in the same boat
2017.03.29
Meaning:
‘in the same boat’ means ‘have the same problem’. We usually use it to respond to someone expressing negative feelings: eg ‘I’m tired’, ‘I’m bored’ etc. If you say ‘I’m in the same boat’ you are showing you understand the other person’s negative feelings. If you say ‘we’re all in the same boat’ you are showing you think everyone has the same problem, so that person has no special right to express negative feelings.
Example:
A: My friends are going overseas this summer, but I don’t have enough money…
B: Yeah, I’m in the same boat. I have enough for an overnight stay at an onsen, though. Do you want to come with me?
A: I’m tired. I can’t remember so many new English words.
B: Oh well, we’re all in the same boat. Learning a language is hard work.
Talking Point(s):
Can you think of a Japanese translation for this expression?
大人からの英会話getgo 西船橋・荻窪・津田沼・本八幡