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Japanese

かぎをにぎる
Meaning: to hold the key; to determine the outcome
Part of Speech: Verb, Expression

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Verb inflections

Verb inflections
Form Affirmative Negative
Present 鍵を握る 鍵を握ない
Polite 鍵を握ます 鍵を握ません
Past 鍵を握た 鍵を握なかった
Polite + Past 鍵を握ました 鍵を握ませんでした
Te-form 鍵を握て 鍵を握なくて
Potential 鍵を握られる 鍵を握られない
Passive 鍵を握られる 鍵を握られない
Causative 鍵を握させる 鍵を握させない
Imperative 鍵を握ろ 鍵を握るな

Example

この試合の勝敗は、後半の守備が鍵を握る。
The defense in the second half will determine the outcome of this game.

Usage Notes

This expression describes a person, factor, or action that has a decisive influence on an outcome.

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