shrinking violetとは 意味・読み方・使い方

語源

Possibly from the inconspicuous nature of the violet (genus Viola) flower and plant. The term appears to have been first used in the literal sense in the early 19th century.

発音

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA: /ˈʃɹɪŋkɪŋ ˈvaɪələt/, /ˈʃɹɪŋkɪŋ ˈvaɪlət/, /-lɪt/
• (General American) IPA: /ˈʃɹɪŋkɪŋ ˈvaɪələt/, /ˈʃɹɪŋkɪŋ ˈvaɪlət/
• ハイフネーション: shrink‧ing vio‧let

名詞

shrinking violet (plural shrinking violets)

1. (idiomatic) A very shy or timid person, who avoids contact with others if possible. [from early 19th c.]

   June, no shrinking violet she, crossed the room and introduced herself to the newcomers.

   • 1927, Ernest Bramah, Max Carrados Mysteries

     '"Shy", you said, sir! And I think you saw Moya less than six months ago? Well, the shrinking violet has been "had" twice since then for brawling, and if her mother hadn't contrived influenza in the very nick of time I understand that the timid fawn had arranged to chain herself to the minute hand of Big Ben.'

   • 1965, “So Long Mom (A Song for World War III)” (track 1, side 2), in That Was the Year That Was, performed by Tom Lehrer:

     Little Johnny Jones, he was a US pilot / And no shrinking violet was he / He was mighty proud when World War III was declared / He wasn't scared, no siree!

使用する際の注意点

• Often in the negative form no shrinking violet.

同意語

• See Thesaurus:shy person

参考

• wallflower

参照

Further reading

• Shrinking Violet on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• “shrinking violet”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.