly in context. This idiom is perfect for describing emotional turning points. It is more sophisticated than 'hotto suru' and carries a nuance of 'the heart was racing, but now it is calm.' You should use it after a 'te-form' verb that explains the reason for the relief. For example: 'Kodomo ga buji ni kaette kite, mune o nadeoroshita.' (The child came home safely, and I breathed a sigh of relief). Notice how it emphasizes the intensity of the previous worry. It is a 'Godan' verb, so it conjugates like 'hanasu' (nadeorosu, nadeoroshimasu, nadeoroshita).

At the B2 level, you should understand the stylistic choice of using '胸を撫で下ろす' versus '安堵する' (ando suru). While 'ando suru' is formal and often used in writing, 'mune o nadeorosu' is more evocative and common in storytelling or heartfelt conversation. You should also recognize its use in passive or causative-like contexts in literature, although they are rare. At this level, you can use it to describe not just your own feelings but also the collective feelings of a group, such as in a business meeting after a crisis is averted. It shows you understand the physical metaphors of Japanese emotions.

For C1 learners, '胸を撫で下ろす' should be part of your active descriptive vocabulary. You should be able to weave it into complex narratives. You might also notice how it is used in news reports to summarize public sentiment. Pay attention to the adverbs that often accompany it, like 'yoyaku' (finally), 'omowazu' (unintentionally), or 'kokoro kara' (from the heart). You should also be aware of its place within the wider system of 'mune' idioms (mune ga sawagu, mune o haru, mune ni te o ateru) and be able to distinguish the subtle emotional shifts each one represents. It is a key phrase for achieving native-like fluency in emotional expression.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of '胸を撫で下ろす'. You understand its historical and cultural roots as a physical gesture translated into language. You can use it with perfect timing to convey deep emotional resolution. You might even use it ironically or in complex psychological descriptions where relief is mixed with other emotions. You are comfortable seeing it in high-level literature where the author might play with the imagery of the 'chest' and 'stroking' to create a specific atmosphere. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker, knowing exactly when 'hotto suru' is too light and 'ando suru' is too stiff.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

胸を撫で下ろす in 30 Seconds

A vivid Japanese idiom meaning 'to breathe a sigh of relief' after anxiety.
Literally 'to stroke down the chest,' symbolizing the calming of a racing heart.
Commonly used in past tense (nadeoroshita) after hearing good news or avoiding disaster.
A higher-level alternative to the common 'hotto suru' or 'anshin suru'.

The Japanese idiom 胸を撫で下ろす (Mune o nadeorosu) is a vivid metaphorical expression that translates literally to "to stroke down one's chest." In a figurative sense, it describes the profound feeling of relief that washes over someone after a period of intense anxiety, worry, or suspense. Imagine a situation where your heart is racing, perhaps feeling like it is jumping up into your throat due to fear or stress. When the danger passes or the problem is resolved, you might instinctively place a hand on your chest and make a downward motion to 'calm' your heart. This physical action is the origin of the phrase. It is primarily used when a specific concern or a potentially negative outcome has been successfully avoided or resolved. It is not just about being 'happy'; it is specifically about the dissipation of tension.

Literal Meaning: To stroke (撫でる) down (下ろす) the chest (胸).
Emotional Nuance: A transition from high-state anxiety to a state of peace and safety.

無事だと聞いて、胸を撫で下ろした。(I felt relieved to hear that they were safe.)

This phrase is incredibly common in both literature and daily conversation. It appears frequently in news reports when a missing person is found or when a natural disaster ends with less damage than anticipated. In personal life, you might use it when your child comes home late but safe, or when a medical test result comes back negative for a disease. The key is the 'relief' aspect. If you are just happy because you won the lottery, you wouldn't typically use this phrase unless you were previously in deep financial trouble and the win saved you from ruin. It requires a preceding 'weight' on the heart.

手術が成功したと聞き、家族全員が胸を撫で下ろした。(Hearing the surgery was a success, the whole family breathed a sigh of relief.)

Common Contexts: Health scares, academic results, safety of loved ones, financial stability, and project deadlines.

