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。

Perhaps you can get through to him, John?

SHERLOCK

（ジョン、君から言ってもらったほうがよさそうだ。）
　BBCドラマ「SHERLOCK」S1エピソード3 "The Great Game" より。シャーロックに国家がらみの捜査を依頼しに来た兄のマイクロフト。依頼を受けようとしない頑固（intransigent）なシャーロックとの話の最中、ジョンに助け舟を求める（というか、矛先を向ける）。
　「君なら彼に、事の重大さを理解させることができるだろう」「君からの話ならこの頑固者にも通じるだろうから言ってやってくれ」というような感じ。

  • "get through" というのは「切り抜ける」という意味でよく使われるけど、ここでは "get (something) through to someone" の形で成句。「〜を…に理解させる」「…に言いたいことが通じる」「話が通じる」という意味で使われている。（to succeed in making someone understand something, especially when this is difficult／to make somebody understand or accept what you say, especially when you are trying to help them／to express something clearly so that it is understood by someone／to make someone understand something）
    • I couldn't seem to get through to her.
    • How can I get it through to him that this is really important?
    • I find it impossible to get through to her.
    • I've talked to him many times, but I just can't seem to get through to him.
    • I hope I've finally gotten my message through to him.
    • Why don't you try to understand me? What do I have to do to get through to you?
    • Can anybody get through, or are you just stubborn?
  • 同じ "get through to someone" という形でも、電話のシーンだと「〜につなぐ」という意味に。根底にあるのは、人にconnectするっていうイメージ。
    • I called her on the telephone time after time, but I couldn't get through to her.
    • Where were you? I've been trying to get through to you all day!
    • I tried to call home but I couldn't get through.
    • I tried calling you several times but I couldn't get through.