Question of the Day #314

"Trump portrait: you couldn’t create a creepier Yuletide scene if you tried"
From the headline of this article at The Guardian.

上記の文で、creepier の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "creepier" mean?

答えは、コメントに書いてください。
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明日、ここに答えを書きます。
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解答

意味：
Creepierは、creepyの活用形です。 英辞郎によると、


1. 〔虫が〕はい回る
2. むずむずする、ゾクゾクする、身の毛のよだつような、気味悪い、ゾッとする

この場合は、当然2番ですが、2番の意味は多くの人が1番の「〔虫が〕はい回る」様子を気持ち悪がることからきています。
活用は、creepy, creepier, creepiestです。

ちなみに、英語圏の人がコーヒー用の「森永クリープ」(Creap)を気持ち悪がる理由は、creepと同じ発音と似た綴りだからです。

Answer

"Creepier" is, of course, a form of "creepy." According to Merriam-Webster:

1. producing a nervous shivery apprehension
2. of, relating to, or being a creep : annoyingly unpleasant

Although both definitions seem to fit this headline, I think I'll go with definition 1. For what it's worth, there is a Japanese powdered creamer called Creap of all things. Needless to say, it is not popular with English-speaking foreigners.

Etymology/語源

Online Etymology Dictionaryによると、

「這う様子」の意味は、1794から。「肌に虫が這うような感じ」は1831年から、また現在使われているこのような「ゾクゾクする、身の毛のよだつような」雰囲気は1858年から。

According to Online Etymology Dictionary:

1794, "characterized by creeping," from creep + -y (2). Meaning "having a creeping feeling in the flesh" is from 1831; that of producing such a feeling, the main modern sense, is from 1858.

Examples

• The snakelike branches overhead were creepier when she could see them in daylight, and the few birds and insects she saw made her shudder.
• Rees described the novel as "a creepier book than people think. — The Long Goodbye (novel)
• After they head back to their cabin and night sets in, things become even creepier. — Villmark
• "Entertainment Weekly" gave the film a B- rating, calling the film "trash, but creepier than you expect. — House on Haunted Hill (1999 film)
• ...Lilith should be a woman or little girl, with the writers eventually settling on the latter because they found it creepier. — Supernatural (season 3)

Question of the Day #313

"After criticism, Trump pushes out Mattis sooner than planned"
From the headline of this article at AP News.

上記の文で、push out の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "push out" mean?

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


押し出す［のける］、排除する

となっていますが、この場合は「解任する」に意訳するのがいいでしょう。

Answer

According to Oxford Learner's Dictionaries:

to make somebody leave a place or an organization

Examples

• I felt I was being pushed out of the job.

Question of the Day #312

"Trump downplays resignation of anti-ISIS special envoy Brett McGurk, calls it 'nothing event'"
From the headline of this article at ABC News.

上記の文で、downplay の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "downplay" mean?

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


〔物事を実際よりも〕軽く見る［扱う］、軽視する、見くびる、重要視しない

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

PLAY DOWN, DE-EMPHASIZE

Etymology/語源

Online Etymology Dictionaryによると、

1968年から。動詞句のplay ~ downより。音楽や演劇関係から派生したかもしれない。

According to Online Etymology Dictionary:

"de-emphasize, minimize," 1968, from verbal phrase play (something) down, which is perhaps from music or theater

Examples

• Athletes often downplay their injuries.
• he self-deprecatingly downplays his own contributions to the festival's success
• The government has been trying to downplay the crisis.
• ‘this report downplays the seriousness of global warming’
• The press has downplayed the president's role in the negotiations.

Question of the Day #311

"Japan drops by three to 114th in gender equality rankings by World Economic Forum"
From the headline of this article at the Japan Times.

上記の文で、gender equalityの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "gender equality" mean?

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


男女の平等、ジェンダーの平等、男女同権

なお、例文の場合は、形容詞として使っているので本当ならばハイフォンを入れたgender-equalityが正しいのですが、ハイフォンを省略する場合は少なくない。

Answer

According to Dictionary.com:

the state of having the same rights, status, and opportunities as others, regardless of one's gender.

Examples

• Gender equality does not imply that women and men are the same, but that they have equal valueand should be accorded equal treatment.
• Things like more economic development, better education, and “gender-equality measures.”
• Massachusetts should take the lead in starting a gender-equality movement in the name of Senator TedKennedy.
• Gender equality is equality between women and men, who should have the same opportunities to shape society and their own lives. This area includes issues such as power, influence, finances, education, work and physical integrity.
• Gender equality addresses the tendency to ascribe, in various settings across societies, different roles and status to individuals on the basis of gender. 

Question of the Day #310

"Aeon teams with Go-Jek in new Southeast Asian drive"
From the headline of this article at Nikkei Asian Review.

上記の文で、team with の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "team with" mean?

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解答

意味：
英辞郎を調べるとteam withの例がたくさんありますが、この場合はteam with local policeの例が適訳です。


地元の警察と協力する

ということは、このteam withは、team up withの省略形であると考えていいでしょう。

～とチームを組む、～と協力［提携］する◆【同】partner with

Answer

According to Dictionary.com:

to gather or join in a team, a band, or a cooperative effort (usually followed by up, together, etc.).

Examples

• ‘he teamed up with the band to produce the disc’
• Lang teamed with Draper to develop the vaccine.
• to team up on a research project
• But I think Steve Austin has to team up with a Japanese holdout to stop a nuclear bomb from going off or something.

Question of the Day #309

"Suspected gas explosion destroys eatery in Japan, hurts 42"
From the headline of this article at ABC News.

上記の文で、eateryの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "eatery" mean?

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


〈米話〉飲食店、レストラン

複数形は、eateries

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

 LUNCHEONETTE, RESTAURANT

The plural form is eateries.

