spur

促す、奮起させる

人を行動する気にさせたり、物事の進みを速めたりする。

やさしい英語で： To encourage someone to act, or make something happen faster.

• The news spurred him to act.
• Lower prices could spur demand.
• Her coach’s praise spurred her on during the race.

使い方： spur someone to do something (The award spurred her to write another book.); spur someone into something (The warning spurred them into action.); spur someone on (The crowd spurred the runners on.)

類義語： encourage, stimulate, prompt

反対語： discourage

よく使う表現： spur someone on, spur economic growth, spur someone into

拍車をかける

靴につけた金具の先を馬に押し当て、速く進ませる。

やさしい英語で： To press metal points on your boots against a horse to make it move faster.

• He spurred his horse forward.
• The rider spurred her mount into a gallop.
• Do not spur a tired horse.

使い方： spur a horse into something (She spurred her horse into a gallop.)

類義語： urge on

よく使う表現： spur a horse, spur something forward

拍車

馬を動かすため、乗り手がかかとにつける先のとがった金具。

やさしい英語で： A pointed metal piece worn on a rider’s heel to make a horse move.

• A metal spur was fixed to his boot.
• The rider wore silver spurs.
• She touched the horse gently with one spur.

よく使う表現： riding spur, metal spur, spur on something, silver spur

刺激、励み

人に行動を起こさせたり、もっと努力しようと思わせたりするもの。

やさしい英語で： Something that encourages a person to act or try harder.

• The prize was a useful spur.
• Competition provided a spur to better service.
• Her early success became a spur to further effort.

使い方： a spur to something (The grant was a spur to new research.)

類義語： incentive, encouragement, stimulus

反対語： deterrent

よく使う表現： spur to action, spur to growth, a useful spur

蹴爪

特に雄のニワトリなどの足の近くに生える、硬くとがった突起。

やさしい英語で： A hard, sharp point growing near an animal’s foot, especially on a male chicken.

• The rooster had a sharp spur.
• One of the bird’s spurs was broken.
• Male chickens use their spurs during fights.

類義語： spike

よく使う表現： rooster spur, sharp spur, leg spur