大学入試に超絶でる英会話表現BEST100【難関大編】

字面と逆！皮肉・反語の一言11

ほめ言葉・質問の形でも中身は逆。直後の反応で本音を判定する。

• You don't say.★★★
  へえ、そう（知ってたよ）／まさか
  本来は驚き。今は当たり前の話への皮肉が多い
  AIt gets hot in August.BYou don't say.
• I couldn't care less.★★★
  まったくどうでもいい
  「これ以上少なく気にできない」＝関心ゼロ。米口語 I could care less も同じ意味
  ADid you hear who won?BI couldn't care less.
• That'll be the day.★★★
  そんなこと、ありっこない
  「その日が来たら見もの」→実現しない
  AKen says he'll clean his room.BThat'll be the day!
• Who cares?★★★
  どうでもいいよ
  修辞疑問：「誰が気にする？」→誰も気にしない
  AYour shirt is wrinkled.BWho cares? It's Sunday.
• What's the use?★★★
  やっても無駄だ
  ＝It's no use. 「何の役に立つ？」の反語
  AAsk him again.BWhat's the use? He never listens.
• Big deal.★★★
  たいしたことないじゃん
  自慢を突き放す。It's no big deal.（気にしないで）と区別
  AI ran three kilometers!BBig deal. I run ten every day.
• Very funny.★★★
  全然おもしろくない
  からかわれた時の皮肉。笑ってはいない
  AI hid your shoes.BVery funny. Give them back.
• Nice going.★★★
  やってくれたね
  失敗への皮肉が多い。素直な「よくやった」にも使うので文脈で
  AOops, I deleted the file.BNice going.
• That's all I need.★★★
  泣きっ面に蜂だ／もう勘弁して
  「必要なのはそれだけ」ではない。悪い事が重なった時
  AIt's starting to rain.BGreat. That's all I need.
• Tell me something I don't know.★★★
  そんなこと百も承知だ
  AExams are coming soon.BTell me something I don't know.
• A likely story.★★★
  どうだか、怪しいもんだ
  likely（ありそうな）を皮肉で逆の意味に
  AThe dog ate my homework.BA likely story.

否定・断りのグラデーション15

上ほどやんわり、下ほどきっぱり。強さの差が選択肢の決め手。

• Not necessarily.★★★
  必ずしもそうではない
  部分否定。全否定ではない
  AExpensive means good, right?BNot necessarily.
• I wouldn't say that.★★★
  そうとは言えないな
  「私なら言わない」＝仮定法の would でソフトに否定
  AShe's the best singer here.BI wouldn't say that.
• I wouldn't go that far.★★★
  そこまでは言えない
  一部は認め、言い過ぎだけ指摘
  AThis movie is a masterpiece.BI wouldn't go that far.
• That's not what I meant.★★★
  そういう意味じゃない
  誤解を正す定番
  ASo you think I'm lazy?BNo, that's not what I meant.
• I'm not much of a cook.★★★
  料理はあまり得意じゃない
  not much of a 〜＝たいした～ではない
  ACan you make dinner?BI'm not much of a cook, but OK.
• I'm not one for big parties.★★★
  大人数のパーティーは苦手だ
  not one for 〜＝～するタイプではない
• It's not my cup of tea.★★★
  私の好みじゃない
  ふつう否定文で使う
  ADo you like horror movies?BNot my cup of tea.
• It's not what you'd call cheap.★★★
  安いとは言いがたい（＝高い）
  not what you'd call 〜＝～とは言えない。婉曲表現
• I'd rather not.★★★
  できれば遠慮したい
  I'd rather not＋原形。to は付けない
  ADo you want to sing first?BI'd rather not.
• I'll pass.★★★
  私はやめておく
  誘い・おかわりを断る
  AMore cake?BI'll pass, thanks.
• Thanks, but no thanks.★★★
  せっかくだけど結構です
  きっぱり、やや皮肉を込めた断り
• Count me out.★★★
  私は抜けるよ
  ⇔ Count me in.（私も入れて）
  ALet's camp this weekend.BIn this rain? Count me out.
• Not if I can help it.★★★
  そうはさせない／できればごめんだ
  help＝避ける。「避けられるならしない」
  AWill you lose to him again?BNot if I can help it.
• Not on your life.★★★
  絶対にいやだ
  AWould you bungee jump?BNot on your life!
• Over my dead body.★★★
  私の目の黒いうちは許さない
  最強クラスの拒否
  ACan I dye my hair green?BOver my dead body!

最強の同意！決め台詞6

「話して」「もう一度言って」と直訳すると全滅する。

• You can say that again.★★★
  まったくそのとおり
  「何度でも言っていい」ほどの同意
  AThis summer is so hot.BYou can say that again.
• I'll say.★★★
  まったくだ
  I'll say so. の略。強い同意
  AWasn't that test hard?BI'll say!
• Tell me about it.★★★
  本当にそう（身にしみてる）
  この場面は「話して」ではない。苦労への共感
  ACommuting is exhausting.BTell me about it.
• You said it.★★★
  君の言うとおり
  AWe need a break.BYou said it!
• You're telling me!★★★
  言われなくてもわかってる（同感）
  自分のほうが身にしみている時
  AThe line is so long.BYou're telling me! I've waited an hour.
• Now you're talking.★★★
  そうこなくちゃ
  望んでいた提案が出た時
  ALet's order pizza instead.BNow you're talking!

