Phoning it in
의미: Putting minimal effort into a task; going through the motions without real engagement.
When someone is phoning it in, they're doing the bare minimum to get by. The image is of someone so disengaged they might as well not be present — just calling in their contribution. It's used for workers, performers, students, or anyone not giving their best effort.
예문
- The actor was totally phoning it in during that sequel — you could tell he didn't care. 那个演员在续集里完全是在敷衍——看得出来他根本不在乎。El actor estaba claramente pasando del tema en la secuela: se notaba que le daba igual.あの俳優は続編で完全にやる気なしだった――気持ちが入っていないのが丸わかりだったよ。그 배우는 속편에서 완전히 대충 했어 — 관심이 없는 게 뻔히 보였다.
- Don't phone it in on this project — the client is watching closely. 这个项目别敷衍了事——客户在密切关注。No te limites a cumplir el expediente en este proyecto: el cliente está muy pendiente.このプロジェクトで手を抜くなよ――クライアントが注目しているから。이 프로젝트에서 대충 하지 마 — 클라이언트가 주시하고 있으니까.
- I can always tell when a student is phoning it in on their essay. 学生写论文在敷衍的时候,我一眼就能看出来。Siempre noto cuándo un estudiante ha escrito la redacción sin ganas.学生がレポートで手を抜いているのはすぐにわかる。학생이 에세이에서 대충 쓴 건 바로 알 수 있어.
발음
사용 가이드
맥락: work, performance, criticism
어조: critical, disappointed
✓ 올바른 표현
- He's been phoning it in all month.他整个月都在敷衍了事。Lleva todo el mes sin dar palo al agua.彼は今月ずっと手を抜いている。그는 한 달 내내 대충하고 있어.
- Don't phone it in — give it your best.别敷衍——拿出你最好的表现。No lo hagas por cumplir: da lo mejor de ti.手を抜くな――全力でやれ。대충 하지 마 — 최선을 다해.
✗ 잘못된 표현
- Don't confuse with literally making a phone call — context makes the meaning clear不要和字面上的打电话混淆——根据语境就能理解其含义No confundir con hacer una llamada telefónica literalmente: el contexto deja claro el significado文字通りの電話をかける行為と混同しないこと――文脈で意味は明確になる문자 그대로 전화하는 것과 혼동하지 말 것 — 문맥상 의미가 명확하다
기원과 역사
American expression from the entertainment industry, originally describing performers who gave such lazy performances they might as well have called in their lines by telephone rather than showing up. Spread to general use in the late 20th century.
문화적 배경
Era: Late 20th century
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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