開き直る (hirakinaoru): How the Japanese 'turn the tables' when cornered

Have you ever been in a situation where you point out someone's mistake, and instead of a sincere apology, you're met with a completely defiant attitude? If so, you may have witnessed the classic moment of 開き直る (hirakinaoru). 😱

This is an extremely interesting and 'real-life' word that describes a psychological state that textbooks can hardly teach you.

What is 開き直る?

Simply put, 開き直る is the act of suddenly changing one's attitude from defensive and ashamed to aggressive and defiant when criticized or cornered.

Just imagine this:

• Initially (before 開き直る): "Uh... yes... I'm sorry... Because... but..." 😅 (A mumbling attitude, trying to make excuses).
• The 'table-turning' moment (開き直る): "Yeah, I DID IT! SO WHAT?" 😠 (A defiant attitude, admitting but with a challenging look).

That's 開き直る! It feels as if they think, "Well, I'm getting scolded anyway, I have nothing left to lose, might as well be blunt!"

See the examples and you'll get it!

1. At the company 🏢

Boss: 「田中君、このミス、どうしてこうなったか説明してくれる？」 (Tanaka, can you explain why this mistake happened?) Tanaka (initially): 「あ、すみません、えーと、ちょっと確認不足で…」 (Ah, I'm sorry, it's because I didn't check carefully enough...) Boss (continues to press): 「確認不足だけじゃないだろう！何度も同じミスを…」 (It's not just about not checking carefully! You've made the same mistake so many times...) Tanaka (開き直る): 「はい、僕のミスです！どうせ僕が全部悪いんでしょ！」 (Yes, it's my mistake! It's all my fault anyway, right!)

👉 Here, Tanaka has switched from a state of admitting fault to 'laying his cards on the table' in a defiant manner.

2. In daily life 👫

Wife: 「あなた、また飲み会でお金使いすぎたんじゃない？」 (You overspent at a drinking party again, didn't you?) Husband (initially): 「いや、そんなことないよ。付き合いで仕方なく…」 (No, that's not it. It was for work, I couldn't help it...) Wife (presents evidence): 「でもレシートには二次会、三次会って書いてあるわよ！」 (But the receipt says second party, third party!) Husband (開き直る): 「ああ、そうだよ！たまにはいいじゃないか！俺だってストレスが溜まるんだ！」 (Yeah, THAT'S RIGHT! What's wrong with it once in a while! I get stressed out too!)

The key point 💡

開き直る usually carries a negative nuance. It shows a person who lacks sincere remorse and is somewhat childish when facing their own mistakes. However, knowing this word will help you "read" the very subtle psychological shifts in daily communication in Japan.

Next time you see someone who is fumbling suddenly become defiant, you can mutter to yourself: 「あ、こいつ、開き直ったな…」 (Ah, this person has 'turned the tables'...). And with that, you've understood a deeper layer of Japanese behavioral culture! 😉