Culturally, Japanese communication often emphasizes the physical manifestation of emotions. Phrases like 'mune ga itai' (my chest hurts/heart aches) or 'mune ga odoru' (my chest dances/excited) are part of a larger family of 'mune' (chest) idioms. 'Mune o nadeorosu' is the resolution of these physical tensions. It suggests a return to homeostasis. In professional settings, using this phrase shows that you were deeply invested in the outcome, demonstrating a level of sincerity and care that is highly valued in Japanese society.

Grammatically, 胸を撫で下ろす functions as a verb phrase. The verb part is 'nadeorosu', which is a compound verb consisting of 'naderu' (to stroke/rub) and 'orosu' (to lower/put down). Because it ends in a 'u' sound (su), it follows the conjugation rules of Group 1 (Godan) verbs. In most practical applications, it is used in the past tense (撫で下ろした) because the relief is felt after the news is received or the situation has concluded.

落とした財布が見つかって、胸を撫で下ろしました。(I breathed a sigh of relief when the wallet I dropped was found.)

The structure often follows the pattern: [Reason/Cause] + [Te-form verb or 'node/kara'], [Mune o nadeorosu]. For example, 'Kekka o kiite (Hearing the result), mune o nadeoroshita.' This provides the necessary context of why the relief is occurring. You can also use it in the present tense to describe a recurring feeling or a general state, but this is less common than the past tense or the 'te-form' (撫で下ろして).

Grammar Tip: Always use the particle 'o' (を) after 'mune'. Using 'ga' (が) would change the meaning to 'the chest strokes down,' which is nonsensical.

When used in formal writing, such as business emails or reports, it maintains its form but might be coupled with polite endings. For instance, 'Keiyaku ga muko ni naranai to wari, mune o nadeorosu omoi desu' (Knowing the contract won't be voided, I feel a sense of relief). Here, 'omoi desu' (is the feeling) adds a layer of formal distance and politeness.

テストの点数が思ったより良くて、胸を撫で下ろした。(The test score was better than I thought, so I breathed a sigh of relief.)

It is also possible to use this phrase to describe others. 'Kare wa mune o nadeoroshita' (He breathed a sigh of relief). This is common in third-person narratives in novels. It provides a visual cue for the reader to understand the character's internal emotional state without the author having to explicitly state 'He felt relieved.'

You will encounter 胸を撫で下ろす in various media and real-life scenarios. One of the most common places is in news broadcasting. When a hostage situation is resolved without casualties, or a major typhoon misses a heavily populated area, the news anchor might say, 'Jumin wa mune o nadeoroshite imasu' (Residents are breathing a sigh of relief). It captures the collective emotion of a community that was on edge.

犯人が逮捕され、近隣住民は胸を撫で下ろしている。(The culprit was arrested, and nearby residents are breathing a sigh of relief.)

In the world of sports, this phrase is used frequently by commentators. If a star player is injured but the medical report says it is minor, or if a team narrowly avoids relegation in the final game of the season, the fans and management are said to 'mune o nadeorosu'. It highlights the high-stakes nature of the environment where every outcome can cause significant stress.

Daily Life: Parents speaking about their children's safety or academic progress.
Business: After passing a difficult audit or securing a vital partnership.

In literature and manga, this phrase is a staple. It is used to show the climax of a suspenseful scene. When the protagonist finds the 'off' switch for a bomb with one second left, the text will almost certainly describe them as 'mune o nadeorosu'. It acts as a punctuation mark for the end of a conflict. Even in anime, you might see a character physically perform the action—placing their hand on their chest and sighing—while the dialogue or internal monologue uses the phrase.

Finally, you will hear it in the workplace. Japanese work culture involves a lot of responsibility and potential for error. When a mistake is caught before it reaches the client, or when a presentation goes surprisingly well despite poor preparation, colleagues will share this sentiment. It builds camaraderie through shared relief, acknowledging that the 'danger' was real and that they are all glad it is over.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with 胸を撫で下ろす is using it for general happiness. For example, if you receive a birthday gift, you are 'ureshii' (happy), but you wouldn't use 'mune o nadeorosu' unless you were worried that no one would remember your birthday and were feeling anxious about it. The relief must be a response to a specific negative potentiality.