Examples

• we usually go to lunch at an eatery that is just around the corner from the office
• Readers, what are your favorite eateries where kids can eat for free? — Sally Deneen, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Free kid's meals offered at South Florida restaurants," 12 July 2018
• Gelato gets packed in a croissant, doused in espresso, and made into sundaes and shakes at this Disney Springs eatery. — Lauren Delgado, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Take a break from steamy summer with cool, creamy gelato," 12 July 2018
• The elite youngsters were photographed walking into the exclusive London eatery yesterday evening.
• As Samuelsson tells it over lunch at his celebrated Harlem eatery , Red Rooster, he wouldn't have it any otherway.

Question of the Day #308

"With debate on constitutional reform sidelined, has immigration law been a pyrrhic victory for Abe?"
From the headline of this article at the Japan Times.

上記の文で、pyrrhic victory の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "pyrrhic victory" mean?

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


犠牲が多くて引き合わない勝利◆エピラス（Epirus）のピュロス（Pyrrhus）王がローマ軍と戦った。

なお、下記英語の説明にあるようにpyrrhic自体に形容詞として「犠牲が多くて引き合わない」の意味があります。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

a victory that is not worth winning because so much is lost to achieve it

It should be noted that pyrrhic can be used with a similar meaning by itself. According to Merriam-Webster:

1. achieved at excessive cost
2. also: costly to the point of negating or outweighing expected benefits

Etymology/語源

Online Etymology Dictionaryによると、

1885年から。紀元前280年にエピラス（Epirus）のピュロス（Pyrrhus）王がローマ軍と戦って勝利したが、自軍の犠牲があまりにも大きくその後にローマを攻めることが不可能となったことから。

According to Online Etymology Dictionary:

1885 (usually in phrase Pyrrhic victory), from Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, who defeated Roman armies at Asculum, 280 B.C.E., but at such cost to his own troops that he was unable to follow up and attack Rome itself....

Examples

• It's a pyrrhic symbolic victory that could actually be causing extra environmental damage.
• This will be a war of attrition and a Pyrrhic and Camdean Victory for myself.
• Legislators are no longer thinking ahead even as far as the next election; all their focus is on the next Pyrrhicvictory.
• But Howard Kurtz says it could prove a pyrrhic victory that could threaten his second-term agenda.
• However, if that is all that is accomplished, it will be a Pyrrhic victory.

Question of the Day #307

"The Japanese economy contracted the most in over four years in the third quarter as companies slashed spending"
From the first sentence of this article at Reuters.

上記の文で、contractの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "contract" mean?

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


1. 〔規模や程度が〕縮小［収縮］する、縮まる
2. 《医》〔筋肉が〕収縮する

この場合は、もちろん1番です。
なお、記事の見出しのshrinkと同じ意味です。ここであえて同義語を使っていることに注目しましょう。

Answer

According to :

to become smaller in amount or quantity

Etymology/語源

Online Etymology Dictionaryによると、

小さい範囲に収めること、小さくする、縮めるの意味は14世紀の終わり頃から。

According to Online Etymology Dictionary:

late 14c., "to draw into a smaller compass, become smaller, shrink" (intransitive)

Examples

• A recession is a period when the economy is contracting.
• Agricultural output has contracted by 2.3 percent.
• The manufacturing economy contracted in October for the sixth consecutive month.

Question of the Day #306

"Ikumen: How Japan’s ‘hunky dads’ are changing parenting"
From the headline of this article at .

上記の文で、hunkyの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "hunky" mean?

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によるとhunkyは、


〈俗〉〔特に男性が〕体格のがっしりした、筋肉質でセクシーな

ということになっているが、日本人男性のイメージとちょっと違うと思うので、同じページにあるhunky guyの和訳を見ると、

《a ～》〈俗〉格好いい［セクシーな・たくましい］男性

ということになるので、「格好いいお父さんたち」でいいのではないでしょうか。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

being a hunk : attractive and usually well-built

However, given that "well-built" men aren't all that popular in Japan, the "hunky dads" in the above headline should probably be interpreted as "attractive dads."

Etymology/語源

Merriam-Websterによると、

上記の意味で初めて使用されたのが1972年。

According to Merriam-Webster:

First Known Use of hunky
Adjective
1972, in the meaning defined above

Examples

• Here's how we're used to seeing hunky male superstars in their downtime: tuxedoed up on the red carpet, holding hands with pencil-thin beauties. — Sheila Weller, Good Housekeeping, "Meet Mr. Romance: Hugh Jackman," 11 July 2013
• There’s the winsome barista, Tara (Vanessa Hudgens), caught in a love triangle with a hunky vet, Dr. Mike (Michael Cassidy), and an altruistic but nerdy dog-rescue-center owner, Garrett (Jon Bass). — Katie Walsh, The Seattle Times, "Pups lift the doldrums of ‘Dog Days’," 7 Aug. 2018
• I think he's quite hunky.
• Sam Claflin— hunky , pretty, beautiful Sam Claflin—won the highly sought-after role.
• Hardly anyone could be more blue collar than Palin, out on the fishing boat with her hunky blue-collar husband, Todd.

Question of the Day #305

"Japan has so many vacant homes it's giving them away"
From the headline of this article at CNN.com.

上記の文で、vacant homesの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "vacant homes" mean?

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によるとvacantの意味は、


〔場所が〕空いている、使われていない

ということで、vacant homesは「空き家」のことです。 また、同記事の6段落目の最後に"...Japan's countryside has become haunted by deserted 'ghost' houses, known as "akiya."とあることから、ghost housesも同じ意味で使われていることがわかります。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster, "vacant means:

not lived in

And further cites as an example, "vacant houses."

Question of the Day #304

"The G20 Communiqué Bookends the George H.W. Bush Era"
From the headline of this article at The Atlantic.