「わからない」を粋に言う8

• Beats me.★★★
  さっぱりわからない
  It beats me. の It を省略
  AWhy is the store closed?BBeats me.
• Search me.★★★
  知らないよ
  「私を調べても答えは出ない」
  AWhere's the remote?BSearch me.
• Your guess is as good as mine.★★★
  私にもわからない
  「君の推測も私のと同程度」→誰も知らない
  AWhen will the bus come?BYour guess is as good as mine.
• You've got me there.★★★
  一本取られた／それは答えられない
  get＝（質問で）困らせる
  AIf you're so busy, why are you gaming?BYou've got me there.
• Not that I know of.★★★
  私の知る限りではない
  know of＝（存在を）知っている。of まで含めた形で覚える
  AIs there a test tomorrow?BNot that I know of.
• It's anyone's guess.★★★
  誰にもわからない
  AWho will win?BIt's anyone's guess.
• It's all Greek to me.★★★
  ちんぷんかんぷんだ
  シェイクスピア『ジュリアス・シーザー』のせりふで広まった
• I don't follow you.★★★
  話についていけない
  follow＝話の筋を理解する
  ASo the answer is the opposite.BSorry, I don't follow you.

記憶・ひらめきの一言5

• It slipped my mind.★★★
  うっかり忘れた
  主語は「忘れた物事」。心からすべり落ちる
  ADid you call Mom?BOh no, it slipped my mind.
• It's on the tip of my tongue.★★★
  喉まで出かかっている
  日本語は喉、英語は舌先
• That rings a bell.★★★
  聞き覚えがある
  否定 It doesn't ring a bell.＝ピンと来ない
  ADo you know Mr. Sato?BHmm, the name rings a bell.
• Come to think of it★★★
  そういえば／考えてみると
  文頭で使う
  Come to think of it, I haven't seen her this week.
• Now that you mention it★★★
  そう言われてみれば
  AIsn't it quiet today?BNow that you mention it, yes.

決める・保留する・予定を変える10

• I'll sleep on it.★★★
  一晩考えてみる
  即答を避ける大人の返事
  AWill you take the job?BLet me sleep on it.
• Let me think it over.★★★
  よく考えさせて
  think over＝じっくり考える
• I'm torn.★★★
  迷っている
  torn＝引き裂かれた。between A and B が続くことも
  AScience or art?BI'm torn between the two.
• It's your call.★★★
  君が決めて
  call＝判断・決定
  APizza or sushi?BIt's your call.
• Let's play it by ear.★★★
  臨機応変にやろう
  楽譜なしで弾く→その場で決める
  AWhat time should we leave?BLet's play it by ear.
• It's still up in the air.★★★
  まだ未定だ
  宙に浮いたまま
  AIs the trip on?BIt's still up in the air.
• Can I take a rain check?★★★
  また今度にしてもいい？
  雨天順延券から。断るが次は行きたい合図
  ADinner tonight?BCan I take a rain check?
• Something came up.★★★
  急用ができた
  理由をぼかす定番
  Sorry, I can't come. Something came up.
• I can't make it.★★★
  都合がつかない／間に合わない
  make it＝行ける・間に合う・うまくいく
  ACan you come on Friday?BSorry, I can't make it.
• It's a deal.★★★
  それで決まり
  交渉成立。Deal? — Deal! とも
  AI'll cook if you do the dishes.BIt's a deal.

話を進める・核心を突く8

• Let's get down to business.★★★
  本題に入ろう
  OK, everyone's here. Let's get down to business.
• Let's cut to the chase.★★★
  単刀直入にいこう
  映画でいきなり追跡場面へ飛ぶことから
  Let's cut to the chase. How much is it?
• To make a long story short★★★
  手短に言うと
  Long story short とも
  To make a long story short, we missed the last train.
• Stop beating around the bush.★★★
  遠回しに言うのはやめて
  beat around the bush＝やぶの周りをたたく
  Stop beating around the bush and tell me.
• That's beside the point.★★★
  それは論点がずれている
  beside＝そば→的の外
  ABut it was raining!BThat's beside the point.
• We're on the same page.★★★
  認識が一致している
  Good. So we're on the same page about the plan.
• The ball is in your court.★★★
  次は君が決める番だ
  テニスで球が相手のコートにある
  I've made my offer. The ball is in your court.
• You hit the nail on the head.★★★
  まさにそのとおりだ／核心を突いている
  釘の頭を正確に打つ→的確に言い当てる

