overmatched
力負けした
解説 Definition
相手の実力や力が自分より大きく上回っている状態。対抗する力が不足しており、試合では圧倒的に不利な立場。
If someone is overmatched, they are facing an opponent or situation that is clearly stronger, more skilled, or better prepared than they are. The word is often used in sports, competition, business, or conflict. It suggests that the person has little chance of success because the difference in ability is too great.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
match は「釣り合う・互角に戦う」。matched game なら接戦のイメージですが、over- が付くと「互角の線を越えて、相手の力が上回る」に変わります。そこから overmatched は「実力差がありすぎて力負けした」。be overmatched by the opponent の形で、試合・議論・交渉で「相手が一枚も二枚も上」という場面に結びつけると覚えやすいです。unmatched が「並ぶものがないほど優秀」で主語を持ち上げる語なのに対し、overmatched は自分側が不利だと示す語、という対比も記憶のフックになります。
Start with match: if two sides are matched, they are equal. Add over-, and the balance is broken because one side is clearly stronger. Compare it with unmatched, which praises someone as excellent, while overmatched shows the weaker side.
例文
The overmatched team lost despite their efforts.
力不足のチームは努力にもかかわらず敗れました。
The boxer was overmatched in the championship fight.
そのボクサーはチャンピオンシップの試合で力負けしていました。
An overmatched opponent provides no competitive challenge.
弱い相手は競争相手として成り立たない。
overmatched の類義語・関連語
overmatched の語源・成り立ち Etymology
overmatched は over-「越えて・過度に」+ match「釣り合う、対抗できる」+ -ed から成る語です。match は古英語系の「対になるもの」にさかのぼるため、全体で「相手が釣り合いを超えて強い」つまり「力負けした」と納得できます。関連語は match、unmatched です。
Overmatched is built from over- "beyond" or "too much," match, and -ed. Match originally referred to an equal pair or one thing suited to another, so it came to mean an equal opponent. From there, overmatched developed the sense of facing someone stronger than your own level. Related English words include match and unmatched.
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