英語コラムの連載12回目です。
必要以上!?のビジネス英語マスター術
初心者にこそオススメしたいTOEICを使った学習法
TOEICの問題集を使って、英語を学習できるのではないか、
というお話です。
■NHKラジオ 実践ビジネス英語 Workplace Gossip (3) 8/28 2009
■意味を考えてみよう。今日取り上げる単語が含まれています。
Is punishing workplace busybodies the answer to internal
problems?
It can be a beacon that lets leaders know that there are
issues that need to be dealt with in appropriate,
constructive ways.
Toxic gossip thrives in their absence.
We have to be especially on guard against in these recessionary times.
The temptation to score points against a rival through catty,
irresponsible gossip can be very strong when times are tough.
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busubody, せんさく好きな人、おせっかい、世話焼き
──────────────────────────────
If you refer to someone as a busybody, you are criticizing
the way they interfere in other people's affairs. [INFORMAL]
ex) Some busybody tripped off the police, and they arrested
someone.
──────────────────────────────
beacon, 指針、警告
──────────────────────────────
If someone acts as a beacon to other people, they inspire or
encourage them.
ex) Our Parliament has been a beacon of hope to the peoples
of Europe.
──────────────────────────────
toxic, 有害な、ひどい
──────────────────────────────
[ODE]
N. Amer. highly unplesant or harmful
ex) a toxic public relations situation
──────────────────────────────
be on guard against, ...を警戒している
──────────────────────────────
If you are on your guard or on guard, you are being very
careful because you think a situation might become difficult
or dangerous.
ex) He is constantly on guard against any threat of humiliation.
──────────────────────────────
score points against, ...より優位に立つ、...をやり込める
──────────────────────────────
If you score a point over someone, or score points off them,
you gain an advantage over them, usually by saying something
clever or making a better argument.
ex) The Prime Minister was trying to score a political
point over his rivals.
──────────────────────────────
その他にも、次も押さえておきたい。[誌面の都合上省略] ★は重要表現
──────────────────────────────
idle chat, ただのおしゃべり、むだ話
all too often, あまりにも頻繁に、大抵は
thrive in someone's absence, ...がいない時に盛んになる
catty, 意地の悪い、悪意のある
tidbit of information, （おもしろい）ちょっとした情報
grist for the rumor mill, (うわさを流す人たちにとって)格好のわさの種
