追い詰められ
解説 Definition
選択肢や逃げ道が少なく、追い詰められた状態を表します。交渉や試合、経営などで後がなく、圧力の中で抵抗や対応を迫られる場面に使います。
back to the wall literally suggests with one's back against the wall, but it usually means in a difficult position with few choices left. People use it when someone has few options in a difficult situation. It often suggests that the person is under pressure but may still fight.
使い方 Usage
- have one's back to the wall は「追い詰められている」。one's を his、her、its など、その人や組織に合う所有格にします。 Have one's back to the wall means to be in a difficult position with few options. Replace one's with the appropriate possessive, such as his, her, or its.
- with one's back to the wall は「追い詰められた状態で」。複数の人には with their backs to the wall と使えます。 With one's back to the wall describes acting while under pressure with few options. For several people, use with their backs to the wall.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
後ろが壁で下がれず、前から迫る相手に向き合う場面を想像します。「逃げ場がない」から「追い詰められている」へ結び付けます。
Picture a wall behind you, leaving no room to move back as someone approaches. Connect having no escape with being under pressure and having few choices left.
例文
With their backs to the wall, the team fought hard in the final minutes.
追い詰められた状態で、そのチームは最後の数分に懸命に戦った。
The company had its back to the wall after losing its biggest client.
最大の顧客を失って、その会社は追い詰められていた。
When his back was to the wall, he finally agreed to negotiate.
追い詰められると、彼はついに交渉に応じた。
back to the wall の語源・成り立ち Etymology
戦いやけんかで壁を背にすると退路がなくなる。この身体感覚から、選択肢の少ない窮地を表す。字面の具体的な場面が抽象的な状況に移され、現代では「追い詰められ」を表す慣用句として使われる。具体物から抽象的な人間関係や判断へ意味が移った点が重要である。
Having a wall behind you means you cannot retreat in a fight. The concrete image later became an idiom for in a difficult position with few choices left.
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