上記の文で、bookend の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "bookend" mean?

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


～を〔ブックエンドのように両脇から〕はさむ

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

to serve as or mark the beginning and ending of (something): to be the first and last parts or events of (something)

Examples

• Steven Spielberg bookended "Saving Private Ryan" with 5 pointless opening minutes and 5 even more pointless closing minutes.
• … a movie that, together with All the President's Men, bookends the era of heroic investigative journalism. — Rand Richards Cooper
• This account is based on interviews with people involved in and familiar with the discussions and negotiations that stretched between Mr. Musk’s first tweets and a blog post late Friday night that put a bookend on the deal. — Tim Higgins, WSJ, "Public Bravado, Private Doubts: Inside the Unraveling of Elon Musk’s Tesla Buyout," 27 Aug. 2018
• … the period bookended by the Civil War and the civil rights movement. — Christopher Benfey
• The anthology is bookended by an introductory essay by the editors … and an epilogue … — C. L. Salter

Question of the Day #303

"Russian President Vladimir Putin "tried again to muck around in our elections this last month, and we are seeing a continued effort along those lines,” Mattis told an audience at the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California on Saturday."
From the second paragraph of this article at ABC News.

上記の文で、muck around の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "muck around" mean?

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


1. 〈話〉めちゃめちゃにする、いじくる、いいかげんに扱う
2. 〈英話〉ふざける、戯れる、冗談を言う
3. 〈英話〉ブラブラして時間をつぶす［浪費する］、ぶらつく、のらくら過ごす、ウロウロする
4. 〈話〉〔人を〕困らせる、〔人の不幸に〕付け込む

全体的には、ネガチブが意味ですが、この場合は1番でしょう。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

1. to spend time doing things that are not useful or serious : to waste time
2. to be unfair or dishonest with (someone) : to lie to or cheat (someone)

Examples

• The president's wife doesn't muck around with policy or sit in on Cabinet meetings. 
• Why muck around now and encourage unions to keep striking?
• Quit mucking around and help me take out the trash!
• Please don't muck around with the thermostat, Ihave it set exactly the way I want it.
• I've been mucking around with the melody but haven't been able to get it quiteright.

Question of the Day #302

"To accommodate the F-35Bs, the government intends to revamp the Maritime Self-Defense Force's JS Izumo helicopter carrier to host the fighters."
From the seventh paragraph of this article at Nikkei Asian Review.

上記の文で、revamp の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "revamp" mean?

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


1. 〈話〉〔外観・機能などをもっと良くするために〕改造する、改良する、改訂する、修理する、繕う、改革する
2. 〔靴のつま皮を〕付け替える

この場合は、もちろん1番です。

Answer

According to :

1. REMAKE, REVISE
2. RENOVATE, RECONSTRUCT

Examples

• The company has revamped the design of its best-selling car.
• But facing potentially dramatic impacts in the years ahead if membership declines, and with it their dues, unions are also revamping their operations for the 2018 election cycle and beyond. — Alexei Koseff, sacbee, "After 'wake-up call' from Supreme Court, California unions face tough political choices," 3 July 2018
• We revamped the management system, but the business is doing no better than it was before.
• ‘an attempt to revamp the museum's image’
• a plan to revamp the banking industry

Question of the Day #301

"Mueller accuses Manafort of breaking plea agreement by lying"
From the headline of this article at AP News.

上記の文で、plea agreement の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "plea agreement" mean?

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


司法取引

ただし、英語ではplea bargain（司法取引する）をした結果がplea agreementまたはplea bargain（名詞形）になります。

Answer

According to Collins Dictionary:

an agreement between the prosecution and defence, sometimes including the judge, in which the accused agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge in return for more serious charges being dropped

Question of the Day #300

"The Note: Mississippi runoff tests Democrats’ momentum"
From the headline of this article at ABC News.

上記の文で、runoff の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "runoff" mean?

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


1. 〔水・液体・土砂などの〕流出
2. 〔環境を破壊する〕流出液
3. 地表を流れる雨水
4. 〔試合などで同点になった場合の〕優勝決定戦
5. 〔選挙戦で得票が同数になった場合の〕決選投票

多くの意味がありますが、この見出しの場合は当然5番目です。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

1. a final race, contest, or election to decide an earlier one that has not resulted in a decision in favor of any one competitor
2. the portion of precipitation on land that ultimately reaches streams often with dissolved or suspended material

In the case of the headline above, it goes without saying that 1 is correct.

Examples

• Failing that, a runoff is held between the two leading candidates, and whoever gains a majority of votes is declared winner. — Ghassan Adnan And Isabel Coles, WSJ, "Iraq Lawmakers Delay Vote to Elect New President," 1 Oct. 2018
• If no candidate gets more than 50 percent of the votes on Oct. 7, a runoff will be held on Oct. 28. — Mauricio Savarese, Fox News, "Brazilian court spares far-right candidate from racism trial," 12 Sep. 2018
• So then-President George H.W. Bush and other prominent Republicans endorsed Treen in the House runoff.
• But what if a Louisiana runoff will determine which party controls the Senate? 

Question of the Day #299

"Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn arrested over 'significant' financial misconduct"
From the headline of this article at CNN.com.

上記の文で、misconduct の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "misconduct" mean?

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


非行、不品行、違法［不正］行為、職権乱用、不祥事、まずい経営

なお、動詞形もあるけれども、発音が違うことに注意してください。
《名》mìskɑ́ndʌkt
《動》mìskəndʌ́kt

Answer

According to Cambridge Dictionary:

unacceptable or bad behaviour by someone in a position of authority orresponsibility

Examples

• There have been reports of misconduct by several employees.
• The psychiatrist was found guilty of gross (= unacceptable) professional misconduct.
• The former priest denied allegations of sexual misconduct.
• He enlisted in the Navy but was dishonorably discharged for misconduct two years later, according to CNN.
• alleged misconduct by the police

Question of the Day #298

"Finland’s president rakes memory for source of Trump remark"
From the headline of this article at AP News.

