※Simon先生のシリーズ前回の記事「Simon先生の英語ブログで学ぶ使える英語表現ーA Taste Of My Own Medicine 「しっぺ返しを食らう」」を見逃した方はこちらからどうぞ！

さて、今回のブログは、Take a Plunge 「ひと泳ぎする」！一体どんなお話なのでしょうか？

まず、Simon先生の英語ブログを読んでみよう！

Hello, this is Simon.

This year looks like it is going to be incredibly hot, if this last week is anything to go by. The only real reprieve we can seem to get is in our small inflatable pool. Since it was so hot last weekend, I decided to fill it up and take the kids for a plunge.

Before we hit the pool, we went to our local park, because my daughter was keen to go on some playground equipment. However, there was nobody there. It was sweltering hot, and I worried about the kids getting burned on some of the equipment. I tested the water by quickly touching the swings and slide. They were scorching, so we canned the park idea and went back home to the pool.

Getting in, my daughter hesitated at first. It took quite a while get get her entire body under the water. I told her to just, “Jump in feet first.” It’s a good way to approach most things in life. If you hesitate, you may miss out. My son seemed quite happy to go straight in. Being only two, I guess a little cold water doesn’t bother him yet.

The kids played well together in the pool, which was nice to see. Actually, they have been getting along swimmingly for some time now. My daughter would go under water and jump up suddenly to surprise my son. He shrieked with delight whenever it happened. He was completely at home in the water and not at all out of his depth.

We jumped in the pool two days in a row, and enjoyed every moment of. There is a lot of preparation and tidying up involved before and after using the pool, but it was well worth the effort. Lying in the cool water watching my kids frolic, was more than relaxing. I can see many happy hours being spent in there this summer…

ーそれでは、本文の中からピックアップした英語表現を見てみましょう！

“a plunge”

The noun “plunge” in this case means a leap into water, in other words a swim. It comes from the verb to “plunge” which means to fall or cause to fall suddenly into something. It is often used to express leaping into water for the first time.

“tested the water”

The expression to “test the water” means to check or find out if something is going to be OK or successful before actually doing it

(e.g. Before discussing my new proposal with the boss, I decided to test the water by asking how his week had been.)

“we canned the park idea”

The verb　“can” in this case means to quit or stop doing something

(e.g. The company decided to can the project when they realized how much over budget it had gone.)

“get along swimmingly”

The adverb “swimmingly” means smoothly and without any problems. It is often used in the expression to “get along swimmingly”, which describes to people working, playing, etc. well together.

“jump in feet first”

To “jump in feet first” means to jump into something such as water with your feet going in first. It also has a metaphorical meaning, which is to approach something without hesitation

(e.g. She always jumps feet first into whatever she does.)

It can have a positive or negative nuance depending on what you want to say.

“at home in the water”

To be “at home” in a place or situation means to feel completely comfortable in it

(e.g. We decided to change our son’s soccer club because he wasn’t enjoying it. However, since joining the new club, he seems really at home there.)

“out of his depth”

To be out of your depth means to be in water that is too deep for you or your ability. It can also mean to take on a job or task, or be in a situation that is beyond your ability.

With all this hot weather. I think a pool is the perfect way to cool down and relax. I hope you coping in this heat!

See you next month!

フルーツフルイングリッシュで英語表現の楽しさ感じてください 。初めての方には英作文添削チケット2回分をプレゼント。
「無料英語テスト800問（解説付）」メルマガも大人気。今すぐチェック！

Simon

Hello! My name is Simon.

I am from New Zealand, and have been living and teaching English in Japan since 1999.

My hobbies include movies, playing the guitar, gardening and hiking.