【Top 5】’it’を使ったイディオム
前の名詞の繰り返しを避けるために使われる代名詞【it】- 文法的な機能は皆さんよくご存じですよね。では慣用句としての機能はどうでしょう？よく使われる短いイディオムでは、”it “が特定の名詞を指さず、実質上の意味を持つことがなくなってしまうケースがよくあります。
このブログではその5つの例をご紹介します。
1. To make it （成功する、間に合う、都合をつける）
- To indicate success (or failure) in one’s career
After years of hard work and dedication, she finally made it.
= she finally achieved her career goal.
- To indicate success (or failure) in reaching a destination by a certain pre-determined time.
Our flight’s at 6, and look at this traffic! We’ll never make it.
We made it. But we wouldn’t have if we hadn’t sprinted the final kilometre.
- To indicate ability (or inability) to attend an appointment/meeting, etc.
I’m terribly sorry but I don’t think I’ll be able to make it for our planned get-together. A few issues have cropped up at home. Can we do it some other time?
2. I take it that …（…だと思う。）
Used as an alternative to assume or suppose. Only used in the first person.
- I haven’t received a reply, so I take it that you’re not coming to the meeting.
- I take it that you’ll be coming by train, in which case, I’ll meet you at the station.
3. See to it that … （…となるように取り計らう。）
Used as an alternative to make sure that…
- Can you see to it that the front door is locked and the alarm activated when you leave the building? Thanks.
- See to it that he gets the message, will you? Thanks.
4. I put it to you that …（…提案などを説明する。）
To make a serious suggestion to someone with the intention of “testing” their response.
- I put it to you that we need a radical overhaul of our accounts procedure. The current system is not working well.
- My boss asked for my input, so I put it to her that a better way of handling the complaint would be to meet the customer in person.
5. I have it on good authority that…（…確かな筋から聞いている。）
To believe information you have received because the person acting as the source of the information is trustworthy.
- I have it on good authority that this deal is not going to go through. Our counterparts won’t accept our terms.
- I have it on good authority that you’re leaving! Is this true?! You’ll be sorely missed at this company.
PS Englishでは、ロンドン・イギリスだけでなく、オンラインで世界中に拠点を置く日本人の皆様を対象に、英会話教育を行っています。より自然な英語を話せるように、ネイティブスピーカーの講師がマンツーマンでレッスンを行います。
ネイティブのようなナチュラルな英語を話したい！イギリス英語を学びたい！という方は是非こちらから無料コンサルテーションをお申込みください。
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