7/30 (Wed.) 〜 8/1 (Fri.)

実践ビジネス英語　　　Wednesday, July 30

1) The H&B staffers describe their plans for summer vacation, with Lyons
saying that he and his family will spend two weeks in Hawaii. Collins has a
trip to England and Scotland set up and will stay in bed-and-breakfasts
while she is there as is her usual practice. She says she prefers
bed-and-breakfasts because of the opportunities they provide to meet other
travelers and exchange information with them.

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Stress-Free Vacation (1)

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2) be all set to
Completely ready, fully prepared to do something, such as, "'I'm all set to'
present my idea at the meeting tomorrow." Or "We 'are all set to' launch our
new model in September."

3) can't get enough of
No matter how much we experience something, we still want more of it. We
never get tired of it. The desire for it seems insatiable. Things like,
"Investors 'can't get enough of' IT stocks these days." Or "The press 'can't
get enough of' the scandal."

4) We also say "enough is enough." This means something should stop
happening. There's been too much of it. For example, "They want to extend
the deadline again? 'Enough is enough!'" Or "He's been late three times this
week. 'Enough is enough.'"

5) mellow
In this case, "mellow" is an adjective meaning laidback, calm, relaxed. It
can also be a verb, such as "He used to be very touchy, but he's 'mellowed'
with age."

6) unwind
Relax, relieve tension as if you are unwinding a rope that was wrapped
around something. You are making it straight and loose. You might read a
book to unwind after work or take a long bath.

7) An opposite expression is "be wound up" meaning tense or excited. For
example, "When she gets 'wound up' she does yoga to relax."

8) exchange notes
This doesn't mean actual written notes, but information, opinions. Collins
and other guests share their knowledge and opinions of different places
based on their experience or their study. We also say "compare notes," such
as "We got a meeting next week to 'compare notes' on the new advertising
campaign."

9) local places of interest
You could also say "local points of interest" in this situation or "local
attractions."

10) itinerary
Another tricky to pronounce but useful word. This is the rout of the
journey, the places you plan to go. Things like, "Our 'itinerary' includes
two days in Madrid." Or "Mary left a copy of her 'itinerary' in the shared
folder."

11) go off alone
In this case, "go off" means leave, head out. "Go off" can also mean
proceed, follow the expected or desired course. For example, "The
negotiations 'went off' very well. We reached a compromise on several
important points."

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実践ビジネス英語　　　Thursday, July 31

1) Umemura tells his colleagues that he is returning to Kobe to see family
and friends. And Garcia says she is going on a 10-day tour of Turkey for
solo travelers. Collins asks if she is looking for romance but Garcia says
the tour is just meant to combine the freedom of traveling solo with the
convenience of a group. She says not having to conform to others' wishes is
major attraction of travelling alone.

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Stress-free Vacation (2)

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2) catch up with
In this case, "catch up" is get up to date on something, learn the latest
things that have been happening. So Umemura and his family and friends will
tell each other what's happened in their lives since they last met. You
could email a friend and say, "I'd love to have lunch and 'catch up with'
you." Or "Let's have lunch and 'catch up.'"

3) When we are updating our relationship with someone, we say "catch up
with." However, when we are bringing ourselves up to date in some are, on
some subject, we can say "catch up with" or "catch up on." So I think "catch
up on" is a little more common in that case, such as, "I'm reading last
week's papers to 'catch up on' the news I missed."

4) head off to
Leave for somewhere, depart for somewhere. For example, "The train leaves at
5 so I'll 'head off' at 4."

5) "Head off" can also mean prevent, block something from happening, such as
"The government introduced stimulus measures to 'head off' a recession."

6) stick with
Here, "stick with" means remain with, not leave the company of. It can also
mean continue to do or use something, not change it. For example, "Should we
'stick with' our current supplier or look for replacement?" Or "She's 'stuck
with' the same bland for 20 years."

7) crossroads of cultures
We also have the expression "at a crossroads." This means at a place where a
decision has to be made or an action has to be taken, and it will affect our
future path. For example, "He is at a 'crossroads' in his career. He has to
decide whether to stay with his company or go freelance."

8) indulge in
Garcia means let yourself have something you enjoy, take unrestrained
pleasure in it, such as "I'm going to 'indulge in' some shopping this
weekend." Or "Come on! Have some cake. You can 'indulge.' It's a birthday
party."

9) meet up with
This is an informal expression meaning meet someone in order to do
something. "I'm 'meeting up' with some friends for drinks after work," for
example.

10) self-indulgent
This refers to the excessive or unrestrained gratification of our own
desires, our own ones, such as "I had a completely 'self-indulgent' lunch.
Hamburger with fries, milkshake and a chocolate sundae."

11) bow to the wishes of the majority
Submit, yield to what most people want. With "bow to" there's a nuance that
you don't really want to submit but you have to, such as "Company X
ultimately 'bow to' the union's demands due to the threat of a strike." Or
"The government refused to 'bow to' international pressure."

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実践ビジネス英語　　　Friday, August 1

1) According to Garcia, big cities are most popular among solo travelers, as
they contain such attractions as wonderful museums and excellent
restaurants. She says she chose Istanbul this year because of her love of
culture, and also recommends Dublin for people traveling alone. She praises
the Irish people's relaxed nature and such attractions as the National
Gallery and Dublin Castle while Collins recommends Irish pubs.

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Stress-Free Vacation (3)

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2) tempting
When something is tempting, it entices us. We think "Ooh, that seems good.
Hmm… Maybe I'd like that," such as "The salary is 'tempting,' but there
would be a lot of overtime." Or "The dessert buffet at the reception was so
'tempting.'"

3) top-notch
A "notch" is a small cut or indentation, often made as a record or a mark of
something. So "top-notch" means excellent, very high quality. For example,
"His presentation was 'top-notch.' The client loved it."

4) We also say "a notch above," which means superior, better. Imagine one
job candidate is especially good. You might say, "John Smith was 'a notch
above' the others. We should hire him."

5) world-class
Among the best in the world. Japan has many "world-class" restaurants, for
example. Obviously it produces "world-class" electronics as well.

6) Turkish delight
According to my dictionary, this is a jelly-like or gummy sweet that's
usually cut into cubes and dusted with sugar. The dictionary said it's also
called "Turkish paste," but that name seems to be much less common.

7) give something high marks
This expression uses "marks" in the sense of a rating, an assessment. So if
a college student "gets high marks" on an exam, then they got a good grade.
You could say, "I give our new boss 'high marks' for really listening to the
staff’s ideas." Or "Company X has gotten 'high marks' for its environmental
conservation work."

8) feel at home
Feel comfortable and relaxed in some environment as if you were in your
home. We also say "Make yourself at home," in other words, "Make yourself
comfortable," "Please feel relaxed in this environment." You could tell a
visitor, "'Make yourself at home' while I get us some coffee."

9) There's nothing like
Something is the greatest, the best, nothing compares to it. I think
'there's nothing like' miso soup on a cold day. Or you could say, "'There's
nothing like' your boss praising you in front of the whole office."

10) roaring fireplace
Here, "roar" means to make a loud noise or clamor. "The audience 'roared'
its approval," for example. Or "He 'roared' at the joke," meaning he laughed
very strongly and loudly.

【原稿チェック： Hiromi, Cecile】
【ディクテーション： Sanae】