❌ ケーキを食べて、胸を撫で下ろした。(Incorrect: I ate cake and felt relieved.)

Another mistake is confusing it with other 'mune' idioms. For instance, 'mune o utareru' means to be deeply moved or touched by something (like a beautiful song), while 'mune o haru' means to be proud or confident. Using 'nadeorosu' in these contexts would be confusing to a native speaker. It specifically refers to the calming of an anxious heart, not an inspired or proud one.

Grammatical Error: Confusing 'nadeorosu' (transitive) with potential intransitive forms. Stick to the set phrase.

Learners also sometimes forget the particle 'o' (を). In casual speech, particles are often dropped, but in this specific idiom, dropping 'o' makes it sound incomplete or like a mistake rather than natural casual speech. It's best to keep the particle to maintain the rhythmic flow of the idiom. Furthermore, ensure you are using the correct kanji for 'nade' (撫). It is a relatively complex kanji that is often written in hiragana (なで) in casual texts, but in formal writing, the kanji is expected.

Lastly, some learners try to use it to describe the relief of others in a way that sounds like they are 'making' them relieved. 'Mune o nadeorosaseru' (to make someone stroke their chest) is technically possible but very rare. It is much more natural to say 'Anshin saseru' (to make someone feel at ease). This idiom is primarily a description of an internal state or an observation of someone else's state, rather than a result you actively force upon others.

While 胸を撫で下ろす is a fantastic idiom, there are several other ways to express relief in Japanese, depending on the level of formality and the specific situation. The most common synonym is 安堵する (Ando suru). This is a more formal, academic, or literary term. You will see it in newspapers and formal reports. It lacks the physical imagery of 'stroking the chest' but conveys the exact same meaning of being at peace after worry.

安堵する (Ando suru): Formal relief. Used in news: 'Keisatsu wa anshite ando shita' (The police were relieved).
ホッとする (Hotto suru): Onomatopoeic and casual. 'Hotto' represents the sound of a sigh. Perfect for daily conversation.

Another related phrase is 肩の荷が下りる (Kata no ni ga oriru), which means 'a load is lifted from one's shoulders.' This is used when a long-term responsibility or a heavy burden is finally finished. While 'mune o nadeorosu' is about the end of anxiety, 'kata no ni ga oriru' is about the end of duty. They often happen at the same time, but the nuance is slightly different. For example, graduating from university might make you feel both.

大きなプロジェクトが終わり、肩の荷が下りた。(The big project ended, and a weight was lifted from my shoulders.)

If you want to focus on the feeling of safety, you can use 安心する (Anshin suru). This is the most versatile word for 'to feel relieved' or 'to feel safe.' It can be used for both small and large things. If you are a beginner, 'anshin suru' is your best friend. As you reach B1 level and above, using 'mune o nadeorosu' shows a much higher command of the language's idiomatic richness and emotional depth.

In summary, choose 'mune o nadeorosu' when you want to emphasize the physical sensation of calming down after a scare. Choose 'ando suru' for formal contexts, and 'hotto suru' for casual ones. Understanding these subtle differences will make your Japanese sound much more natural and expressive.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

Japanese has many idioms involving the 'chest' (mune) because the chest was historically considered the seat of emotions, similar to how the 'heart' is used in English.

Pronunciation Guide

UK mune o nade-orosu

US mu-neh oh nah-deh-oh-roh-su

Japanese is a pitch-accent language. 'Mune' starts low and rises. 'Nadeorosu' has a relatively flat pitch in many dialects but typically drops at the end.

Rhymes With

Fune (boat) Mune (chest) Tsune (usual) Hone (bone) Tane (seed) Kane (money) Yane (roof) Ame (rain)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'mune' as 'moon'.
Over-emphasizing the particle 'o'.
Pausing too long between 'mune' and 'o'.
Pronouncing 'nade' as 'nay-dee'.
Treating 'orosu' as four separate English-style stressed syllables.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Kanji for 'nade' (撫) is difficult but the phrase is common.

Writing 4/5

Writing the kanji correctly requires practice.

Speaking 2/5

The phrase flows naturally once memorized.