上記の文で、rake の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "rake" mean?

答えは、コメントに書いてください。
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明日、ここに答えを書きます。
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---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


1. 熊手で掃く［かき集める］
2. くまなく［徹底的に］探す
3. 機銃掃射する

なので、例文の答えは2になります。

Answer

According to Oxford Dictionaries:

Search or rummage through something.

Examples

• ‘he raked through his pockets and brought out a five-pound note’
• He raked about in the drawer looking for his passport.
• I've raked through the cupboard but I can't find my blue mug.
• I’ve been raking through my drawers looking for those tickets.

Question of the Day #297

"In defeat, Abrams casts aside traditional expectations"
From the headline of this article at AP News.

上記の文で、cast aside の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "cast aside" 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.

---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


1. 投げ捨てる、放棄する、排斥する
2. 〔人を〕見捨てる
3. 〔不安などを〕払拭する

なので、この場合は当然1です。

Answer

According to MacMillan Dictionary:

to get rid of someone or something because it is no longer interesting or valuable to you

Examples

• Sweden needs to cast aside outdated policies and thinking.
• She tried to cast aside her worries and enjoy the party.
• She cast all thoughts of making the trip aside.
• Casting modesty aside, she outlined the reason for her success.
• He cast the newspaper aside impatiently.

Question of the Day #296

"Holding out slim hope as crews search for more fire dead"
From the headline of this article at AP News.

上記の文で、slim hope の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "slim hope" 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.

---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


かすかな［わずかな］望み

Answer

According to Macmillan Dictionary the definition of slim in this case is as follows:

very small

So, "slim hope" means "very small hope."

Question of the Day #295

"While Democrats didn’t secure the so-called “blue wave” across both chambers, the midterm results will certainly bring a sea-change to Washington."
From the first sentence of this article at ABC News.

上記の文で sea change の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "sea change" 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.

---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


〔良い方への〕大転換、180度の転換、著しい変化、大変貌、大変化、完全な様変わり

なお、英辞郎の訳語の冒頭に「〔良い方への〕」とありますが、下記例文でもわかるように必ずしもそうではありません。悪い方への変化の場合もあれば、結果のまだわからない大転換・大変化の場合もあります。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

a marked change: TRANSFORMATION

Etymology/語源

Merriam-Websterによると、

シェークスピアのThe Tempestの中では、sea changeとは、海がもたらす変化である。

Full fathom five thy father lies ... / Nothing of him that doth fade / But doth suffer a sea-change.

According to Merriam-Webster:

In Shakespeare's The Tempest, a sea-change is a change brought about by sea: Full fathom five thy father lies ... / Nothing of him that doth fade / But doth suffer a sea-change.

Examples

• In this op-ed about Taylor Swift’s surprisingly political Instagram post, writer Lily Herman breaks down how her endorsement of Democratic candidates fits into a political sea change following Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court. — Lily Herman, Teen Vogue, "Taylor Swift's Political Instagram Post Is a Sign of the Post–Brett Kavanaugh Times," 8 Oct. 2018
• Burberry’s new fur-free policy is part of a sea change in the luxury industry. — Steff Yotka, Vogue, "Burberry’s Future is Fur-Free—And Much More Sustainable," 6 Sep. 2018
• This happy situation continued until the 1960s, when there was a sea change in official attitudes toward these hospitals.
• The result was a sea change in the political balance.
• Like all the rest of us, he, too, had suffered his sea-change and was the better and bigger man for it. Pirates' Hope, Francis Lynde

Question of the Day #294

"Democrats ride blue wave to victory"
From the headline of this article at ABC News.

上記の文で、blue wave の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "blue wave" 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.

---

解答

意味：

直訳すると「青い波」になるが、この場合は「アメリカの民主党の議席数が躍進する」の意味になります。
Wikipediaによると、wave electionとは、「一方の党が躍進する選挙」のことを言います。そして、アメリカの報道関係等では、民主党はblue、共和党はredと言う具合に色分けしていて、blue state/red stateは「民主党支持が多数の州」「共和党支持が多数の州」と言う意味になります。支持がはっきりしない州はpurple stateと言います。
また、さらに多くの議席数を確保の場合は、blue tsunamiという表現も使われることがあります。

Answer

According to Wikipedia, "a wave election is one in which a political party makes major gains." Since the Democratic Party has been assigned the color blue by the media and the Republican Party red, a blue wave would indicate an election in which the Democratic Party gained a significant number of seats.

Question of the Day #293

"Colorado's Jared Polis could make history as first openly gay governor"
From the headline of this article at ABC News.

上記の文で、openly gay の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "openly gay" 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.

---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


同性愛者であると公表している人

Answer

We will assume that everyone is aware of what the current definition of "gay" is, so the question is then the definition of "openly." According to Oxford Dictionaries:

Without concealment, deception, or prevarication, especially where these might be expected; frankly or honestly.

Photos from Seattle: The same waterfalls, two different days

More Photos from Grand Teton National Park

Photos from Grand Teton National Park

Interlude/小休止

I will be leaving later today (Oct. 5) for a trip to Seattle, WA and Jackson Hole, WY (Grand Teton National Park to be exact).
I plan to be back on Oct. 24.
I do not plan any regular English-related updates to the site until then, although I might post some of the photos I will be taking.
Regular "programming" will restart after I get back.

