1To press something or someone down to keep it from moving; to hold or pin something down.
風で飛ばされないように本で紙を押さえた。
I held the papers down with a book so they wouldn't blow away.
倒れそうな棚を押さえて手伝った。
I helped by holding the shelf that was about to fall.
彼は興奮した犬の口をやさしく押さえた。
He gently held the excited dog's mouth closed.
2To cover or press a part of the body with the hand or something else (e.g., to hold a painful spot).
胸が苦しいときは手で胸を押さえて深呼吸してください。
If your chest feels tight, hold your chest with your hand and take deep breaths.
けがをしたら出血を押さえることが大切だ。
When injured, it's important to stop the bleeding by applying pressure.
頭痛がひどくて、こめかみを両手で押さえた。
My headache was so bad that I held my temples with both hands.
3To obtain or secure something (or seize/capture it); to catch or arrest someone.
人気の限定商品を押さえておいた。
I reserved the limited popular item (made sure I could get it).
警察は容疑者を押さえて取り調べを始めた。
The police apprehended the suspect and began questioning him.
彼女はセール初日に欲しかったバッグをいち早く押さえた。
She quickly snagged the bag she wanted on the first day of the sale.
4To grasp or comprehend a point or key idea; to get the essence of something.
問題のポイントを押さえてから答えを書きなさい。
Make sure you understand the key points of the problem before writing your answer.
会議で重要な点を押さえて説明した。
I covered the important points in my explanation at the meeting.
彼のスピーチは要点を押さえていて分かりやすかった。
His speech captured the key points and was easy to follow.
5To suppress or restrain emotions, forces, or spread; to check or contain something.
コストを押さえるために経費を見直した。
We reviewed expenses to keep costs down.
彼は怒りを押さえて冷静に話した。
He held back his anger and spoke calmly.
政府は物価の上昇を押さえる政策を打ち出した。
The government introduced a policy to curb rising prices.