茶飲みトーク: Tag Idiom

On ice

AndrewSuenobu — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:52:00 -0400

To put something on ice means to delay something until some point in the future. To postpone something. Usuall, this refers to something you have to do. Often, this is something that that you are currently doing or something you had planned to do now but, for some reason, you aren't able to finish it now or it would make more sense to do it later. A husband might say to his wife something like, "Sorry, Honey. Something came up at work, so we'll have to put our plans for the weekend on ice." In this case, the husband and wife had planned to do something, but will have to postpone it till some other time. In the following example, a group of employees has been meeting for some time, but is getting nowhere. They decide to stop for now and resume at a later date when the people might have some fresh ideas.

Mr. Drake: So, does anyone have any other ideas? We've been talking about this for four hours now.
Robert: Sorry, sir. My brain isn't functioning any more.
Mr. Drake: Alright, people. Let's put this on ice for now and meet again next week. In the meantime, be sure to think of some new ideas.

This phrase come from the fact that, if you weren't going to eat something right away, you could put it on a block of ice (in the icebox or ice house–Nowadays you would use the refridgerator or freezer) and save it for later.

go to the dogs

ShuzoNakamura — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 21:57:00 -0400

今回は少し楽しくない表現をみてみましょう。「go to the dogs」です。
これは、「だめになる、落ちぶれる、荒廃する、堕落する」という意味です。

長年、続いてきたもの、或いは、過去に良い評価を得ていたものが、徐々に質を落としていくといった場面で使われます。

例えば、会社（This company is just going to the dogs.）、教育システム（The educational system in this country is going to the dogs. ）人生（ My life is going to the dogs.）、結婚（My marriage is going to the dogs.）、（老朽化した）家屋（This house is so run-down. It's just going to the dogs.）などです。下の例で、トムは、１０年以上勤めてきた会社を辞めるつもりです。サムは驚いて、「なぜ？」と尋ねます。トムによれば、最近、この会社で起こったことを振り返る時、どうもこの会社は駄目になっていくように思えてならないということでした。

Tom: Hi, Sam. I just wanted to say it's been good working with you.
Sam: What do you mean by that?
Tom: I just gave my notice. I'm leaving the company.
Sam: What? Why? You've been here over ten years.
Tom: It's something I've been thinking about for a while. With everything that's been happening lately,I can't help feeling that it's just going to the dogs.
Sam: Well, it's been good working with you, too. I hope things work out for you.

食べ物の質が悪くて、人が口にするのは適当でないから犬に与える。
このイディオムのイメージはこんな感じです。
しかし、今日の愛犬家にとっては、「とんでもない！」といった気持ちにさせられますね。

for the record

ShuzoNakamura — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 02:42:00 -0400

The phrase, "for the record," means something like, "This is what I'm saying. Let me make myself clear. You can quote me on this." It is used often when there are different versions of a story or issue and you want to make it clear that this is what you said so everyone will be clear about where you stand. For example, if people are arguing about what should be done and you want it to be clear where you stand you can say something like, "For the record, I think we should do…." You would say this when you really want other people to take note of what your position is. You would say this especially if you thought what everybody else said was wrong and you wanted to make sure everyone knew you thogught differently. You can also use it in the past tense. It is often used in the past tense when something went wrong beause of what was done and you want it made clear that you had nothing to do with it. If the current public official isn't doing a good job you could say something like, "Just for the record, I didn't vote for him." Or if a proposal was implemented and it didn't work out you could say, "Just for the record, I thought we should have done…." Mr. Frost: How's development on our new product coming along. Bob: Well, sir, it is progressing, but there are still some bugs in it. Mr. Frost: Don't forget, we have to ship it by next week. Make sure it is packaged and ready to go. Bob: For the record, sir, I really think we should work out the problems before we ship it. Mr. Frost: Noted. However, we need to ship it by next week or we will lose the contract. The "record" in this phrase is any description of what you said, whether it is someone telling someone else what you said or some record of what you said in written (newspapers, magazines, etc.) or broadcast (TV, radio, etc.) media. Thus, this phrase is often used when reporters are asking someone a question about something important and the person wants to make sure they get what he said right and don't make a mistake in quoting him. It might also be used when there is a meeting where minutes are being recorded and someone wants to make sure the person taking the minutes gets what he said correct. There are other expressions that use the word, "record" in this way. "Let me set the record straight," means, "There is some confusion over what I said or meant; this is what I really said or meant." You can also use the phrase "off the record," meaning, "I'm going to say this but I don't want you to write it down or tell anybody I said it."