本日（10月5日）からアメリカのSeattleとJackson Hole (Grand Teton National Park)に旅行してきます。
帰国は、10月24日の予定です。
その間、通常の英語関連の投稿は休みますが、写真を投稿するかもれません。
英語関連の投稿は、帰国後に再開します。

Question of the Day #292

"FBI background investigation into Kavanaugh is 'uncharted territory,' expert says"
From the headline of this article at ABC News.

上記の文で、uncharted territoryの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "uncharted territory" 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.

---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


未知［未踏］の領域

なお、下記英文の定義のリンクでわかるように、uncharted watersでも同様の意味です。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

a new and unknown area

Examples

• The discussion moved into uncharted territory/waters.
• Genetic engineers are entering uncharted territory.
• After the Wall Street crash, the American economy moved into uncharted waters.

Question of the Day #291

"The Consequences of Speaking Truth to Power"
From the headline of this article at Psychology Today.

上記の文で、speak truth to powerの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "speak truth to power" 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.

---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


権力者に真実を言う［話す・語る］

しかしながら、下記英文の定義の下の説明を読んでいただければわかるように、もっと奥の深い表現です。

Answer

According to Yourdictionary.com:

To address facts to an authority or a superior.

However, according to this article at Grammarist.com:


Speak truth to power means to confront those who hold important positions, whether in government, business or religious institutions. To speak truth to power means to demand a moral response to a problem, rather than an expedient, easy or selfish response. The phrase speak truth to power carries a connotation of bravery, of risking either the status quo, one’s reputation or livelihood, or the wrath of the person one is confronting.

Etymology/語源

Huffington Postによると、

1950年代に、クエーカー教徒によって作られた

According to the Huffington Post:

Coined by the Quakers in the 1950’s

Examples

• “Sir Thomas More did it at the cost of his life when he spoke truth to power against King Henry VIII; Martin Luther King Jr. did it at the cost of his freedom when he ended up in the Birmingham jail and eventually at the cost of his life.”
• In this year of uncloaked injustice and agitation, we’ve heard plenty of people being heralded as speaking truth to... and/or for .... power.
• It is not often easy to speak truth to power, to approach one who is on a higher station in life, who is in public office or is otherwise perceived to be unapproachable. (The St. Louis Jewish Light)
• If there ever was a time that we needed someone with the political courage to speak truth to power in Chicago and Springfield, it is now, and Kennedy is the man to do it. (The Chicago Tribune)
• “Our sweaters are all about wearing your politics and using your voice to speak truth to power,” Hruska MacPherson said. (The Los Angeles Times)

Weekly Recommendation #10

This week's recommendation:

今週のおすすめ：

It is very difficult to get the train to stop

Why is this recommended?
なぜ、これがおすすめ？

A very well-written article at the Washington Post about last week's U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing for Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Judge Bret Kavanaugh.

Washington Post誌に掲載された、先週の米国上院議会司法委員会の最高裁判事候補のための公聴会に関する記事です。とてもよく書かれていて、なおかつ比較的簡単な単語や文章がほとんどです。

It is very difficult to get the train to stop

Question of the Day #290

"ROBERT REICH: WHY MILLENNIALS WILL SAVE AMERICA"
From the headline of this article at Newsweek.

上記の文で、millennialsの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "millennials" 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.

---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


ミレニアル世代、新世紀世代◆1980年前後から2005年ごろにかけて生まれた世代。10代からデジタル環境になじんだ初の世代に当たる

とあるが、様々な解釈があります。一般的には、21世紀のはじめ頃に大人になった世代とされている。

Answer

According to TechTarget:

The term Millennials is usually considered to apply to individuals who reached adulthood around the turn of the 21st century. The precise delineation varies from one source to another, however. Neil Howe and William Strauss, authors of the 1991 book Generations: The History of America's Future, 1584 to 2069, are often credited with coining the term. Howe and Strauss define the Millennial cohort as consisting of individuals born between 1982 and 2004.

Etymology/語源

Online Etymology Dictionaryによると、

1992年から、1980年台中頃に生まれて2000年ごろに成人した世代の名称。

According to Online Etymology Dictionary:

From 1992 as a generational name for those born in the mid-1980s and thus coming of age around the year 2000.

Examples

• Millennials have grown up with the internet and can't imagine a world without it.
• Like a millennial version of Nick Lowe, Rose specializes in songs of irony and heartbreak. — Bill Brownlee, kansascity, "KC concerts June 21-27: Macklemore & Kesha; Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle & Dwight Yoakam," 19 June 2018
• In a bizarre movement, after the working lunch Trump appeared to take Kim to check out his presidential Cadillac, in what observers suggested was an attempt to bond with the millennial despot. — Time, "Kim Jong Un Vows Major Change at U.S.-North Korea Summit," 12 June 2018

Question of the Day #289

"Swedish prime minister ousted after losing confidence vote"
From the headline of this article at The Guardian.

上記の文で、confidence voteの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "confidence vote" 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.

---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


信任投票

しかしながら、vote of confidenceの方が一般的です。この場合は、見出しということで短い書き方を使ったのでしょう。また、Googleで検索するとconfidence voteは、英国の方で使用されることが多いようです。

不信任投票は、vote of no confidenceです。

Answer

Merriam-Webster does not contain the phrase confidence vote, but it does contain vote of confidence :

 a formal process in which people (such as the members of a legislature) vote in order to indicate whether or not they support a leader, government, etc.

It goes without saying that these are the same thing, but I think confidence vote was used in this instance because it was a headline requiring a shorter length.

Examples

• But the Labour Party decided to turn the motion into a confidence vote on John Major.
• "At the moment a government can lose a confidence vote by a majority of one." The Sun (2010)
• The government held a vote of confidence and lost/won it.

Question of the Day #288

"…Rosenstein suggested that McCabe or others wear a wire when speaking with the president…."
From the first sentence of the first paragraph of this article at ABC News.

上記の文で、wear a wireの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "wear a wire" 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.