Listening 2/5

Distinctive sound makes it easy to catch.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

胸 (Chest) 撫でる (Stroke) 下ろす (Lower) 安心 (Relief) 心配 (Worry)

Learn Next

安堵 (Formal relief) 肩の荷が下りる (Weight off shoulders) 肝を冷やす (Terrified) 胸を張る (Proud)

Advanced

杞憂 (Needless worry) 物思いに沈む (Lost in thought) 溜飲が下がる (Feeling satisfied/vented)

Grammar to Know

Compound Verbs (V1 + V2)

撫でる + 下ろす = 撫で下ろす

Te-form for Reason

見つかって、胸を撫で下ろした。

Transitive vs Intransitive

胸を撫で下ろす (Transitive idiom)

Godan Verb Conjugation

撫で下ろさない、撫で下ろします、撫で下ろす、撫で下ろせば...

Adverbial usage of Idioms

胸を撫で下ろしながら、お茶を飲んだ。

Examples by Level

さいふがありました。むねをなでおろしました。

I found my wallet. I breathed a sigh of relief.

Simple past tense usage.

テストがおわって、むねをなでおろした。

The test ended, and I felt relieved.

Using 'te-form' for reason.

おかあさんがきて、むねをなでおろした。

Mom came, and I felt relieved.

Relief after waiting.

びょうきじゃないです。むねをなでおろしました。

I am not sick. I breathed a sigh of relief.

Polite form 'nadeoroshimasu'.

いぬがみつかって、むねをなでおろした。

The dog was found, and I felt relieved.

Relief after loss.

でんしゃにまにあった。むねをなでおろした。

I made it to the train. I felt relieved.

Relief after a rush.

あめがやんで、むねをなでおろした。

The rain stopped, and I felt relieved.

Relief about weather.

みんなぶじで、むねをなでおろしました。

Everyone is safe, I felt relieved.

Collective relief.

試験の結果を見て、胸を撫で下ろした。

Looking at the exam results, I breathed a sigh of relief.

Using kanji for the first time.

パスポートが見つかり、胸を撫で下ろしました。

I found my passport and felt relieved.

Relief in a travel context.

迷子の子供が見つかって、親は胸を撫で下ろした。

The lost child was found, and the parents breathed a sigh of relief.

Third-person usage.

雨が降らなくて、胸を撫で下ろしました。

It didn't rain, so I felt relieved.

Negative reason (didn't rain).

間違いがなくて、胸を撫で下ろした。

There were no mistakes, so I breathed a sigh of relief.

Professional relief.

友達が元気になって、胸を撫で下ろした。

My friend got better, and I felt relieved.

Relief for someone else.

鍵が開いて、胸を撫で下ろしました。

The key opened (the door), and I felt relieved.

Relief from a small struggle.

ようやく仕事が終わって、胸を撫で下ろした。

Finally the work finished, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

Use of 'yoyaku' (finally).

手術が無事に成功したと聞き、ようやく胸を撫で下ろした。

Hearing that the surgery was a success, I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Standard B1 complex sentence.

大きなミスを免れて、チーム全員が胸を撫で下ろした。

Having avoided a major mistake, the whole team breathed a sigh of relief.

Use of 'manugareru' (avoid).

台風の進路がそれて、住民たちは胸を撫で下ろしている。

The typhoon's path shifted, and the residents are breathing a sigh of relief.

Present progressive for ongoing state.

合格通知が届いた瞬間、彼は胸を撫で下ろした。

The moment the acceptance letter arrived, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Use of 'shunkan' (moment).

締め切りに間に合いそうで、ひとまず胸を撫で下ろした。

It looks like I'll make the deadline, so for now, I've breathed a sigh of relief.

Use of 'hitomazu' (for now).

飛行機が予定通り着陸し、乗客は胸を撫で下ろした。

The plane landed as scheduled, and the passengers breathed a sigh of relief.

Relief after travel anxiety.

疑いが晴れて、彼はやっと胸を撫で下ろすことができた。

The suspicion was cleared, and he was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.

Potential form 'koto ga dekita'.

借金をすべて返し終わり、彼女は胸を撫で下ろした。

Having finished paying back all the debt, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Relief after a long-term burden.

