Question of the Day #696

Wong Kar-wai cut his teeth on the bold “As Tears Go By”

From the headline of this article at The Spool.

上記の文で、cut one's teeth onの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "cut one's teeth on" 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、

〔仕事などにおいて〕～で経験を積む

Answer

According to :

To gain experience with something, especially at a young age (when one's teeth would be coming in).

語源

YourIdioms.comによると、

このイディオムは、16世紀後半に起源し、「赤ちゃんの最初の乳歯がはえる」の意味の動詞句to cut teethに由来する。

Etymology

According to YourIdioms.com,

This term dates back to the late 1600s and refers to the literal verb "to cut teeth," which means "to grow the first teeth of a baby".

Examples

• I cut my teeth on this kind of layout.
• She cuts her teeth on playing piano everyday so that she can become a distinguished piano player in the future.
• I cut my teeth on household chores such as cleaning the house or washing dishes when I was just 6 years old.
• Oh, I cut my teeth on those kinds of equations! Give me a challenging problem for a change!
• Jen may be young, but she cut her teeth on academic writing, so her perspective and expertise will be invaluable to us.

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Question of the Day #695

It’s sort of hard to fancy oneself as Thoreau in the woods when I have a block of Gouda and a veggie wrap within arm’s reach.

From the 2nd paragraph of this article at Thrillist.

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

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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、

うぬぼれる、自任する、つもりでいる

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

to think that one looks good or one is very special or important

Examples

• They really fancy themselves after only one hit song!
• I never thought I'd fancy myself in a kilt.
• ‘a couple of lads who fancy themselves’
• Sure, I like to dance, but I don't fancy myself as a real dancer by any means.
• I don't fancy him as any kind of genius, although he would certainly disagree.

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Question of the Day #694

In the absence of global agreements, expect vaccine nationalism and geopolitical skulduggery to proliferate in the months ahead

From the lede of this article at The Telegraph.

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

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---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

不正（行為）

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

underhanded or unscrupulous behavior
also: a devious device or trick

Examples

• the company's apparently healthy bottom line was merely an illusion, the result of years of accounting skulduggery
• The quest now is to find an investor willing to plunge into the arcane world of F1, with all its political skulduggery and financial worries. Times, Sunday Times (2014)
• He had not the slightest inkling that she, who had twice spoiled her father's skulduggery so far as it affected him, felt any but the friendliest of feelings toward him.
• The sticking-point was a problem that has long bedevilled the EU: how to tackle corruption and other skulduggery in countries that benefit from EU transfers. — The Economist, 16 Dec. 2020
• Four years later, he was defeated by Thomas Jefferson in a fraught election that exposed deep internal rifts among Americans, racial anxieties and more than a little skulduggery. — Ted Widmer, WSJ, 4 Dec. 2020

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Question of the Day #693

I find myself adjacent to a Parisian boulevard, sipping a fine apéritif, mulling it over in anticipation of my first bite into the heralded main course: a feast truly fit for a king, savory motes of bovine flesh floating over the undertones of a fine peppercorn crust

From the 1st paragraph of this article at Under The Button.

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

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Write your answer in the Comments.

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. 〔小さな〕ほこり、ちり
2. 小さな欠点◆【参考】mote in the eye

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

a small particle: SPECK

Examples

• Between these motes of light, though, is infinitely more darkness.
• The pinhead represents the atomic nucleus; the dust motes are its retinue of electrons.
• Coming back, he knew she was aware of passing his bed, but she was unseeing, eyes as if sweeping the floor in front of every mote of dust. Sillitoe, Alan THE OPEN DOOR (2001)
• George was nearly beyond retrieval, a tiny glint of a mote, like a wayward flea. — Cynthia Ozick, The New Yorker, 14 June 2021
• The mote also features a layer of special conductive film and a thin sheet of copper. — Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 11 June 2021

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Question of the Day #692

“We were all young and invincible, full of piss and vinegar,” the Texas native said.

From the 5th pargraph of this article at Vantage Point.

上記の文で、full of piss and vinegarの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "full of piss and vinegar" 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。
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---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

《be ～》〈俗〉生き生きとしている、活力に満ちている

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

Having an abundance or excessive amount of boisterous, youthful energy, enthusiasm, or rowdiness.

語源

The Phrase Finderによると、

調べた限り最も古い例は、下記のJohn Steinbeckの1936年の小説In Dubious Battleのものです。


"Listen, mister,' London said, 'them guys is so full of piss and vinegar they'll skin you if you show that slick suit outside.'"

