Question of the Day #1117

An outsider overhearing a conversation in a foreign language only hears a fog of sounds, thus perceiving anyone who can cobble together a sentence as “fluent”.

From the headline of this article at the BBC.

  上記の文で、cobble togetherの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "cobble together" mean?

  答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

 

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解答

意味：
英辞郎よりWeblioの方に適訳があるので、そちらの訳は、

急いでまとめられる

ですが、これも今ひとつのような気がします。どちらかと言うと「間に合わせで・やっつけ仕事で作った」のニュアンスの強いイディオムです。下記、英語の定義が的を得ていると思います。（「完璧ではなく使える程度の物を、素早く、あまり気を使わずまたはあまり努力をせずに作る」）
Cobble upも同じ意味です。

 

Answer

According to the Oxford Learner's Dictionary:

to produce something quickly and without great care or effort, so that it can be used but is not perfect

 

Examples

1. The essay was cobbled together from some old notes.
2. The reforms have been very hastily cobbled together.
3. The group had cobbled together a few decent songs.
4. In particular, the last half an hour was unconvincing and looked as if it had been hastily cobbled together just to get to the finishing line. Times, Sunday Times (2014)
5. the stranded hikers cobbled together a rickety shelter for the night

 

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