続　今日の英語

はてなダイアリーで地味に続けていた「今日の英語」の続き。日常出会った気になる英語表現を、オンライン辞書の例文などとともにメモしています。

Hey, cut me some slack here, will ya?!

Lupin the Third

（ごちゃごちゃ言わんでいただけますかな！？）
　ルパン三世「ルパン対複製人間」より。ルパンは絶対やってくる、と確信を持つ銭形警部に、エジプト警察は懐疑的。本当に来るんですかな、この警備が無駄にならなければいいが、と嫌みを言われ、銭形が返したセリフ。

  • cut someone some slack＝「〜に余裕・猶予を与える／〜に息抜きさせてやる／〜をもう少し寛大な目で見てやる」（allow someone some leeway in their conduct. ※leeway：ゆとり、余裕／to allow someone to do something without criticizing them or making it more difficult／to give someone a break／to allow someone a reprieve from the consequences of an action ※reprieve：一時的に救う／to allow someone to do something that is not usually allowed, or to treat someone less severely than is usual ※severely：厳しく／to give someone additional freedom）
  • slack単体での意味は「だらけた、怠慢な」「ゆるみ、たるみ」。
    • Hey, cut me some slack, man, I'm only a few bucks short.
    • Cut me some slack and I'll be sure to pay you all I owe in a month.
    • Officials have asked the Environmental Protection Agency to cut Utah some slack in enforcing the Clean Air Act.
    • I'm going to cut you some slack. Because it's the last day of classes, we don't have to talk anything serious today.
    • If you and your kids don't agree about their futures, cut them some slack - explain your views, but don't try to force them to agree.
    • Come on! Cut me a break ! I won't do it again!
    • Mom, cut me some slack. I’m a good kid. I never do anything wrong. Just let me stay out an hour later tonight. I want to be at the party until at least midnight.
    • Cut me some slack, Jack. I’m sick and tired of listening to you talk about your car all day.