Question of the Day #124

“…and warning the president 'overplayed his hand' in meetings over the weekend.”
From the end of the first paragraph of this article in the Hill.

上記の文で、overplay one's handの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "overplay one's hand" mean?

答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

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解答

意味： 英辞郎によると、


〔交渉などで〕強く出過ぎる

ですが、英文の定義を読んでもらえばわかりますが、「〔交渉などで〕自分の立場等を過信して、強く出過ぎる」というニュアンスがあります。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

to make a mistake due to the belief that one's position is stronger or better than it really is

Etymology/語源

Online Etymology Dictionaryによると、

トランプ遊びからの隠喩。手持ちのトランプの割に強気に出過ぎること。(1926年)

According to Online Etymology Dictionary:

a metaphor from card games, in to overplay (one's) hand, "to spoil one's hand by bidding in excess of its value" (1926)

Examples

• The union overplayed its hand by demanding too much, causing the company to withdraw what would have been its best offer.
• ‘she chose to overplay her hand and lost the sympathy of those who could have saved her’
• ‘Firefighters should beware the dangers of overplaying their hand.’
• ‘It would appear that the Republicans totally overplayed their hand and the voters reacted accordingly.’
• ‘The young agent was so keen to serve the public interest that he overplayed his hand.’