4

In the Dead Tube manga I found this sentence:

いいでしょ…　たまには自分の命を天秤に乗せたって

The protagonist is asking a group of people who usually don't risk their life to participate in a risky game. What is the meaning of 天秤に乗せる? Is it a fixed expression? Considering the context, I guess it could be translated as "to risk, to put on the line", is it correct? Please let me know if you need more context. Thank you for your help!

|improve this question
  • 1
    Not sure if this is related, but there is following set phrase: 天秤に掛ける - (1) to compare and contrast two alternatives; to weigh the relative merits of A and B; to weigh one's options; (2) to try to have it both ways; to try to sit on two stools – sklott Nov 9 '18 at 6:41
2

天秤に乗せる/かける is usually a figurative way to say "to compare the importance (of two important things)". For example you can say 命とお金とを天秤に乗せる, etc. In your case, it may be used in the sense of "to risk (one's life)", but that's not a standard way to use this idiom.

|improve this answer
1

jisho defines 天秤 as "(balance) scales" and 乗せる main meaning is "to place on (something)​", so 自分の命を天秤に乗せる probably means "to put one's own life in the balance"

|improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.