IDIOMS LESSON ：はじめに

SL内でのチャット会話は、あくまで口語体が基調です。とりわけ日常英語会話によく使われるのが、このイディオム。

イディオムとは、一定の言いまわしで特有の意味を表す成句・慣用句で、個々の単語の意味からは全体の意味が類推できない語句・表現です。

このイディオムを少しでも多く身につける事によって、堅苦しい教科書英語から脱却し、自然な表現方法で、相手に自分の意志・意図を伝えることが可能になります。また、いままで理解不能だった相手の言い回しが、ぐっと身近に感じられるでしょう。

そこで今回、このイディオム学習のテキストとして、「SPEAK ENGLISH LIKE AN AMERICAN （AMY GILLETT 著）」を採用しました。

本書には、アメリカのとある４人家族を題材とし、一家の日常を生き生きと描き出したエピソードを２５話の会話形式にまとめ、その音声も併せて収録されています。その内容には、現在アメリカでよく使われる300以上のイディオムが含まれており、各イディオムの意味と用法が、豊富な例文と併せて紹介されています。

著者のAMY GILLETT女史はスタンフォード大学でスラブ言語とその文学を専攻し、同大学でロシア東欧研究の学士を所得しています。同女史は現在、スタンフォードとチェコでESLの教鞭を取っており、ユーモアあふれる彼女のエッセイや投稿記事は、「MAD Magazine」「the San Francisco Chronicle」「Family Circle」等の活字媒体をにぎわせています。また、彼女は本書をはじめとする多くのESL関連教本を執筆しており、彼女自身、海外での豊富な研究活動を経て、英語以外にロシア語・チェコ語・フランス語・イタリア語など話します。

続きを読む "IDIOMS LESSON ：はじめに"

IDIOMS LESSON #1

まずは上のプレイヤーでニ人の会話を聞きながら、文章を読み進めて下さい。

ブルーでハイライトされたイディオムをクリックすると、意味と例文のウインドウが開きます。

                                    < BOB'S DAY AT WORK >

Bob works as a manager in a furniture store.
Peter, his boss, is not happy about sales.
Bob's new advertising campaign hasn't helped.
Peter decides to fire him.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Peter : Bob, I hate to break the news, but our sales were down again last month.

Bob   : Down again, Peter?

Peter : Yeah.  These days, everybody's shopping at our competition, Honest Abe's Furniture Store.

Bob   : But everything in there costs an arm and leg !

Peter : That's true.  They do charge top dollar.

Bob   : And Their salespeople are very strange.  They really give me the creeps.

Peter : Well, they must be doing something right over there.

Meanwhile, we're about to go belly-up. 

Bob   : I'm sorry to hear that.  I thought my new advertising campaign would save the day.

Peter : Let's face it: your advertising campaign was a real flop.

Bob    : Well then I'll go back to the drawing board.

Peter : It's too late for that.  You're fired!

Bob    : What?  You're giving me the ax?

Peter : Yes.  I've already found a new manager.  She's as sharp as a tack.

Bob   : Can't we even talk this over ?  After all, I've been working here for 10 years!

Peter : there's no point in arguing Bob.  I've already made up my mind.

Bob   : Oh well,  at least I won't have to put up with your nonsense anymore!  Good-bye to you and good-bye to this dead end job.

Peter : Please leave before I lose my temper!

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続きを読む "IDIOMS LESSON #1"

IDIOMS LESSON #1 TEST

PRACTICE THE IDIOMS LESSON #1

次の問題に答えて、レッスン１のイディオム理解度を試して下さい。

Fill in the blank with the missing word:

下線XXX部分に、a)、b)、c)、の中から正しいものを選んで下さい。

1)  I can't believe you bought a couch t Honest Ave's.  Everything in that store costs an arm and a XXX.

    a) foot                b) leg                c) hand

2) After Bob found out that his advertising campaign failed, he wanted to go back to the drawing XXX.

    a) board            b) table                c) room

3) When somebody isn't listening to you, there's no XXX in trying to argue with them.

    a) edge                b) tip                c) point

4) Jose is really smart.  He's as sharp as a XXX.

    a) tack                b) nail                c) screw

5) The salespeople at Honest Abe's always look angry and never speak to anybody.  No wonder they XXX Bob the creeps.

    a) take                b) give                c) allow

6) Bob got fired.  He isn't looking forward to XXX the news to his family.

    a) breaking            b) cracking            c) saying

7) Bob thought his new advertisements would bring in lots of customers and save the      XXX.

    a) morning            b) night                c) day

8) Fortunately, Bob no longer has to put XXX with his stupid boss at the furniture store.

    a) over                b) in                c) up

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

続きを読む "IDIOMS LESSON #1 TEST"

IDIOMS LESSON #2

まずは上のプレイヤーでニ人の会話を聞きながら、文章を読み進めて下さい。

ブルーでハイライトされたイディオムをクリックすると、意味と例文のウインドウが開きます。

       < BOB RETURNS HOME WITH BAD NEWS >

Bob tells his wife Susan that he lost his job.
Susan suggests that he start his own business.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Susan :     What's the matter, dear?