最悪の事態は回避できたようで、関係者一同、胸を撫で下ろしております。

It seems the worst-case scenario was avoided, and everyone involved is breathing a sigh of relief.

Humble/Formal 'orimasu'.

絶滅危惧種の生存が確認され、研究チームは胸を撫で下ろした。

The survival of the endangered species was confirmed, and the research team breathed a sigh of relief.

Academic/Scientific context.

法案が修正されたことで、反対派もひとまず胸を撫で下ろした。

With the bill being amended, the opposition also breathed a sigh of relief for the time being.

Political context.

サーバーの復旧が完了し、エンジニアたちはようやく胸を撫で下ろした。

The server recovery was completed, and the engineers finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Technical context.

厳しい冬を越し、村人たちは胸を撫で下ろして春を迎えた。

Having survived a harsh winter, the villagers welcomed spring with a sigh of relief.

Literary style.

検査の結果に異常がないと分かり、彼女は心から胸を撫で下ろした。

Finding no abnormalities in the test results, she breathed a sigh of relief from the bottom of her heart.

Intensifier 'kokoro kara'.

倒産の危機を脱し、社長は安堵の表情で胸を撫で下ろした。

Having escaped the danger of bankruptcy, the president breathed a sigh of relief with an expression of ease.

Combining with 'ando' (relief).

子供の熱がようやく下がり、母親は胸を撫で下ろした。

The child's fever finally went down, and the mother breathed a sigh of relief.

Parental relief.

金融市場の混乱が収束の兆しを見せ、投資家たちは一様に胸を撫で下ろした。

Signs of the financial market turmoil subsiding appeared, and investors all breathed a sigh of relief.

Formal/Economic report style.

外交交渉が土壇場で妥結に至り、世界中の人々が胸を撫で下ろしたに違いない。

Diplomatic negotiations reached a settlement at the last minute, and people worldwide must have breathed a sigh of relief.

Speculative 'ni chigai nai'.

長年連れ添った伴侶の無事を知らされ、老紳士は深く胸を撫で下ろした。

Informed of the safety of his companion of many years, the old gentleman breathed a deep sigh of relief.

High-level literary vocabulary.

プロジェクトの存続が決定し、首の皮一枚でつながったメンバーは胸を撫で下ろした。

The continuation of the project was decided, and the members, who had hung by a thread, breathed a sigh of relief.

Use of idiom 'kubi no kawa ichimai'.

未曾有の災害の中、家族全員の生存が確認できたことは、まさに胸を撫で下ろす思いであった。

In the midst of an unprecedented disaster, being able to confirm the survival of all family members was truly a feeling of great relief.

Noun phrase 'mune o nadeorosu omoi'.

冤罪が晴れ、法廷を出た瞬間の彼の表情は、まさに胸を撫で下ろすという言葉そのものだった。

His innocence was proven, and the moment he stepped out of court, his expression was the very definition of breathing a sigh of relief.

Metalinguistic usage.

懸念されていた副作用も見られず、新薬の治験担当者は胸を撫で下ろしている。

No feared side effects were seen, and those in charge of the clinical trials for the new drug are breathing a sigh of relief.

Medical/Professional context.

絶体絶命のピンチを切り抜け、主人公は暗闇の中で静かに胸を撫で下ろした。

Having overcome a desperate situation, the protagonist quietly breathed a sigh of relief in the darkness.

Narrative pacing.

国家存亡の危機を辛うじて回避し、指導者は国民の安寧を願いつつ胸を撫で下ろした。

Having barely avoided a crisis of national existence, the leader breathed a sigh of relief while praying for the people's peace.

Highly formal/Historical style.

幾多の困難を乗り越え、ようやく悲願が達成されたとき、彼は万感の思いで胸を撫で下ろした。

When his long-cherished wish was finally achieved after overcoming numerous difficulties, he breathed a sigh of relief with a heart full of emotion.

Use of 'bankan no omoi'.

その一報がもたらされたとき、張り詰めていた緊張の糸が切れ、一同は一斉に胸を撫で下ろした。

When that news was brought, the thread of tension that had been stretched tight snapped, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief at once.

