11245
I've tried Googling for Japanese/Japanese dictionary definitions of this
phrase, but can only find usages so far, which haven't helped.

More context:

"俺たち職人の腕が光る"

I think from context that the speaker is saying "so that us artisans do well /
look good / show how good we are", or something in that area, but dictionaries
haven't been helpful so far - hoping Japanese StackExchange can solve the
riddle!

Thanks.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-17T02:34:12.203
11242
2013-02-17T13:37:30.897
792
question
meaning phrases
What does 腕が光る mean?
There are two things to define in `腕が光る`:

  * `腕`, which can mean skill or ability ([大辞林 sense 3](http://dic.yahoo.co.jp/dsearch?enc=UTF-8&stype=0&dtype=0&dname=0ss&p=%E8%85%95))
  * `光る`, which can mean to stand out as superior [in ability, etc.] ([大辞林 sense 3](http://dic.yahoo.co.jp/dsearch?enc=UTF-8&stype=0&dtype=0&dname=0ss&p=%E5%85%89%E3%82%8B))

The latter is, I think, figurative in the same sense as English
[shine](http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/shine) ("To
distinguish oneself in an activity or a field; excel"). Put the two words
together with `が`, and you have a phrase meaning something like "to stand out
as superior in skill or ability".

I'm basing this entirely on dictionary entries, by the way. I think my
interpretation is right (which is why I'm posting it as an answer), but if
I've made a mistake, I would appreciate it if someone pointed it out :-)
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-17T13:37:30.897
11245
2013-02-17T13:37:30.897
11242
answer