Pull out all the stops

ShuzoNakamura — Thu, 31 May 2007 10:06:00 -0400

To pull out all the stops means to go to any means in order to achieve something or make something successful. You use all your energy and effort and all the resources at your disposal to make something the best that it can be. You go beyond what is normally expected and do whatever you can to make something happen. It could be that you spend a lot of money to buy the best things. It could also mean that you work really hard to do everything you can and everything you can think of. You would usually do this for some special event or big occassion that you really want to be successful. This might be a personal occasion like a special birthday, anniversary, wedding, or proposal. This could also be for some business venture that is really important. You might also do this if you really wanted to impress someone such as a husband or wife (or potential husband or wife) or in-law, a boss or company VIP, or a celebrity. Bill: Wow, have you seen the budget for the new ad campaign? John: Yeah, they even hired a new advertising firm. Bill: They're really pulling out all the stops on this one. This is supposedly a phrase that was first used by organists. If you pull out all the stop levers in a pipe organ, it makes the organ produce thte maximum volume.

Out of the blue

ShuzoNakamura — Thu, 31 May 2007 10:03:00 -0400

The phrase, out of the blue, means that something happened suddenly that was totally unexpected and without warning. It could be that it just happened unexpectedly. It could also be that someone said something that was off the subject of what was being talked about or didn't have any relation to anything that anybody else was saying. I If someone does something unexpected and without any warning, you could say that he did it "out of the blue." Someone you haven't seen for a while can suddenly show up "out of the blue." John: What happened to you? I haven't seen you for a while. Dan: I was transferred to another project. John: What? I thought you were working on Project X. Dan: I was. The project manager showed up one day, out of the blue, and told me I was being reassigned to Project A. John: Well, I guess they needed a good man for the job. This expression seems to refer to it starting to rain unexpectedly, even though the sky was blue. There was no warning like gray clouds. It just happened "out of the blue." An older form of this expression is, "out of the clear blue sky," though this is not used much any more.

To give or allow someone free rein

ShuzoNakamura — Mon, 07 May 2007 00:08:00 -0400

To give or allow someone free rein

能力や人柄などを信頼され、任され、好きにやらせてもらえるということは嬉しいことです。今回は、そんな状況にまつわる表現をみてみましょう。

「To give or allow someone free rein」です。
これは、「制限なしに自由にさせる」という意味です。

この表現は、動物に対して、手に負えないから、なすがままにさせるという場合、感情に対して自分で制御できず、そのおもむくがままにといった場合に使いますが、普通、権威ある者（例えば、上司や親）が、その支配下にある者（部下や子）を認めて、好きにやらせるということであり、自由放任、好き勝手ということではありません。下の例で、ビルは上司のトムからＣプロジェクトを任されました。しかも、自分の思い通りにすればいいということです。感激したビルは、「期待を裏切るようなことはしません」と誓います。

Tom: Bill, I just wanted to let you know that I'm putting you in charge of the C project.
Bill: That's an honor, sir. How would you like me to carry it out?
Tom: Well, that's your area of expertise, so I'm giving you free rein on this one.
Bill: Thank you, sir. I won't let you down.

同じような表現として、"I leave it up to you"というのがあります。これは上の表現とは違って、例えば、上司から部下という関係だけでなく、部下から上司という関係に対しても使えます。そして、部下から上司の場合には、さらに丁寧な表現として、"I leave this matter in your hands."というのがあります。

5/7/2007

（イーストウエストジャーナル連載）

To give or allow someone free rein means to let someone do whatever they want without restrictions. It is usually done by someone who someone who has some authority over the other person but who allows them the freedom to do what they want. A boss can give free rein to an employee that he trusts to do a job the way the employee thinks it should be done. Parents can give their children free rein if they are too lenient on them and don't set boundries and limitations on them.In the same way, you can give animals free rein if you don't control them and let them do as they please. You can even give emotions free rein if you don't control them and you let them to express themselves and control you. In other words, you get angry and yell or excited and jump into things or sad and cry and then do things based on how you feel without thinking them through first.
A: B, I just wanted to let you know that I'm putting you in charge of the C project. B: That's an honor, sir. How would you like me to carry it out? A: Well, that's your area of expertise, so I'm giving you free rein on this one. B: Thank you, sir. I won't let you down.
This expression probably comes from the fact that reins are leather straps used to control horses. If you give your horse free rein, you are not controlling him and are just letting him go wherever he wants to go.

