Foxhole
Meaning: A defensive fighting position; a place of shelter during danger.
A small pit dug by soldiers for protection from enemy fire. Metaphorically, it means any situation where you're under pressure and need reliable allies. 'Foxhole friends' are people you trust in a crisis. 'There are no atheists in foxholes' is a famous American saying.
Examples
- When things go wrong, you find out who your foxhole friends really are. 事情出了问题的时候,你才知道谁是真正能共患难的朋友。Cuando las cosas van mal, descubres quiénes son tus verdaderos compañeros de trinchera.ことが上手くいかなくなった時、本当の塹壕仲間が誰かわかる。일이 잘못될 때, 진짜 참호 친구가 누구인지 알게 된다.
- I want her in my foxhole — she never panics under pressure. 我想让她和我并肩作战——她在压力下从不慌张。La quiero en mi trinchera — nunca pierde la calma bajo presión.彼女なら塹壕を共にしたい — プレッシャーの下でも絶対にパニックにならない。그녀라면 참호를 함께하고 싶다 — 압박 속에서도 절대 당황하지 않으니까.
- There are no atheists in foxholes, as they say. 俗话说,散兵坑里没有无神论者。En las trincheras no hay ateos, como suele decirse.塹壕に無神論者はいない、とよく言うだろう。참호에 무신론자는 없다고들 하잖아.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: military, trust and loyalty, crisis situations
Tone: serious, loyal
✓ Do Say
- I want you in my foxhole.我希望你在我的散兵坑里。Te quiero en mi trinchera.I want you in my foxhole.(お前となら塹壕を共にしたい。)널 내 참호에 데려가고 싶어.
- Foxhole friends are the real ones.散兵坑里的朋友才是真朋友。Los amigos de trinchera son los de verdad.Foxhole friends are the real ones.(塹壕仲間こそ本物の友だ。)참호 친구가 진짜 친구다.
✗ Don't Say
- The saying about atheists can be controversial — use with awareness.关于无神论者的那句谚语可能引发争议——使用时注意场合。El dicho sobre los ateos puede ser polémico — úsalo con precaución.無神論者に関する格言は物議を醸すことがある — 使う際は注意。무신론자에 관한 격언은 논란이 될 수 있으니 주의해서 사용하라.
Origin & History
American military term from World War I, though the concept is ancient. The name comes from the small, fox-like burrows soldiers dug for protection.
Cultural Context
Era: 1910s–present
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: All regions
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