Question of the Day #906

People in sports sometimes say an exceptionally close game is a nail-biter.

From the 1st paragraph of this article at KERA News.

  上記の文で、nail-biterの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "nail-biter" 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. 爪をかむ（癖のある）人
2. 展開の読めない話［映画］、ハラハラどきどきするもの

2番の訳は、その状況下で1番の訳をする人がいることから。
 

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

something (such as a close contest) that induces tension or anxiety

   

Examples

• Saturday's semifinal was a real nail-biter.
• Because there were eight members on the panel of judges and no way to break an eventual tie, the decision promised to be a nail-biter.
• It's a genuinely thrilling nail-biter. - Times, Sunday Times (2015)
• A taut little nail-biter, slightly marred by a dubious moral stance. - Times, Sunday Times (2012) (2015)
• Beginning a new campaign, they endured another nail-biter yesterday - and again they could not prevail. - Times, Sunday Times (2013)

   

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Question of the Day #905

Not too long ago, the Detroit rapper was just a fan sitting in the nosebleeds at The Palace of Auburn Hills during the 2004 NBA Finals.

From the 10th paragraph of this article at Slam Online.

  上記の文で、nosebleedsの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "nosebleeds" 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：
問題文の場合は、名詞形のnosebleedsでnosebleed seats/sectionの省略です。Nosebleed seatは、英辞郎によると、

〈米俗〉〔野球場・競技場・劇場・コンサートホールなどの〕最上階［最上段］の席

   

Answer

The nosebleeds in the sentence above is short for "nosebleed seats" or "nosebleed section." According to The Free Dictionary "nosebleed seat" means:

A seat very high up in a stadium or theater, as for a sporting event, musical performance, play, etc., which typically costs less money but has a restricted view. "Nosebleed" refers jocularly to the effects of extremely high altitudes on the body, which can often cause nasal hemorrhaging, among other symptoms.

 

Examples

• I wish you wouldn't be so stingy when you buy tickets to football games. I'm sick of sitting up in the nosebleeds to watch them!
• Braden and Zach have spent their fair share of time sitting in the nosebleeds, whether it's at the ballpark, football stadium or basketball arena.
• I waited too long to get tickets to the concert, so all that was left was a nosebleed seat way in the back.
• U.S. Open runner-up Daniil Medvedev found himself seated in the nosebleed section at Margaret Court Arena, even though he was playing his second-round match there. (The New York Times)

   

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Question of the Day #904

“If you are being reactive, you are behind the eight ball,” Seal tells Euromoney.

From the 5th paragraph of this article at Euromoney.

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

困った［困難な・不利な・まずい］状況で、窮地に陥って

   

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

In a challenging situation; at a disadvantage.

 

語源

英辞郎によると、

【語源】ビリヤードでは8番の玉を台のポケットに落としてはいけないというルールがあり、8番ボールの後ろに自分がいて、それを打つとまずいことになるところから。

 

Etymology

According to The Free Dictionary,

An "eight ball" is one of the numbered balls used in the game of pool, and the last one supposed to be hit into a pocket. If the eight ball is accidentally hit into a pocket prematurely, the player will lose, and it therefore needs to be avoided.

   

Examples

• Because I got the flu, I'm behind the eight ball with my Christmas shopping.
• If we don't leave early tomorrow, we'll be behind the eight ball, and I doubt we'll reach the cabin by dusk.
• If you don't get the investigation going right away, you put yourself behind the eight ball.
• Many families in this country are still behind the eight ball and do not enjoy the same standard of living that other people enjoy.
• A term, referring to the game of pool, meaning in an unfavorable or uncomfortable position: “After his unkind remarks were repeated to the boss, Gary really ended up behind the eight ball.”

   

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Question of the Day #903

"We don't want to have all worked very hard during Covid and after Covid and then let this pull the rug from under our feet."

From the headline of this article at the Chronicle Live.

  上記の文で、pull the rug from underの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "pull the rug from under" 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. （人）への援助［支援］を急に［突然］やめる［中止する・打ち切る］
2. 〔援助・支持を突然やめて〕（人）をつまずかせる、（人）の足をすくう

   

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

To suddenly or unexpectedly remove or rescind support, help, or assistance from someone; to abruptly leave someone in a problematic or difficult situation.

 

Examples

• Do you sometimes just have the feeling that someone is trying to pull the rug from under your feet?
• I felt like someone had pulled the rug out from under me when my health insurance said it was going to stop paying for my medical bills.
• I'd love to quit my job, but I just can't pull the rug from under my team like that.
• The only snag is she could be pulling the rug out from under her own feet. The Sun (2010)
• Yet at other times, just when you think this book is on your side, it pulls the rug out from under your feet. Times, Sunday Times (2015)

   

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Question of the Day #902

Plush #1 opens with the main character Devin down and running on empty.

From the 1st paragraph of this article at The GWW.