to measure up

ShuzoNakamura — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 22:54:00 -0400

誰しも他の人から酷評されることは気分の良いものではありません今回は、そんな状況にまつわる表現をみてみましょう。

"to measure up"です。
これは、「一定の基準にかなう、期待に添う」という意味です。

この表現は、しばしば否定的な形で使われます。単に、"he/she/it doesn't measure up." と言った場合には、「（一定の基準に満たず）満足していない、期待に沿っていない」ということであり、"he/she/it doesn't measure up to…" といった場合、「・・・何かと比較して、それには及ばない」という意味になります。下の例で、トムとビルは、新しい上司について噂しています。彼は有能だと思うけれど、前任者のジョンには及ばないという訳です。しかし、ジョンは、退職するまでの２０年間、会社に勤続し十分な経験を持つのだから仕方がない。今、しばし、様子を見ていこうということになりました。

Tom: Have you met the new manager yet?
Bill: Yes. He seems competent enough.
Tom: I guess so. He still doesn't measure up to John, though.
Bill: Well, he's still new. Give him time. John was with the company for 20 years before he retired.
Tom: Yeah, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

ところで、"Does it measure up?" は、"Is it good enough?"、¨Are you satisfied?¨で、「満足ですか？」という意味です。これは、通（つう）と目される人や一家言持つ人に対して使われます。

4/15/2007

（イーストウエストジャーナル連載）

To measure up means to be as good as someone or something. This is used when comparing someone or something to a set of standards or to someone or something else that set the standards. It is often used in a negative way, usually when you want to say that someone or something is not as good as the original or not as good as it could be. In this case you would say that the person or thing doesn't measure up. You can just say "he/she/it doesn't measure up" or you can say, "he/she/it doesn't measure up to…" whatever standards you are talking about. If you just say, "doesn't measure up," it would mean that whatever it is doesn't meet the standard that you would like. In other words, it is not good enough or it doesn't meet your expectations of what it should be. If you say, "doesn't measure up to whatever," you are saying it is not as good as whatever it is that you are comparing it to. You can also use it as a question as in, "does it measure up," to mean, "is it good enough?"

hold the fort

ShuzoNakamura — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 00:52:00 -0400

To "hold the fort" means to take care of a place and make sure nothing goes wrong. This could refer to something as big as a large corporation or something as small as a home. It is used when the person who normally takes care of things there has to go away and he leaves someone else in charge to "hold the fort." This implies that there is some level of responsibility on the person left in charge. In other words, there is something that could possibly go wrong that he has to watch out for. It could also just imply that something has to be done while the usual person in charge is away. It implies a level of trust and also implies encouragement. ”がんばれ！”か”たのむぞ！”って感じ。 Common ways to use this expression are: "I'm counting on your to hold the fort." "You're in charge. Hold the fort until I get back." "I want you to hold the fort while I'm gone." A mother who has to go out on an errand might say this to her husband if she has to leave him alone to watch the kids. A parent might even say this to an older child that is left to look after his/her younger brothers and sisters for a little while. A manager might say this to another worker he has left in charge if he has to leave the company for a while on a business trip or a family emergency. A: So, how long will you be gone on your business trip? B: I'll be gone about two weeks. I'm counting on you to hold the fort while I'm gone. A: You can count on me, sir. B: Don't forget we have to finish Project X by next week. A: Yes, sir. This expression comes from the days of the old west when forts had to be defended against the Native Americans or some other enemy. To "hold the fort" meant to hold off the attackers and keep the fort safe.