Bob    :     Susan, I got canned today at work.

Susan :     But Bob, you were Peter's right hand man!

Bob    :     Yes, and he stab me in the back.

Susan :     Keep your chin up.  Maybe he'll change his mind and take you back. 

Bob    :      When pigs fly!  Once he makes up his mind, he never changes it.  Besides, I told him off.

Susan :     Look on the bright side: you won't have to set eyes on Peter ever again.

Bob    :     Thank goodness  for that!

Susan :     Hang in there.  I'm sure you won't be out of work for long. 

Bob    :      In the meantime, we'll have to live from hand to mouth.

Susan :     Don't get too stressed out, Bob.  We'll make ends meet. 

Bob    :      I can always get a job at McDonald's as a last resort.

Susan :      Huh, I don't think they're hiring right now.

Bob    :      If worse comes to worst, we can sell our home and move into a tent.

Susan :      Let's think big!  Maybe you can start your own business.

Bob    :      Easier said than done. 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

続きを読む "IDIOMS LESSON #2"

IDIOMS LESSON #2 TEST

PRACTICE THE IDIOMS LESSON #2

Fill in the blank with the missing word:

下線XXX部分に、a)、b)、c)、の中から正しいものを選んで下さい。

1)    What's the xxxx ?  You look upset.

a) situation        b) issue        c) matter


2)   I know I can trust you.  You would never stab me in the xxxx.

a) leg        b) back        c) arm


3)    If Bob and Susan run out of money, they can always borrow money from Susan's sister as a  xxxx resort.

a) final        b) first        c) last


4)    You look really stressed  xxxx .  Why don't you sit down, relax, and have a cup of tea?

a) about        b) in            c) out


5)    Bob, everything will be fine.  You just need to keep your chin  xxxx  and remember that tomorrow is another day.

a) up        b) down        c) above


6)    I just can't make up my xxxx whether to order chicken or fish.

a) head        b) brain        c) mind


7)    Nicole accidentally stepped on Ted's guitar.  Ted got really angry and told her  xxxx .

a) off        b) out         c) away


8)    Your husband left you for his psychologist?  Hang  xxxx there!  I'm sure he'll realize she's crazy and then come back to you.

a) up        b) in            c) out

続きを読む "IDIOMS LESSON #2 TEST"

IDIOMS LESSON #3

まずは上のプレイヤーでニ人の会話を聞きながら、文章を読み進めて下さい。

ブルーでハイライトされたイディオムをクリックすると、意味と例文のウインドウが開きます（但し新しいウインドウで開かないと、音声が途切れますのでご注意を）。

                                 < TED'S DAY AT SCHOOL >

Ted tells his parents he did poorly on his chemistry test.They tell him he needs to get serious and study more.

                        * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Susan :     How was your day at school today, Ted?

Ted :        Bad.  I had a chemistry test, and I blew it !

Susan :     Maybe if you didn't cut class so often, you'd do better.

Bob :        That's right, son.  Stop slacking off and start hitting the books !

Ted :        But I can't stand chemistry class.  Besides, it's a lost cause.  That class is way over my head. 

Susan :     You need to buckle down.

Ted :        When I'm a famous musician, people won't give a hoot about my knowledge of atoms and molecules.

Bob :        That's beside the point.

Susan :     We know you have your heart set on going to  New York University.

Bob :        And you don't stand a chance of getting in there  with such poor grades!

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続きを読む "IDIOMS LESSON #3"

IDIOMS LESSON #4

まずは上のプレイヤーでニ人の会話を聞きながら、文章を読み進めて下さい。

ブルーでハイライトされたイディオムをクリックすると、意味と例文のウインドウが開きます（但し新しいウインドウで開かないと、音声が途切れますのでご注意を）。

                     < NICOLE'S DAY AT SCHOOL >

Nicole tells her mother Susan about her successful presentation at school.

Her brother Ted overhears and interrupts the conversation.
 

                    * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Susan :      How was your day at school today, Nicole?

Nicole :     It was great, Mom.  I gave a presentation on Hillary Clinton in government class.  Afterwards, my teacher paid me a compliment.

Susan :    What did she say?

Nicole :     She said my presentation was head and shoulders above the others.

Susan :    Way to go!

Nicole :    She also said I should go into politics, just like Hillary.

Ted :        You're so gung ho about school.  It drives me crazy.

Nicole :    Ted, don't butt in!  You're just jealous.

Ted :        Right.  You hit the nail on the head.  I'm green with envy.

Nicole :    Would you just shut up?  You're on thin ice with me right now.

Ted :        Oh no!  Look at me.  I'm shaking in my shoes!