turnabout
方向転換
解説 Definition
態度・方針・状況などが正反対に変わること。方向転換や逆転を意味する。
A turnabout is a sudden change in direction, attitude, or policy. It is often used when someone or something moves to the opposite position from before. The word can describe both physical movement and changes in opinion or situation.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
まず基本語 turn「向きを変える」を軸に覚える。about には「周囲に、ぐるっと」の感覚があるので、turnabout は「ぐるっと向きが変わること」。物理的な方向転換だけでなく、意見・政策・情勢が以前と逆向きになる場面で使われる。news では a dramatic turnabout, a policy turnabout のように出やすい。turnaround が「立て直し・回復」まで含みやすいのに対し、turnabout は「反転・逆転」の色が濃い、と置くと記憶に残る。
Start with `turn`, a basic word for changing direction. Add `about`, which often gives a feeling of going around, so `turnabout` feels like turning all the way around. It is often used for a complete reversal, especially in phrases like `a policy turnabout` or `a dramatic turnabout`. Think of it as stronger than `turnaround`, which can also mean recovery or improvement.
例文
The company's turnabout on environmental policy surprised its critics.
その企業の環境政策の方向転換は批判者たちを驚かせた。
In a dramatic turnabout, the losing team scored three goals in the final minutes.
劇的な逆転で、負けていたチームが最後の数分で3得点を挙げた。
Turnabout is fair play, as the saying goes.
やり返しはお互い様というものだ、とことわざにもある。
turnabout の類義語・関連語
紛らわしい語
turnabout の語源・成り立ち Etymology
turnabout は turn＋about の複合語で、turn はラテン語 tornare「回す」が古英語に入り、さらにギリシャ語 tornos「旋盤」にさかのぼります。about は古英語で「周囲に」。つまり「ぐるりと向きを変えること」が原義で、意見や情勢の急反転も同じ発想です。関連語は return, tournament。
`Turnabout` is a compound of `turn` and `about`. `Turn` came into English from a root linked to Latin `tornare`, "to turn on a lathe," which goes back to Greek `tornos`, while `about` comes from Old English and means "around." The basic sense was a turning around in direction, and this later widened to sudden changes in opinion, policy, or situation. Related words include `return` and `tournament`.
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