Keep your eye on the ball

ShuzoNakamura — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 17:08:00 -0500

最近のように変化のスピードが早く、また、いろいろな価値観が錯綜する時代に生きていますと、成功するためには回りで起こるさまざまな出来事をしっかり見定めていく必要があります。そうでないと機会を取り逃がすことになりますし、挫折を味わうことになります。今回は、そんな状況にまつわる表現をみてみましょう。

「Keep your eye on the ball」です。
これは、「ボールをよく見ろ、目を離すな・・・自分の目的実現にかかわる重要な出来事から目をそらすな」ということです。

この表現は、スポーツの世界からきていますが、仕事にかかわること、私的なこと、いろいろな場面で使われます。下の例で、トムの会社では、CD開発のために多くの投資を続けてきましたが、世の中では、音楽を聞くのにCDではなく、mp3を使うようになっていました。トムは、「訳がわからない」とぼやいています。ビルは、世の中の動向や技術の方向に注目していないと取り残されてしまうよと助言します。

A: I don't get it. We were spending all of our money and resources into developing our CDs and, all of a sudden, everybody's listening to mp3s! What happened?
B: Well, you know, technology changes so fast nowadays that you really have to keep your eye on the ball or you'll be left behind.
A: Yeah, we'll really have to keep our eye on the current trends in technology and society as well.

ところで、「Keep your eye on the ball.」の反対表現として、「take your eye off the ball.」があります。そして、この表現は、「Don't take your eye off the ball.」といった形で使われます。「Keep your eye on the ball.」は、手元にボールがある時、また、激励の意味合い、「Don't take your eye off the ball.」は、相手にボールがある時、また、注意を喚起する意味合いが含まれます。

3/4/2007

（イーストウエストジャーナル連載）

To "keep your eye on the ball" means that you are paying close attention to important events going on around you, especially those that are important for you to achieve your goals. This phrase comes from the world of sports. If you are playing in a ball game, it is important that you know where the ball is at all times. If you lose track of the ball, the other team might score on you or take the advantage in the game. Or, if someone is passing you the ball, you might not see it and drop the ball. In baseball, if you are a batter and you keep your eye on the ball, you could hit a homerun. In golf, you have to concentrate on the ball when you are getting ready to hit it. You always have to be alert and aware of where the ball is. If you take your eye off the ball for just a second, you could lose track of where it is and that could mean trouble. This is also true in life, whether it is at work, in your personal life, or just what you happen to be working on at the moment. You have to be aware of the things going on around you that are important for you to achieve your goals. If you are not aware of these things, you might not be prepared for opportunities that come your way, or you could lose sight of your goals and not do what is important to achieve them. It could also mean that you are keeping your eye on your goal, as well. In business, this could mean keeping your eye on the stock market, current trends in technology or society, the situation at your own company or what the competition is doing, or just the status of the project you are currently working on. In your personal life, this could be keeping track of things that could affect your future, what's going on in your marriage, keeping track on what's going on in the lives of your children, etc. In any case, it usually refers to keeping track of things that are important in achieving a goal so that you don't miss an opportunity or suffer any setbacks.
A: I don't get it. We were spending all of our money and resources into developing our CDs and, all of a sudden, everybody's listening to mp3s! What happened? B: Well, you know, technology changes so fast nowadays that you really have to keep your eye on the ball or you'll be left behind. A: Yeah, we'll really have to keep our eye on the current trends in technology and society as well.
You would use this expression to make sure someone is paying attention to important details related to his goal as in, "Keep your eye on the ball." You could also use it to scold someone for not paying attention to these details as in, "You have to keep your eye on the ball." Again, these are not just any details, but specifically things that are important for achieving the goal.
The opposite expression would be to "take your eye off the ball." This is usually used in the form of, "Don't take you eye off the ball." Also, to "be on the ball" could mean that you have the ball and are running with it or that you have your eye on the ball. In other words, it means that you are actively doing something to achieve your goals or that you are aware of the important events going on around you that could affect achieving your goal.

Keep your pants on

ShuzoNakamura — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 22:47:00 -0500

Keep your pants on
If someone is overly excited or impatient about something, you might tell him to keep his pants on. This expression means to calm down and be patient. It is often used when someone is calling you and telling you to hurry up because he can´t wait and is overly excited about it. You might reply something like, ¨Keep you pants on. I´m coming!¨ You could use this in more casual circumstances with you friends or co-workers, but probably not in polite conversation with your boss or superiors.
A: When is the new product going to be ready? Engineering was supposed to be finished with it a month ago. Our customers are getting impatient and are threatening to back out if it´s not ready soon! B: Keep your pants on. I´m sure they´ll get it to us as soon as it´s ready. It wouldn´t be good to ship a defective product, would it? A: I guess you´re right. I wish they would hurry it up, though. The customers won´t wait forever.
This expression comes from the idea that an overly-amorous suitor might get too excited and take his pants off before the time is right. He would need to be told to keep his pants on and be patient.