Metaphorical 'tension thread'.

彼女の潔白を証明する唯一の証拠が見つかり、弁護団は一様に胸を撫で下ろす結果となった。

The sole piece of evidence proving her innocence was found, resulting in the defense team all breathing a sigh of relief.

Formal resultative structure.

長引く不況の出口が見え始め、経済界全体がようやく胸を撫で下ろしつつある。

The exit from the prolonged recession is starting to become visible, and the entire economic world is finally beginning to breathe a sigh of relief.

Ongoing transition 'tsutsu aru'.

手術室のランプが消え、医師の穏やかな表情を見た瞬間、私は崩れ落ちるように胸を撫で下ろした。

The operating room light went out, and the moment I saw the doctor's calm expression, I breathed a sigh of relief as if collapsing.

Descriptive adverbial 'kuzureochiru you ni'.

事態の推移を固唾を呑んで見守っていた観衆は、逆転勝利の瞬間に胸を撫で下ろした。

The audience, who had been watching the development of the situation with bated breath, breathed a sigh of relief at the moment of the comeback victory.

Use of 'kodu o nonde'.

人命救助の知らせに、救助隊員たちは疲労困憊の中にも胸を撫で下ろす安堵の色を浮かべた。

At the news of the life-saving rescue, the rescue workers showed a look of relief, breathing a sigh of relief despite their exhaustion.

Complex emotional description.

Common Collocations

ようやく胸を撫で下ろす

思わず胸を撫で下ろす

深く胸を撫で下ろす

安堵して胸を撫で下ろす

一様に胸を撫で下ろす

ひとまず胸を撫で下ろす

胸を撫で下ろす思い

胸を撫で下ろす表情

心から胸を撫で下ろす

静かに胸を撫で下ろす

Common Phrases

胸を撫で下ろす思い

— A feeling of relief. Used to describe the internal state formally.

合格を知り、胸を撫で下ろす思いでした。

胸を撫で下ろしたのも束の間

— Relieved only for a short moment before another problem occurred.

胸を撫で下ろしたのも束の間、次のトラブルが起きた。

関係者一同胸を撫で下ろす

— Everyone involved feels relieved. Common in formal reports.

イベントが無事に終わり、関係者一同胸を撫で下ろした。

ようやくのことで胸を撫で下ろす

— Finally, with great difficulty, being able to feel relieved.

ようやくのことで胸を撫で下ろすことができた。

胸を撫で下ろす暇もない

— No time to even feel relieved (due to being busy or more problems).

胸を撫で下ろす暇もなく、次の仕事に取り掛かった。

思わず胸を撫で下ろす

— Unintentionally breathing a sigh of relief.

ニュースを聞いて、思わず胸を撫で下ろした。

安堵の胸を撫で下ろす

— A redundant but common way to say 'breathing a sigh of relief'.

安堵の胸を撫で下ろした。

胸を撫で下ろすような気持ち

— A feeling like stroking down one's chest.

胸を撫d下ろすような気持ちで結果を待った。

誰の目にも胸を撫で下ろしているのが分かった

— It was obvious to everyone that they were relieved.

彼の様子から、誰の目にも胸を撫で下ろしているのが分かった。

胸を撫で下ろすに十分な理由

— A sufficient reason to feel relieved.

それは、彼が胸を撫で下ろすに十分な理由だった。

Often Confused With

胸を撫で下ろす vs 胸を張る

This means to be proud, not relieved.

胸を撫で下ろす vs 胸を打つ

This means to be moved/touched, not relieved.

胸を撫で下ろす vs 肩を落とす

This means to be disappointed/depressed (shoulders drop).

Idioms & Expressions

"胸を撫で下ろす"

— To feel relieved after anxiety.

無事を確認して胸を撫で下ろした。

Neutral

"胸が躍る"

— To be excited or look forward to something.

旅行を前に胸が躍る。

Neutral

"胸を借りる"

— To practice with someone more skilled than yourself.

先輩の胸を借りて練習する。

Sports/Martial Arts

"胸を張る"

— To be proud or confident.

