C1 verb フォーマル

beholden

/bɪˈhoʊl.dən/

Being under a moral or legal obligation to someone in return for a favor, service, or help. It describes a state of being indebted or bound by gratitude to another party.

例文

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1

I don’t like asking for favors because I hate feeling beholden to anyone.

I dislike requesting assistance because I do not want to feel obligated to others.

2

The judge was accused of being beholden to the political interests of the ruling party.

The judge was criticized for being under the influence and obligation of the ruling party's interests.

3

You helped me out big time, but don't think I'm beholden to you forever!

You assisted me significantly, but do not assume I am permanently in your debt.

語族

名詞
beholdenness
Verb
behold
形容詞
beholden
関連
obligation
💡

覚え方のコツ

Think of the phrase 'to be held'. If you are 'be-hold-en', someone is 'holding' a favor over you, and you are tied to them until the debt is paid.

クイックテスト

After the bank bailed out the small firm, the owners felt ________ to the board of directors.

正解!

正解は: beholden

例文

1

I don’t like asking for favors because I hate feeling beholden to anyone.

everyday

I dislike requesting assistance because I do not want to feel obligated to others.

2

The judge was accused of being beholden to the political interests of the ruling party.

formal

The judge was criticized for being under the influence and obligation of the ruling party's interests.

3

You helped me out big time, but don't think I'm beholden to you forever!

informal

You assisted me significantly, but do not assume I am permanently in your debt.

4

Economic historians argue that the colony remained beholden to the empire long after formal independence.

academic

Scholars suggest the colony stayed dependent and obligated to the empire after achieving independence.

5

The CEO made it clear that the company is not beholden to its minor shareholders.

business

The chief executive stated that the corporation has no specific obligations to its small-scale investors.

語族

名詞
beholdenness
Verb
behold
形容詞
beholden
関連
obligation

よく使う組み合わせ

beholden to no one not owing anything to anybody
deeply beholden very much in debt or obligation to someone
feel beholden to have a sense of being obligated
financially beholden owing money or financial loyalty to someone
politically beholden owing political favors or loyalty

よく使うフレーズ

beholden to special interests

controlled or influenced by groups seeking special advantages

to be beholden to someone's charity

to rely on and be obligated by someone's kindness

remain beholden

to continue to be in a state of obligation

よく混同される語

beholden vs beholding

'Beholding' is the present participle of 'behold' (meaning to see), while 'beholden' means being obligated.

beholden vs behold

'Behold' is a verb meaning to see or observe, whereas 'beholden' is an adjective describing a state of debt.

📝

使い方のコツ

The word is almost always used with the preposition 'to'. While it can express simple gratitude, it often carries a negative connotation of being controlled by the person to whom one is indebted.

⚠️

よくある間違い

Learners often try to use 'beholden' as a verb (e.g., 'I beholden him'). It must be used as an adjective with the verb 'to be' or 'to feel'.

💡

覚え方のコツ

Think of the phrase 'to be held'. If you are 'be-hold-en', someone is 'holding' a favor over you, and you are tied to them until the debt is paid.

📖

語源

Originally the past participle of the Middle English 'beholden', which meant 'to hold' or 'to keep', implying that one is 'held' by an obligation.

文法パターン

used as a predicative adjective followed by the preposition 'to' can be modified by adverbs like 'deeply' or 'forever'
🌍

文化的な背景

Often used in American political commentary to describe candidates who accept large donations from corporations.

クイックテスト

After the bank bailed out the small firm, the owners felt ________ to the board of directors.

正解!

正解は: beholden

関連単語

you

A1

Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.

people

A1

People refers to a group of human beings or the general public. It is the standard plural form of the word 'person'.

put

A1

To move something into a particular place or position. It is a fundamental verb used to describe the act of placing an object or setting a situation in a specific location.

mean

A1

To have a specific sense or significance, especially when explaining a word or sign. It can also describe a person's intention or the importance of something to someone.

keep

A1

To continue to have or hold something in your possession or at your disposal. It also means to remain in a specific state, condition, or position without changing.

begin

A1

To start doing something or for an event to happen for the first time. It is often used to describe the first point of a process or activity.

seem

A1

To give the impression of being something or having a particular quality based on what you see or hear. It is used to describe an appearance or feeling that may or may not be the actual truth.

help

A1

To make it easier for someone to do something by offering your services, resources, or support. It can involve physical effort, providing information, or giving money to assist a person or a cause.

talk

A1

To speak in order to give information or express ideas, feelings, or thoughts. It typically involves a conversation between two or more people or a person addressing an audience.

start

A1

To begin doing something or to cause something to happen for the first time. It is frequently used when talking about movements, journeys, or making a machine or engine begin to work.

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