accomplish an important task／achieve something important
大事は小事より起こる
Great things have small beginnings.
大事の前の小事
〔小事も大切にせよ〕One should be careful of small things if one is aiming to achieve great successes.／〔小事は捨てよ〕Small sacrifices may be inevitable in order to achieve great things.
党内のもめごとは国家統一という大事の前の小事にすぎなかった
The intraparty strife was a mere trifle compared with the great enterprise of uniting the nation.
2〔危ないこと〕
反乱は大事に至らないうちに鎮圧された
The rebellion was put down before it got out of control.
3〔重要〕大事な important
大事な用事で出掛けた
He went out on important business.
受験前の大事な時期に風邪をひいた
He caught a cold before the examination, just when it was most important for him to be in good health.
大事な点で意見が割れた
Opinions differed on a crucial point.
病人は今が一番大事な時だ
This is the most critical time for the patient.
彼は大事な時にいつもいない
He is never around when he is needed.
4〔大切〕大事な precious; valuable
大事なものはそこいらに置かないでください
Don't leave valuables lying around.
大事な友達を失った
He lost 「a valued [his dearest] friend.
5〔粗末にしない〕
このコップは割れやすいから大事に扱ってください
Please handle these glasses carefully, because they are fragile.
先生の忠告を大事に守った
He followed his teacher's advice faithfully.
お体をお大事に
Take (good) care of yourself.
彼は皆から大事にされる
He is always made much of.
大事にしている指輪が見付からない
A ring which I treasure is missing.
大事にしすぎると子供は神経質になることがある
Children may grow high-strung if they are overprotected.
大事を取るに越したことはない
You will never lose by being careful.／《口》 「There's nothing like [Nothing beats] being careful.
大事を取って医者に診てもらった
I consulted a doctor just as a precaution.
大事を取って補欠を３人残した
We kept three players in reserve, just to 「be on the safe side [play it safe].