1920年代において、vinegarは活力やエネルギーの代名詞として使用されており、このイディオムでもその意味で使用されています。その頃、言葉をより生き生きとさせるためだけに多くの単語が元気や活力の代名詞として使われていた。

Etymology

According to The Phrase Finder,

The earliest citation I've found is from 1936 in John Steinbeck's novel In Dubious Battle:

"Listen, mister," London said, "them guys is so full of piss and vinegar they'll skin you if you show that slick suit outside."

During the 1920s vinegar was used to mean vitality and energy and that's the meaning in 'piss and vinegar'...At that time many phrases indicating a general perkiness and vitality entered the language, often for no other reason than linguistic exuberance.

Examples

• He's full of piss and vinegar this morning.
• Grampa walked up and slapped Tom on the chest, and his eyes grinned with affection and pride. "How are ya, Tommy?"
  "O.K.," said Tom. "How ya keepin' yaself?"
  "Full a piss an' vinegar," said Grampa.
  
The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck, 1938
• Although we came out into the match full of piss and vinegar, our team just didn't have the skill necessary to beat our cross-town rivals.
• It took having kids of my own to remember how full of piss and vinegar a child can be at 6 AM.

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Question of the Day #691

It takes 10 years to learn to paint a picture, shoot a photo, throw a pot or sculpt a statue that a collector will pay real money for.

From the 10th paragraph of this article at Next Avenue.

上記の文で、throw a potの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "throw a pot" 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。
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---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

ろくろを回してつぼを形作る

throw potterやturn a potということもできます。

Answer

According to the Longman Dictionary:

to make a pot by shaping clay as it turns round on a special wheel

Examples

• You may not become a concert pianist but you're never too old to learn an instrument - or how to throw a pot or ice a cake. Times, Sunday Times
• They will help you throw a pot, which will then be fired and sent to your home. Times, Sunday Times
• A perfectly formed loaf brings the same satisfaction to its baker as does a perfectly thrown pot to a potter.

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Question of the Day #690

It is never good to rain on someone’s parade and that is exactly what the distinguished Secretary of State did. 

From the last paragraph of this article at Satenaw News.

上記の文で、rain one someone's paradeの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "rain on someone's parade" 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。
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---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

（人）の一日［良い気分］を台無しにする◆【同】crash the party

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

To ruin one's plans or dampen one's excitement.

Examples

• Well, I hate to rain on your parade but I refuse to give my consent on the sale of this house.
• There you go again stepping on my lines... raining on my parade, costing me medals.
• To make sure that all goes according to plan and no one rains on his parade, the president's safari will stay clear of trouble spots.
• I hate to rain on your parade, but I think your A in chemistry was actually a clerical error.
• Mom really rained on our parade by chaperoning our school dance.

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Question of the Day #689

I’m struggling with depression (got diagnosed 18 months ago) and I still don’t have a handle on things.

From the 12th paragraph of this article at Eugene Weekly.

上記の文で、have a handle on ~の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "have a handle on ~" mean?

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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、

～を把握［理解］する、～を操る、～を管理する

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

To have a firm, clear understanding or determination of something.

Examples

• I've got a handle on the situation.
• Well, I sure hope you have a good handle on the math.
• I can’t really get a handle on the situation here. What’s happening?
• I hope everyone has a handle on the material, as you'll be tested on it next week.
• I thought I had a pretty good handle on English idioms, but I don't understand this one at all!

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Question of the Day #688

Ever Wanted to Do a 1-Arm Push-Up? Here Are Expert Tips to Nail It

From the headline of this article at Popsugar.

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

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Write your answer in the Comments.

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、

〈話〉〔特定の行為・作業などを〕完璧［見事］にやってのける、〔主語のアクションなどが〕（完璧に）決まる

注：下記英語の定義の２番にあるように、人の失敗に対してユーモラスに使うことがしばしばあります。（最後の例文）

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

1. To succeed at something in a particularly impressive way.
2. To do something perfectly or accurately. This phrase is often used humorously to describe failures.

Examples

• It's immensely satisfying when you nail it. The Sun (2016)
• She missed it both times - she just could not nail it. The Sun (2010)
• Her presentation for the CEO went really well. She totally nailed it!
• I had all the kids guess how many jellybeans were in the jar, and Michael nailed it—exactly 251 jellybeans!
• When I showed my friend a picture of the cake I was trying to bake, alongside my sad excuse for a replica, she started laughing and said, "Nailed it!"

