意味一覧 (2件)
言いくるめる
解説 Definition
「wheedle」は甘い言葉やお世辞で相手を説き伏せる動詞で、頼みごとを聞いてほしいときに多用されます。軽いニュアンスながら、相手を不自然に持ち上げるため、親しい間柄でも「wheedle someone into ～」の形でよく出ます。
To wheedle means to try to get something from someone by using gentle, flattering, or persuasive words. It often suggests that the speaker is being a little clever or manipulative rather than fully direct. The word is usually used in a slightly negative way.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
この意味の wheedle は、相手を正面から説得するのではなく、うまい言葉で丸め込んで自分の望む方向へ持っていく動詞として覚えます。基本義の「おだててさせる」では、ほめて行動させる点が中心ですが、ここでは結果として相手を言いくるめることに焦点があります。persuade よりずるさがあり、convince より感情や口先の巧さが目立つ語です。
Remember that wheedle is not calm logical persuasion. It is closer to flattering, coaxing, or using sweet words to get something. Useful patterns are "wheedle someone into doing something" and "wheedle information out of someone."
例文
He tried to wheedle his parents into extending his curfew by praising their cooking.
彼は両親の料理を褒めて門限を延ばしてもらおうと甘い言葉で誘った。
She wheedled the editor into giving her extra pages by complimenting the magazine's design.
彼女は雑誌のデザインを持ち上げて編集者からページを追加してもらった。
おだててさせる
(意味 2)解説 Definition
wheedle は、相手をほめたり機嫌を取ったりして、何かをしてもらうことを表す動詞です。頼みごとを通したい場面で使われ、直接命令するのではなく、甘い言葉で相手をその気にさせるニュアンスがあります。
Wheedle means to try to get something from someone by praising them, flattering them, or speaking in a sweet way. It is often used when a person wants a favor or wants someone to agree to do something. The idea is not to order or force someone, but to gently persuade them by making them feel pleased.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
wheedle は語源不詳ですが、甘い声でしつこく頼み込み「おだてて人にさせる」という動作を表します。wheedle someone into doing や wheedle money out of someone の形が典型です。flatter は単にほめることもありますが、wheedle はほめ言葉や泣き落としを手段に、相手から行動や物を引き出す点が核心です。
Think of runaround as run + around. This can help you picture someone going around in circles instead of moving straight to the real answer. It refers to a response that avoids the main point by giving excuses or changing the subject. In the phrase give someone the runaround, it often means treating a complaint or question in an evasive and unhelpful way.
例文
He tried to wheedle his sister into lending him her car for the weekend.
彼は週末に車を貸してもらおうとして、妹をおだてた。
The child wheedled an extra piece of cake from his grandmother with a big smile.
その子は満面の笑みで祖母をおだてて、ケーキをもう一つもらった。
She wheedled her way into the private event by charming everyone at the door.
彼女は入口の人たちに愛想よくして、おだてながらその非公開イベントに入り込んだ。
wheedle の語源・成り立ち Etymology
語源は不確かですが、古英語wǣdlian「物乞いする」説や、独語wedeln「尾を振る」説があります。へつらって頼みを通すイメージから、「甘い言葉で言いくるめる」の意味になりました。関連語はadulation、wheedlingです。
Wheedle has an uncertain origin. It may be connected with Old English wǣdlian, "to beg," or with German wedeln, "to wag," as with a flattering, tail-wagging manner. In either case, the word developed toward the idea of getting what you want by smooth, coaxing talk. The noun wheedling was formed later from it.
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