Question of the Day #1380

Maine needs an experienced leader who has paid their dues

From the headline of this article at CentralMaine.com.

  上記の文で、pay one’s duesの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "pay one’s dues" 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：
英辞郎によると、

1. 〈俗〉〔苦労して〕権利［地位］を得る［獲得する］
2. 〈俗〉〔過失などの〕報いを受ける
3. 〈俗〉刑期を務める
4. 会費を払う

4番目の訳が、直訳になります。したがって、その訳から他の意味が派生したと思っていいでしょう。
なお、問題の見出しの訳は、「下積みをつんだ」がいいのではないかと思います。

 

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

1. Literally, to pay the requisite fees to enter into or remain in an organization.
2. By extension, to work hard, gain the necessary skills or experience, or suffer hardships (in order to earn a position, set of rights, the respect of others, etc.).
3. To serve the sentence given to one upon conviction of a crime.

 

Examples

1. I paid my dues working in the warehouse for 10 years before I got this job in the head office.
2. She'd paid her dues in small-town shows before she finally got a Broadway part.
3. He's paid his dues and deserves a promotion.
4. 2005 August 7, Jeff Leeds, “A Money Scandal That's Rocking Hip-Hop”, in New York Times‎[1], retrieved 17 July 2013:
   [S]he spent some time paying her dues at entry-level jobs.
5. 2005 November 6, Donald Morrison, “Still Enough Wrongs To Write”, in Time‎[2], archived from the original on 30 June 2013:
   He too championed the anti-apartheid cause, paid his dues, had his works banned.

   

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