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Question of the Day #687

“That’s why I call this money pit the half-billion-dollar-boondoggle,” he continued.

From the headline of this article at The Reporter.

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

〈米俗〉金食い虫

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

A business, possession, or other financial commitment that requires or consumes an increasingly large amount of money, especially more than was first anticipated.

Examples

• My house is such a money pit—I'm always paying for repairs on it!
• We don't want the project to become a money pit.
• Old houses can become money pits for their owners.
• The problem with buying used cars is that, even if they started off being cheap, they often turn into money pits as they start breaking down.
• I bought this restaurant because of its prime downtown location, but with all the repairs and the huge amount of staff needed to run it, it's proven to be quite a money pit.

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Question of the Day #686

Atmospheric CO2 levels have gone from 337 parts per million (ppm) to 420 ppm; the oceans are choked with acidification, the coral beds are dying, forests are burning, and the world’s politicians are burning jet fuel to twiddle their thumbs at these climate meetings.

From the 12th pargraph of this article at Greenpeace.

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

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---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

1. 両手の指を組んで親指同士をくるくる回す
2. [暇なので]のんびりしている

実際に暇な時、１番目の訳の動作をする人もいるのですが、慣用句としては比喩として使われることがほとんどです。

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

To wait idly because one cannot take action or has nothing to do at the moment. Although the phrase refers to an actual movement of the hand (in which one's fingers are interlaced and each thumb is brought over the other in succession), the phrase is usually used figuratively.

Examples

• “Quite frankly, I was 28 years old when I worked on the Pill and the implication is always that I have twiddled my thumbs from age 28 to age 90.” (The Independent)
• Business was slack, and the salespeople were twiddling their thumbs
• ‘I have been sitting here for goodness knows how long twiddling my thumbs’
• What am I supposed to do while waiting for you? Sit here and twiddle my thumbs?
• I'm just twiddling my thumbs here in the ER, waiting for someone to give me an update on Claire's condition.

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Sports English #031

But it was his speed on the basepaths that provided the walk-off 8-7 victory over the Orioles.

このMLB.comの記事の第1段落より。

上記の文のbasepathsとwalk-off victoryの意味は、下記の通りです。

解説

basepathsは、

英辞郎によると、

球界生活、野球界、塁走

とあるが、英辞郎があげている例文（Joe DiMaggio roamed the basepaths for 13 years. : ジョー・ディマジオは13年間の球界生活を送った。）において「球界生活、野球界」は意訳としていいがあまり一般的ではない。
また、「塁走」って何？日本語にこんな言葉ある？ググっても出てきません。

一般的に、basepathは、「塁間（の走路）」のことを言います。塁の間は四つあるので、複数形のbasepathsになります。

walk-off victoryは、

英辞郎によると、

《野球》サヨナラ勝ち

walk-offは、形容詞として野球の「サヨナラ」として様々な形で用いられます。例えば、walk-off home run, walk-off hit, walk-off error等。

したがって、問題文の意訳は、

しかし、彼の塁間の走力がオリオールズ戦の8対7のサヨナラ勝利につながったのである。

になります。

Sports English #030

“I know it’s very important for me to go out there and eat up innings,” Darvish said. 

このMLB.comの記事の第16段落より。

上記の文のeat up inningsの意味は、下記の通りです。

解説

eat up inningsは、

多くの回数を投げる

したがって、問題文の意訳は、

「私の登板の時、多くの回数を投げることが大変大事だとわかってる」とダルビッシュ選手が言った。

になります。

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Question of the Day #685

While the EU has yet to formally respond, granting the request would provide breathing room for a longer-term solution — and avoid a trade war.

From the 1st paragraph of this article at Bloomberg.

上記の文で、breathing roomの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "breathing room" 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。
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---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

1. 一息つける時間、ちょっと休憩できる時間、少し考える時間［猶予］
2. 快適に呼吸できる［身動きしやすい］十分なスペース［空間］

言うまでもなく、問題の意味は１番目の訳です。
breathing spaceということもあります。

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary :

1. Sufficient time to prepare for or recover from the pressing difficulties of a situation.
2. Sufficient space to fit or accomplish something.

Examples

• I wanted a little breathing room between jobs.
• The court's decision gave us some breathing room.
• My yearly bonus always affords us a little bit of breathing room for the Christmas expenses.
• Please move back and give us some breathing room here.
• The professor extended the deadline for our midterm papers, so I've got a bit of breathing room to get it finished.

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