実践ビジネス英語 Thursday, April 4
1) Lyons says small talk is an acquired skill for Americans when they must deliberately work on and recommends that Umemura talk about things like Japan's cherry blossoms when discussing the spring weather. Collins says small talk can help start conversations between people who don't know each other, and Breakstone adds that it can fill uncomfortable poses at parties and receptions.
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The Power of Small Talk (2)
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2) you name a subject: We often use "you name A" to mean any "A" you can think of, any "A" naturally this is often hyperbole meaning many, many types of "A," such as "'You name an industry.' He's worked in it." And you can also take off the "you" at the beginning, as in, "'Name a country,' she's been there."
3) acquired skill: Lyons means a skill people have to work to acquire that doesn't just happen naturally. We also talk about an "acquired taste," which is something that takes time to appreciate that may seem dull, strange or unpleasant at first.
4) Likewise, Noh plays might be described as an "acquired taste."
5) be in full bloom: Another common expression using "bloom" is "late bloomer." This refers to someone whose talents, skills take time to emerge or develop. It's often used in reference to children, as in "Johnny was a 'late bloomer,' finally showing an aptitude for science in high school."
6) You can use it about adults too, as in "She was a 'late bloomer,' writing her first novel at 65."
7) turn over a new leaf: Here "leaf" is not the leaf on a tree but a the leaf in a book, a page. When we "turn over a new leaf," we change our behavior or attitude for the better.
8) Imagine someone who's always been careless with money. If she changed that behavior, you could say, "She decided to 'turn over a new leaf' and start living frugally."
9) there's no better time than: If "there's no better time than" X, then X is the best time. And you can combine "no better than" with any number of words. "'There's no better place than' Japan for going to a hot spring," for example, or "'There's no better negotiator than' Jane."
10) there you go: This is a very flexible expression, applicable to many situations where you want to say, "That's it." "You're doing something right." "That's the right way." Imagine you are showing someone how to use a computer program. When they start to get it right, you could say, "Oh, 'there you go.' You are getting the hang of it."
11) break the ice: There's often tension between people who have to speak or interact with each other or a barrier as if they are frozen in ice. To "break the ice" is to relieve that tension, remove that barrier. A joke can be a good way to "break the ice," for example.
12) come in handy: To "come in handy" is to be useful or convenient. One smartphone app that really "comes in handy" is the map app on my phone. I just put in an address and it shows me exactly how to get there.
13 To "keep or have something handy" means it's close and ready for use when it's needed. I always "keep a pair of nail clippers handy" so my hands will look nice.
