むきになる

Frequency rank: 30,783. – 31,057. (for form ムキになる: 17,727. – 17,794.)

expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.); Godan verb with 'ru' ending

to become serious; to take something seriously (joke, teasing); to become irritated or angry (usu. at something trivial); to get worked upword usually written using kana alone

Forms

むきになるFrequency rank: 30,783. – 31,057.
向きになる【むきになる】【ムキになる】
向きに成る【むきになる】【ムキになる】
ムキになるFrequency rank: 17,727. – 17,794.

Generated definitions (experimental)

to become serious; to take something seriously (joke, teasing)

This meaning indicates a shift in attitude where someone stops being playful or lighthearted and starts to treat a situation with earnestness or seriousness, often in response to teasing or a joke.

、。

He suddenly became serious after being joked with.

、。

She argued back seriously after her friend said something jokingly.

to become irritated or angry (usu. at something trivial)

This meaning refers to an emotional reaction, typically about something minor, where an individual overreacts or shows displeasure.

。

He got irritated over something small.

。

Please don't get worked up over a minor issue.

to get worked up

This meaning captures the essence of becoming overly excited or emotionally involved, often leading to an outburst or heightened state of agitation.

。

She was all worked up about the exam results.

、。

When everyone said that to him, he got all worked up.

Generated collocations (experimental)

to become serious; to take something seriouslyto argue seriouslyto take on a challenge seriouslyto get angry over something trivialto take a joke seriouslyto tackle something seriouslyto get worked up over small mattersto become irritatedto take a joke to heartto insist on winning seriously