---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


盗聴器を身に付ける

ちなみに、wireは本来「針金」という意味ですが、盗聴器の意味もある。

Answer

According to this page at Google Books:

A person fitted with a surreptitious recording device to help others spy on conversations is said to wear a wire.

Etymology/語源

Google Booksのこのページによると、

1957年のJ.D. MacDonaldの小説A Man of Affairsに"The joint is wired...."というくだりがある。この場合のwireは、「電子的盗聴・傍受」の意。

According to the same page as above in Google Books:

"The joint is wired...." wrote J.D. MacDonald in a 1957 novel, A Man of Affairs...The single word wire stood for "electronic eavesdropping."

Now, I'm not absolutely positive that this is the origin of wear a wire, but it's the closest I can find at the present time.

Examples

• Yeah, I'm gonna wear a wire.

Question of the Day #287

"Elon Musk and the Meaning of ‘Off the Record’"
From the headline of this article at The Atlantic.

上記の文で、off the recordの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "off the record" 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.

---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


オフレコの、記録しない、非公開の、非公式の

一般的に、アメリカでoff the recordでいうと「本音を話してもいいけれど、これはここだけの話なので、記録したり公開してはいけない」ということになります。ただ、場合によっては匿名なら公開してもいいというときがあります。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

given or made in confidence and not for publication

Etymology/語源

Merriam-Websterによると、

初めて使用された記録は、1920年。

According to Merriam-Webster:

First Known Use of Off-The-Record:
1920

Examples

• May I speak off the record?
• At the end of the lunch, I said I had some off-the-record comments.
• She made it clear that her comments were strictly off the record.
• An aide told reporters, off the record, that the senator had been lying.
• The Prime Minister admitted off the record that the country was going through a serious crisis.

Question of the Day #286

"Republicans push Trump to declassify sensitive Russia investigation documents"
From the headline of this article at ABC News.

上記の文で、sensitiveの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "sensitive" mean?

答えは、コメントに書いてください。
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明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

---

解答

意味：
英辞郎には非常に多くの意味があるけれど、この場合は間違いなく、


〔情報・技術などが〕機密の

です。

Answer

Although sensitive has many different definitions, according to Merriam-Webster this is the best definition for this example:

concerned with highly classified government information or involving discretionary authority over important policy matters

Etymology/語源

Online Etymology Dictionaryによると、

「国家の安全保障に関わる」という意味は、1953年に初めて使用された。

According to Online Etymology Dictionary:

Meaning "involving national security" is recorded from 1953. 

Examples

• Twitter is removing accounts that had been locked due to an unusual change in behavior such as the sudden sharing of misleading links, sensitive information and other types of problematic content. — Sarah E. Needleman, WSJ, "Twitter Follower Numbers to Drop as It Removed Locked Accounts," 11 July 2018
• ‘he was suspected of passing sensitive information to other countries’
• a sensitive position in the State Department.

Question of the Day #285

"'Enough is enough': Barack Obama rallies California Democrats"
From the headline of this article at The Guardian.

上記の文で、rallyの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "rally" 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.

---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


〔元気を〕取り戻す、回復させる、～を元気づける

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

to arouse for action

Etymology/語源

によると、

「急いで集める、秩序を回復する、復活させる、奮起する」の自動詞の意味は1660年代から。

According to :

Intransitive meaning "pull together hastily, recover order, revive, rouse" is from 1660s. 

Examples

• And also a great place to build, to rally support, and to connect. — refinery29.com, "Half A Million People Went To Essence Festival — & These 25 Looks Stood Out," 10 July 2018
• Despite a three-day, last-ditch effort to rally support, the Safer Arizona Cannabis Legalization Act did not obtain enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. — Richard Ruelas, azcentral, "Clean energy, taxes and anti-dirty money proposals submitted for November ballot," 5 July 2018
• ‘a series of meetings to rally support for the union’
• Supporters/Opponents of the new shopping development are trying to rally local people in favour of/against it.
• The president has called on the people to rally to/behind the government.

Question of the Day #284

"Lady Gaga Opens Up About A Star Is Born, MeToo, and a Decade in Pop"
From the headline of this article at Vogue.

上記の文で、open upの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "open up" 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.

---

解答

意味：
英辞郎には、色々な訳があるけれど、


（人）の心を開かせる、心を開く、心を打ち明ける、打ち解ける、口を割る、隠さず話す、〔秘密を〕打ち明ける、遠慮なく話しだす、自由にしゃべりだす、ほえ始める

が間違いなく適訳でしょう。

Answer

According to Cambridge Dictionary:

to start to talk more about yourself and your feelings

Examples

• I've never opened up to anyone like I do to you.
• His mother only opened up about her experiences when her children were adults. — Emanuella Grinberg, Smithsonian, "When a Bavarian Monastery Provided a Home to Jewish Refugees," 11 July 2018
• On a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Joanne opened up about their enduring love story, and the special significance of the number 143. — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, "Mr. Rogers’ Wife Share’s the Couple’s One-Of-A-Kind Love Story," 9 July 2018
• It’s taken a few months, but Katy is finally starting to openup to me.
• At last the witness opened up and told what happened.

Question of the Day #283

"NAOMI Osaka’s US Open breakdown wasn’t about what Serena Williams stole from her. It was about what she took herself."
From the subtitle of this article at news.com.au.

上記の文で、breakdown の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "breakdown" 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.

---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると一番良さそうな訳は、


〔心身の〕衰弱、〔健康状態の〕破綻

だと思いますが、そこまでひどい状態ではないと思うので、「泣き崩れた」「泣きだした」ぐらいでいいのではないでしょうか。

Answer

According to Oxford Dictionaries:

A sudden collapse in someone's mental health.

Other dictionaries have similar definitions, but I think that's a little too strong in this case.

