undermine
意味: To gradually weaken or damage something, such as a person's confidence, authority, or an argument's credibility.
Undermine is one of the most useful verbs in academic and professional discourse for describing the weakening of an argument, position, or institution. Unlike 'destroy' or 'demolish,' it implies a gradual, often subtle process. You can undermine someone's confidence, undermine a theory with counter-evidence, or undermine democratic institutions through corruption. The literal meaning — to dig tunnels beneath a structure to make it collapse — is now rare but explains the metaphorical sense.
例文
- The leaked documents seriously undermined the government's credibility on the issue. 泄露的文件严重削弱了政府在这一问题上的公信力。Los documentos filtrados socavaron gravemente la credibilidad del gobierno en este asunto.流出した文書は、この問題に関する政府の信頼性を深刻に損ないました。유출된 문서는 이 문제에 관한 정부의 신뢰성을 심각하게 훼손했습니다.
- Constant criticism from her manager gradually undermined her confidence and enthusiasm for the role. 来自上司的持续批评逐渐削弱了她的信心和对这份工作的热情。Las críticas constantes de su jefa fueron minando gradualmente su confianza y entusiasmo por el puesto.上司からの絶え間ない批判が、彼女の自信とその職務への意欲を徐々にむしばみました。상사의 끊임없는 비판이 그녀의 자신감과 업무에 대한 열의를 서서히 잠식했습니다.
- New archaeological evidence threatens to undermine the long-accepted theory about the settlement's origins. 新的考古证据有可能推翻关于该定居点起源的长期公认理论。Las nuevas pruebas arqueológicas amenazan con socavar la teoría sobre los orígenes del asentamiento aceptada durante mucho tiempo.新たな考古学的証拠が、その集落の起源に関する長年受け入れられてきた学説を覆す恐れがあります。새로운 고고학적 증거가 그 정착지의 기원에 관해 오랫동안 받아들여져 온 학설을 뒤흔들 우려가 있습니다.
発音
使い方ガイド
場面: academic, media, professional
トーン: neutral
起源と歴史
From Middle English underminen, from under- (beneath) and mine (to dig), originally meaning to dig tunnels under a fortification to cause it to collapse. The figurative sense emerged by the 15th century.
文化的背景
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
このトピックの他の表現
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