成功を胸を張って報告する。

Neutral

"胸に刻む"

— To engrave in one's heart (never forget).

教訓を胸に刻む。

Formal

"胸が痛む"

— To feel pained or guilty.

嘘をついて胸が痛む。

Neutral

"胸を打つ"

— To be deeply moved or touched.

彼の言葉が胸を打った。

Neutral

"胸に手を当てる"

— To reflect sincerely on one's actions.

胸に手を当てて考えてみなさい。

Moral/Reflective

"胸の内を明かす"

— To reveal one's true feelings or secrets.

親友に胸の内を明かした。

Personal

"胸が一杯になる"

— To be full of emotion (tears, joy, etc.).

感謝で胸が一杯になった。

Neutral

Easily Confused

胸を撫で下ろす vs 安堵する

Same meaning.

安堵する is formal/written; 胸を撫で下ろす is idiomatic/visual.

ニュースでは「安堵した」とよく言います。

胸を撫で下ろす vs ホッとする

Same meaning.

ホッとする is casual/onomatopoeic; 胸を撫で下ろす is more descriptive/serious.

コーヒーを飲んでホッとした。

胸を撫で下ろす vs 安心する

Similar meaning.

安心する is a general state of feeling safe; 胸を撫で下ろす is the action of feeling relief after worry.

お守りを持っていると安心する。

胸を撫で下ろす vs 胸がすく

Both involve 'chest' and 'relief'.

胸がすく is relief from frustration or revenge (feeling refreshed); 胸を撫で下ろす is relief from anxiety.

悪者が倒されて胸がすいた。

胸を撫で下ろす vs 肩の荷が下りる

Both mean a burden is gone.

肩の荷が下りる is specifically about responsibility/duty; 胸を撫で下ろす is about anxiety/fear.

大役を終えて肩の荷が下りた。

Sentence Patterns

[Reason]て、胸を撫で下ろしました。

試験が終わって、胸を撫で下ろしました。

[Reason]と聞いて、ようやく胸を撫で下ろした。

無事だと聞いて、ようやく胸を撫で下ろした。

思わず、胸を撫で下ろした。

合格通知を見て、思わず胸を撫で下ろした。

胸を撫で下ろす思いです。

事故がなくて、胸を撫で下ろす思いです。

一様に胸を撫で下ろしている。

住民は一様に胸を撫で下ろしている。

胸を撫で下ろしたのも束の間、...

胸を撫で下ろしたのも束の間、新たな問題が発覚した。

まさに胸を撫で下ろすという言葉そのものだった。

彼の安堵した顔は、まさに胸を撫で下ろすという言葉そのものだった。

万感の思いで胸を撫で下ろした。

長年の夢が叶い、彼は万感の思いで胸を撫で下ろした。

Word Family

Nouns

胸 (Mune - Chest)

撫で (Nade - Stroking)

下ろし (Oroshi - Lowering)

Verbs

撫でる (Naderu - To stroke)

下ろす (Orosu - To lower)

撫で下ろす (Nadeorosu - To stroke down)

安堵 (Ando - Relief)

安心 (Anshin - Peace of mind)

溜息 (Tameiki - Sigh)

緊張 (Kincho - Tension)

緩和 (Kanwa - Relaxation)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in news, literature, and middle-to-high level conversation.

Common Mistakes

Using it for 'happy' surprises. → Using it only for 'relief' after 'worry'.
If you get a surprise gift, use 'odoroku' or 'ureshii', not this phrase.
Using the 'ga' particle. → Using the 'o' particle (胸を).
The idiom is fixed with the object particle 'o'.
Using it for small things. → Using 'hotto suru' for minor relief.
It sounds overly dramatic to use this for finding a lost pen.
Confusing it with 'mune o haru'. → Using 'mune o nadeorosu' for relief.
'Mune o haru' means to be proud (puff out chest).
Incorrect verb conjugation. → Conjugating it as a Godan verb (nadeoroshita).
It follows the 'su' verb pattern like 'hanasu'.

Tips

Kanji Practice

Practice the kanji 撫 (stroke). It has the 'hand' radical on the left, which helps you remember the physical action.

