B2 noun ニュートラル

blackball

/ˈblæk.bɔːl/

A negative vote cast against a candidate for admission to a club or organization, which prevents their membership. It also refers more broadly to the act of ostracizing or excluding someone from a social circle or group through a collective decision.

例文

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1

He was worried that one old member might cast a blackball against his application to the golf club.

He was worried that one old member might cast a blackball against his application to the golf club.

2

According to the bylaws, a single blackball is sufficient to reject any prospective member.

According to the bylaws, a single blackball is sufficient to reject any prospective member.

3

He's been getting the blackball from the local music scene ever since that scandal.

He's been getting the blackball from the local music scene ever since that scandal.

語族

名詞
blackball
Verb
blackball
形容詞
blackballed
関連
blackballing
💡

覚え方のコツ

Imagine a ballot box where everyone drops a white ball to say 'Yes,' but a single 'Black Ball' is heavy enough to sink the whole application.

クイックテスト

The candidate was devastated when a single member decided to cast a ______ against her membership, effectively barring her from the society.

正解!

正解は: blackball

例文

1

He was worried that one old member might cast a blackball against his application to the golf club.

everyday

He was worried that one old member might cast a blackball against his application to the golf club.

2

According to the bylaws, a single blackball is sufficient to reject any prospective member.

formal

According to the bylaws, a single blackball is sufficient to reject any prospective member.

3

He's been getting the blackball from the local music scene ever since that scandal.

informal

He's been getting the blackball from the local music scene ever since that scandal.

4

Sociological studies of 19th-century gentlemen's clubs highlight the power of the blackball in maintaining social hierarchies.

academic

Sociological studies of 19th-century gentlemen's clubs highlight the power of the blackball in maintaining social hierarchies.

5

The executive's blackball ensured that the controversial proposal never reached the board of directors.

business

The executive's blackball ensured that the controversial proposal never reached the board of directors.

語族

名詞
blackball
Verb
blackball
形容詞
blackballed
関連
blackballing

よく使う組み合わせ

cast a blackball cast a blackball
receive a blackball receive a blackball
unanimous blackball unanimous blackball
the power of the blackball the power of the blackball
fear the blackball fear the blackball

よく使うフレーズ

to cast a blackball

to cast a blackball

blackball rule

blackball rule

give someone the blackball

give someone the blackball

よく混同される語

blackball vs blacklist

A blacklist is a list of people/entities to be avoided; a blackball is the specific act or vote of rejection from a group.

blackball vs blackmail

Blackmail involves demanding money or favors in exchange for keeping secrets, unrelated to voting or exclusion.

📝

使い方のコツ

While originally referring to a physical ball used in secret voting, it is now often used metaphorically for any act of social or professional exclusion. It is most commonly seen in contexts involving elite clubs, professional organizations, or historical fiction.

⚠️

よくある間違い

Learners often use 'blackball' as a synonym for 'bullying.' While they are related, blackballing is a specific form of exclusion from a group membership rather than general harassment.

💡

覚え方のコツ

Imagine a ballot box where everyone drops a white ball to say 'Yes,' but a single 'Black Ball' is heavy enough to sink the whole application.

📖

語源

Derived from the 18th-century practice in private clubs where members voted on applicants using white balls for approval and black balls for rejection.

文法パターン

Countable noun Regular plural: blackballs Can function as a transitive verb
🌍

文化的な背景

The term is deeply rooted in the history of British and American 'Gentlemen's Clubs' where high social standing was required for entry.

クイックテスト

The candidate was devastated when a single member decided to cast a ______ against her membership, effectively barring her from the society.

正解!

正解は: blackball

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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