たしなめる・言い返す10

失礼度が高いものも多い。会話の空気（怒り・あきれ）で選ぶ。

• Look who's talking.★★★
  人のこと言えないでしょ
  AYou're always late.BLook who's talking!
• You asked for it.★★★
  自業自得だ
  「自分で求めた結果」
  AI feel sick.BYou asked for it. You ate three burgers.
• Serves you right.★★★
  いい気味だ／当然の報いだ
  It serves you right. の It を省略
• Don't push your luck.★★★
  調子に乗るな
  運をそれ以上押すな
  ACan I borrow your car too?BDon't push your luck.
• I wasn't born yesterday.★★★
  そんな手にはのらない
  生まれたての赤ん坊じゃない
  AIt's real gold, only ten dollars.BI wasn't born yesterday.
• I'm not buying it.★★★
  そんな話は信じない
  buy＝（話を）信じる。口語
  AI was sick yesterday.BI'm not buying it.
• Give me a break.★★★
  勘弁してよ／冗談でしょ
  「少し休ませて」の意味もあり文脈で
  ACan you work Sunday too?BOh, give me a break!
• Mind your own business.★★★
  余計なお世話だ
  かなり失礼。None of your business. も同じ
  AHow much did you pay?BMind your own business.
• Get real.★★★
  現実を見ろよ
  AI'll be a millionaire by twenty.BGet real.
• You're on thin ice.★★★
  危ない立場にいるよ
  薄い氷の上＝あと一歩で失敗
  You've been late three times. You're on thin ice.

気づかう・水に流す9

• Don't sweat it.★★★
  気にするな
  sweat＝くよくよする
  ASorry I broke your pen.BDon't sweat it.
• No hard feelings.★★★
  恨みっこなしだよ
  You won fair and square. No hard feelings.
• Don't take it personally.★★★
  自分への攻撃だと受け取らないで
  personally＝自分個人に向けたものとして
  Don't take it personally. He's strict with everyone.
• You shouldn't have.★★★
  そんな気をつかわなくていいのに
  贈り物を受け取る場面ではお礼。非難ではない
  AThis is for you.BOh, you shouldn't have!
• I can't thank you enough.★★★
  感謝してもしきれない
  can't 〜 enough＝いくら～しても足りない
• Let bygones be bygones.★★★
  過去は水に流そう
  bygones＝過ぎたこと
• It's water under the bridge.★★★
  もう済んだことだ
  ASorry about last year.BIt's water under the bridge.
• I'll keep my fingers crossed.★★★
  幸運を祈ってるよ
  中指を人さし指に重ねる仕草から
  AMy interview is tomorrow.BI'll keep my fingers crossed.
• Break a leg!★★★
  頑張って！
  舞台に立つ人へ。「幸運を」と直接言うのを避けた言い方とされる
  AI'm on stage next.BBreak a leg!

状況をひと言で10

• So far, so good.★★★
  今のところ順調
  AHow's your new job?BSo far, so good.
• Can't complain.★★★
  まあまあだ（悪くない）
  「文句は言えない」→順調
  AHow are things?BCan't complain.
• Couldn't be better.★★★
  最高だ
  「これ以上よくなりえない」＝最上級の意味
  AHow are you?BCouldn't be better.
• It's a small world.★★★
  世間は狭いね
  You know my cousin? It's a small world!
• Speak of the devil.★★★
  噂をすれば影
  Speak of the devil, here comes Ken.
• That's news to me.★★★
  それは初耳だ
  AThe meeting was canceled.BThat's news to me.
• What's the catch?★★★
  何か裏があるの？
  catch＝落とし穴・隠れた条件
  AThis phone is free.BReally? What's the catch?
• Easier said than done.★★★
  言うは易く行うは難し
  AJust stop eating sweets.BEasier said than done.
• It's now or never.★★★
  今しかない
  The sale ends today. It's now or never.
• Take it or leave it.★★★
  嫌なら結構（これ以上譲らない）
  Ten dollars is my final price. Take it or leave it.

承諾・約束・前置きの一言8

• By all means.★★★
  ぜひどうぞ
  許可を求められた時の強い承諾
  AMay I use your dictionary?BBy all means.
• Be my guest.★★★
  どうぞご遠慮なく
  ACan I sit here?BBe my guest.
• Have it your way.★★★
  勝手にすれば
  投げやりな承諾。Suit yourself. と同類
  AI'm not wearing a coat.BHave it your way.
• Don't mind if I do.★★★
  じゃあ遠慮なく
  勧めを受ける時の返事
  AHave another cookie.BDon't mind if I do.
• You have my word.★★★
  約束するよ
  I'll be there on time. You have my word.
• I'm counting on you.★★★
  頼りにしてるよ
  count on＝当てにする
• I'm all ears.★★★
  ぜひ聞かせて
  全身が耳＝興味津々
  AI have an idea.BI'm all ears.
• Don't get me wrong.★★★
  誤解しないでね
  後ろに本音・批判が続く前置き
  Don't get me wrong. I like him, but he talks too much.