Natural Flow

Say it as one unit: 'mune-o-nadeorosu'. Don't break it up too much.

Variety

Mix it with 'hotto suru' and 'ando suru' in your stories to avoid repeating the same word.

Tense

Remember that 90% of the time, you will use the past tense 'nadeoroshita'.

Physical Gesture

Observe Japanese people in movies; you'll see them actually stroke their chest when they are relieved!

News Reports

Listen for this phrase in weather reports after a storm warning is cancelled.

Literature

Novels use this phrase to signal the end of a suspenseful chapter.

Emotional Weight

Use it for things that truly mattered to you, like health or big exams.

Building Rapport

Using this in business shows you were 'on the same page' regarding the stress of a situation.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of your heart jumping up to your throat when you are scared. To feel better, you have to 'stroke it back down' (nade-orosu) into your chest (mune).

Visual Association

Imagine a cat whose fur is standing up because it's scared. You stroke the fur down to make the cat calm. Your heart is the cat.

Word Web

Relief Chest Stroke Down Anxiety Safety Heart Calm

Challenge

Try to use this phrase in your diary next time you finish a difficult task or solve a problem that was bothering you.

Word Origin

The phrase originates from the physical gesture of placing one's hand on the chest and rubbing downward to calm a racing heart. This gesture has been observed in Japanese culture for centuries as a natural response to the end of fear.

Original meaning: To physically stroke the chest to slow down heart palpitations.

Japonic / Japanese Idiom.

Cultural Context

It is a very safe and positive phrase to use in almost any context.

The closest equivalent is 'to breathe a sigh of relief' or 'to have a weight lifted off one's chest.'

Commonly found in Natsume Soseki's novels. Used in almost every disaster-themed anime (e.g., Tokyo Magnitude 8.0). Frequently used by news anchors during the 2011 earthquake recovery reports.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Finding something lost

見つかってよかった
どこにあるか心配だった
ようやく一安心だ
胸を撫で下ろした

Exam results

合格して嬉しい
落ちるかと思った
やっと終わった
胸を撫で下ろした

Medical news

異常なし
結果が心配だった
健康が一番
胸を撫で下ろした

Travel safety

無事に到着
連絡が取れた
心配いらない
胸を撫で下ろした

Work deadlines

間に合った
ミスがなかった
プロジェクト成功
胸を撫で下ろした

Conversation Starters

"テストの結果はどうだった？私は合格して胸を撫で下ろしたよ。"

"昨日、財布をなくしたって言ってたけど、見つかって胸を撫で下ろした？"

"台風が来なくて、みんな胸を撫で下ろしているね。"

"手術が成功したと聞いて、私も胸を撫で下ろしました。"

"締め切りに間に合って、ようやく胸を撫で下ろせるね。"

Journal Prompts

今日、あなたが「胸を撫で下ろした」出来事は何ですか？詳しく書いてください。

最近、一番心配だったことは何ですか？それが解決したとき、どう感じましたか？

「胸を撫で下ろす」と「ホッとする」の違いを、自分の経験を使って説明してください。

誰かのために「胸を撫で下ろした」ことがありますか？その時の状況を書いてください。

もし大切なものをなくして、それが見つかったら、どんな風に「胸を撫で下ろし」ますか？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It's better not to. This phrase implies a significant amount of prior worry. For small things, 'hotto shita' is much more natural.

In formal writing, yes. In casual texts or emails, people often write it as 'なでおろす' to make it easier to read.

It is always 'Mune o' (胸を) because you are the one doing the 'stroking' (action) to your chest.

Yes, you can say 'Kare wa mune o nadeoroshita' to describe someone else's relief.

Yes, 'Mune o nadeoroshimashita' is the standard polite version used in daily life and business.

Yes, especially when a problem has been resolved. It shows you were serious about the issue.

There isn't one exact opposite, but 'Mune ga sawagu' (heart racing with anxiety) describes the state before the relief.

No, it's a metaphor. You don't actually have to move your hand, though some people do instinctively.

'Anshin' is a noun/verb for 'peace of mind'. 'Mune o nadeorosu' is a more poetic way to describe the moment that peace arrives.

It is gender-neutral and used equally by everyone.