Etymology/語源

Dictionary. comによると、

初めて記録されたのが、1825-35年ごろ。動詞句break downの名詞形。

According to Dictionary. com:

First recorded in 1825–35; noun use of verb phrase break down

Examples

• Did giving her the attention in the first place contribute to the breakdown?
• ‘Heather had a breakdown following the death of her sister’
• He suffered a breakdown after his wife died.
• Obviously we were under a lot of stress. And I basically had a breakdown.
• They often seem depressed and close to emotional breakdown.

Question of the Day #282

"Naomi Osaka’s Breakthrough Game"
From the headline of this article at The New York Times Magazine.

上記の文で、breakthroughの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "breakthrough" 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.

---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、名詞形には下記の意味がある。


1. ブレイクスルー、〔行き詰まりの〕突破、突破口、打開、突破作戦
2. 〔科学技術などの〕飛躍的進歩［前進］、躍進、急進展、大発見、飛躍的な発明、解明
3. 《be a ～》新生面を開く
4. 〔計画などの〕成功

また、形容詞としては、



〔技術などが〕画期的な、突破口となる

の意味がある。



全体的には、意味としてポジティブなものばかりなので自分がいいと思う意訳でいいのではないかと思います。個人的には、「大坂なおみの飛躍的に進歩したテニス」ぐらいがいいのではないかと思います。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

1. an act or instance of moving through or beyond an obstacle: a breakthrough in the talks between the region's leaders; a breakthrough agreement
2. a sudden advance especially in knowledge or technique: a medical breakthrough
3. a person's first notable success: a breakthrough novel; the actress's breakthrough performance

Etymology/語源

Online Etymology Dictionaryによると、

「突然の解決や進歩」の意味は、1930年代から。

According to Online Etymology Dictionary:

Meaning "abrupt solution or progress" is from 1930s, on the notion of a successful attack.

Examples

• It was a breakthrough album for the band.
• The emphasis is on developing breakthrough technology that will lead to new business.
• engineered with breakthrough technology
• Critics called it a breakthrough film.
• Damon is a well-known and respected actor, writer and producer who made an initial splash in Hollywood with his breakthrough portrayal of Will Hunting in the movie Good Will Hunting, which he also co-wrote.

Question of the Day #281

"The U.S. Is Sidelining Itself in the Middle East"
From the headline of this article at .

上記の文で、sidelineの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "sideline" 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.

---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


～を脇に追いやる、～を主役から外す、～を二の次にする

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

to put out of action: put on the sidelines

Etymology/語源

Online Etymology Dictionaryによると、

「競技からはずす」の意味の動詞系は、1945年から。

According to Online Etymology Dictionary:

The verb meaning "put out of play" is from 1945. 

Examples

• But with those players sidelined by injury, Broxton has made the most of his first week with the big-league team in 2018. — Jr Radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Let's enjoy all three times that Keon Broxton has basically saved a game with a homer-saving catch," 5 July 2018
• Mets captain David Wright, sidelined by injuries for more than two years, said players stood and gave Alderson a round of applause. — Mike Fitzpatrick, Houston Chronicle, "Mets GM Sandy Alderson steps down after cancer returns," 27 June 2018
• He was sidelined after criticizing the policy.
• ‘backbench MPs have been sidelined and excluded from decision-making’
• What they fear is that environment policy will be sidelined until it is too late.

Question of the Day #280

"'Everybody should take this seriously': Gulf Coast braces for looming storm forecast to become hurricane"
From the headline of this article at ABC News.

上記の文で、brace の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "brace" 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、


身構える、準備をする

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

to get ready (as for an attack)

Etymology/語源

Online Etymology Dictionaryによると、

「緊張させる、または緊張することによって固めるか安定させる」の意味は15世紀中頃から。

According to Online Etymology Dictionary:

Meaning "make tense, render firm or steady by tensing" is mid-15c.

Examples

• Relations with Europe are at their lowest ebb in decades as allies brace for another acrimonious encounter with the president who last month harshly criticized them at the Group of Seven economic summit in Canada.
—
Missy Ryan And Greg Jaffe, Washington Post, "Trump’s combative words on NATO put Mattis in an increasingly tough spot," 9 July 2018
• If the two sides start talking openly about war, oil prices could skyrocket as investors brace for continued instability — or far, far worse — in the region that produces much of the world’s oil.
—
Zeeshan Aleem, Vox, "Why you’ll pay more for gas this Memorial Day weekend," 25 May 2018
• ‘both stations are bracing themselves for job losses’
• The passengers were told to brace themselves (= to press their bodies hard against something or hold them very stiff) for a crash landing.
• She told me she had some bad news for me and I braced myself for a shock.

Question of the Day #279

"Federal court strikes down North Carolina congressional map"
From the headline of this article at Axios.

上記の文で、strike downの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "strike down" 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、


1. 打ち倒す
2. 〔病気が人を〕襲う
3. 〔裁判所などが〕～を無効にする

とあるが、言うまでもなく例文の場合は3です。

Answer

According to :

annul, nullify；especially: to declare (a law) illegal and unenforceable

Examples

• the board struck down the appointment
• the Supreme Court struck down the law
• a law that was later struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court as unconstitutional
• The Supreme Court today struck down a law that prevents criminals from profiting from books or movies about their crimes.
•  The board of directors struck down our proposal for a new business based in Canada.

Question of the Day #278

"Heat wave arrives from Chicago to New York at start of week"
From the headline of this article at ABC News.

上記の文で、heat waveの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "heat wave" 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、


1. 熱波、暑気団
2. 〔長期間の〕酷暑、猛暑
3. 熱線

例文の場合は、3ではないので、1か2になりますが、突然やってくることを考えると一過性なものと考えて1が適訳でしょう。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

1. a period of unusually hot weather

Etymology/語源

Merriam-Websterによると、

（酷暑の期間）として初めて使用されたのは、1893年。

According to Merriam-Webster:

First Known Use of heat wave
1893

Examples

• The four heat waves were on Aug. 24-Sept. 3, 1953; June 11-21, 1954; July 26-Aug. 5, 1955; and Aug. 19-29, 1959. — Tom Skilling, chicagotribune.com, "Ask Tom: What's the record for consecutive 90-degree days?," 9 July 2018
• Scientists say intermittent underwater heat waves are intensifying, occurring more often and lasting longer because of climate change. — Jacqueline Williams, New York Times, "Great Barrier Reef Imperiled as Heat Worsens Die-Offs, Experts Say," 4 July 2018
• They do not create the climate, any more than a thermometer creates a heatwave. From the Hansard archive 
• The 2003 heatwave claimed tens of thousands of lives.
• "Because, five weeks later, there was a heat-wave in the Red Sea, and everybody took off all the clothes they had." Just So Stories, Rudyard Kipling

Question of the Day #277

"The Atlantic Daily: In the Face of Strife"
From the headline of this article at The Atlantic.

上記の文で、in the face ofの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "in the face of" 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、


1. ～の面前で、～に直面して、～を前にして
2. 〔悪い状況・出来事など〕にもかかわらず
3. 〔批判・圧力など〕にさらされて

この例文の場合は、1番目が最も適訳でしょう。

Answer

According to :

1. In spite of; notwithstanding.
2. When threatened by or confronted with

In this case, I'd go with number 1.

Etymology/語源

Dictionary.comによると、

「反対等にもかかわらず」の意味は、1800年代初期から。

According to Dictionary.com:

Despite the opposition of, notwithstanding...[Early 1800s]

Examples

• Some people still believe vaccinations to be harmful in the face of thousands of scientific studies proving otherwise.
• In the face of the boss's disapproval, we decided to go forward with the project anyway.
• It's hard to be an optimist in the face of so much tragedy and turmoil in the news each day.
• In the face of published statistics, they insist there is no flu epidemic.
• It is hard for brokers to be cheerful in the face of a falling stock market. 

Question of the Day #276

"John McCain to lie in state at U.S. Capitol, an honor bestowed on only 30 other people"
From the headline of this article at USA Today.

上記の文で、lie in stateの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "lie in state" 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、


〔遺体が〕正装（で）安置される、公開安置される

ただし、下記英文の定義の冒頭にあるように、「有名な指導者の遺体の場合」に限ります。
また、下記例文にあるlieの語形変化に注意してください。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

of the body of a famous leader
: displayed in a coffin in a public place so that people can view it and show respect

Examples

• The body of the ruthless dictator lay in state for two weeks, and public mourning was enforced by his son, who has taken over the leadership position.
• The president will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda.
•  Mourners filed past the leader where he lay in state.
• ‘the Maori honoured him with a lying-in-state at Pipitea Marae’
• He lay on the marble slab in the centre of the tiny oblong chapel like a king lying in state.

Question of the Day #275

"Former intelligence officials criticize Brennan's loss of security clearance"
From the headline of this article at ABC News.

上記の文で、security clearanceの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "security clearance" 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、


安全検査［チェック］、機密取扱者の人物調査、保全許可（証）

とあるが、どれも例題にしっくりこない。下記英語の定義からすると、この場合は「機密取扱許可」が適訳だと思います。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

special permission given only to people who are approved to know or see secret things

Etymology/語源

Online Etymology Dictionaryによると、

国家機密に関するclearanceの使用は、1948年に初めて記録されている。

According to Online Etymology Dictionary regarding the word clearance:

 national security sense recorded from 1948. 

Examples

• The documents are only available to people with security clearance from the government.
• Some defence jobs require security clearances that are only issued to native-born citizens.
• He has full security clearance and access to classified information.
• He oversaw security clearance for Estonian officials in the intelligence, military and security agencies.
• The interim security clearance of US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and White House senior adviser Jared Kushner was on Tuesday downgraded by Chief of Staff John Kelly, a move that restricts him from viewing the President's daily brief.

Question of the Day #274

"Ohio county finds hundreds of uncounted votes in already too-close-to-call special election"
From the headline of this article at The Hill.

上記の文で、too close to call の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "too close to call" 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.

---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


接戦で勝敗の予測がつかない、わずかな差で予断を許さない

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

Too close of a competition to identify a clear winner. 

Etymology/語源

Dictionary.comによると、

この表現は、スポーツから来ている。1600年代中頃からスポーツのおけるcallはa judgment（判断、審判）の意味で使用されている。1960年代からこの表現は、選挙前の調査で使用されるようになって、やがて選挙の結果に対しても使われるようになった。

According to Dictionary.com:

This expression comes from sports, where call has signified “a judgment” since the mid-1600s. In the 1960s it began to be applied to pre-election polls and then to the outcome of elections.

Examples

• Right now the election is still too close to call.
• Exit polls in Britain say that today's parliamentaryelection was too close to call.
• That ball didn't miss by much but it was too close to call, 
• In the Senate, the count is too close to call at this point.
• The election was too close to call, so they decided to have a runoff.

Question of the Day #273

"Wedding of Japanese princess delayed by financial woes of future in-laws"
From the headline of this article at The Guardian.

上記の文で、financial woesの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "financial woes" 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.

---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


資金難、財政困難、経営難、経済的な苦しさ

Financial woe自体は、イディオムではありませんが、woeとの組み合わせが面白いと思います。他の単語もこのwoeと組み合わせる事も可能です。

Answer

"Financial woes" isn't really an idiom nor that strange for native speakers, but not many non-native speakers may think of combining "woe" with "financial." So, I felt that this was worthy posting.