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

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

1. 〔自動車が〕ガス欠で走る
2. 〔人・動物が〕空腹状態で走る
3. 〔活動などを〕エネルギー［意欲・熱意］が不足した状態で続ける

1と2の訳で使えないことはないが、実際問題として3の比喩で使うことが圧倒的に多い。
   

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

Continuing to operate with no or very little enthusiasm, energy, or resources left. A reference to a car that has nearly run out of fuel.

   

Examples

• His campaign treasury is running on empty.
• People are working double shifts, their stress levels are getting higher, they are just running on empty.
• I've been painting the house for four hours every night after work, and I am seriously running on empty at this point.
• We were running on empty by the time our team made it to the championship round.
• The band's 2008 appearance is widely agreed to be their finest two hours. Certainly, events after this suggest a band running on empty.

   

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Question of the Day #901

Does washing your hair with beer really work or is it just hogwash?

From the headline of this article at the Hindustan Times.

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

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

1. 〔ブタの餌となる〕残飯
2. 〈俗〉くだらないもの［話］、ナンセンス

 

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

1. SWILL, SLOP
2. NONSENSE, BALDERDASH

   

Examples

• You wouldn't believe the hogwash he was spouting at us.
• Some motorcycle enthusiasts think the whole idea of trying to shush biker noise is hogwash. —Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2022
• Through it all, Collins has remained focused on combating both the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the anti-science hogwash at the same time. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 5 Oct. 2021
• There is undoubtedly deceit and hogwash on both sides. - The Sun (2016)
• The regeneration of a deprived area can be reality and not just political hogwash. - Times, Sunday Times (2015)

   

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Question of the Day #900

India: Third Time's The Charm? Unpacking The Draft Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022

From the headline of this article at Mondaq.

  上記の文で、third time's the charmの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "third time's the charm" 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：
Weblioによると、

三度目の正直

Do you think the third time will be the charm?のような使い方もあります。
 

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

The belief or hope that the third attempt at something will be successful. Primarily heard in US.

   

Examples

• I've failed this test twice already, so hopefully the third time's the charm.
• A: "Try turning the generator on again." B: "OK, here we go. Third time's the charm!"
• “Our goal is third time’s the charm, but it’s one game at a time.” (The Journal Gazette)
• Hopefully, the third time’s the charm, and this go-around will have more staying power than the last. (The Shepherd Express)
• American Thinker’s Doris O’Brien opines today that Clinton does have the hope “that through some third-time’s-the-charm magic she could at last realize her dream of becoming the first female president of the United States.” (The New American)

   

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Question of the Day #899

When hell freezes over: Russia’s Arctic ambitions

From the headline of this article at The Hill.

  上記の文で、when hell freezes overの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "when hell freezes over" 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、

決して～ない◆【直訳】地獄が凍り付いたら ⇒ 地獄は炎でいっぱいで決して凍り付くことはない ⇒ 決して～ない

Not till hell freezes overやIt will be a cold day in hell (when ~)も同じ意味で使います。
 

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

used to say that one thinks that something will never happen

   

Examples

• I'll apologize when hell freezes over.
• Bob, our family will relinquish control of this company to you when hell freezes over.
• It'll be when hell freezes over before that clown is allowed to run this great state of ours!
• ‘They might give you a pay rise soon.’ ‘Yeah, right. When hell freezes over!’
• “It will be a cold day in hell when I trust her again.”

   

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Question of the Day #898

Costume designer Alex Bovaird quite frankly nailed it.

From the 1st paragraph of this article at the Robb Report.

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

〈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‚é

下記英語の定義2にあるように、ユーモラスに皮肉として使用することもあります。（下記例文5参照。）
 

Answer

According to :

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 was only her second or third audition – and she nailed it. - The Guardian (2016)
• And then you nailed it in the final. - The Guardian (2017)
• Her presentation for the CEO went really well. She totally nailed it!
• A: "How was your interview today?" B: "Nailed it."
• 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 #897

Keeping Up With The Joneses: Is Your AI Fast Enough?

From the headline of this article at Forbes.

  上記の文で、keeping up with the Jonesesの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "keeping up with the Joneses" 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、

最新の流行を追う、隣人と張り合う、世間に後れを取らない

   

Answer

According to Academic.com:

"Keeping up with the Joneses" is a popular catchphrase in many parts of the English-speaking world. It refers to the desire to be seen as being as good as one's neighbours or contemporaries using the comparative benchmarks of social caste or the accumulation of material goods. To fail to "keep up with the Joneses" is perceived as demonstrating socio-economic or cultural inferiority.

 

語源

英辞郎によると、

米国の漫画家Arthur R. Momand（アーサー・R・モーマンド）が1913年から28年間新聞に連載した漫画のタイトル「Keeping Up with the Joneses」から。モーマンド氏は、妻Jenniferと共にロングアイランドに引っ越して隣人と見えを張り合った経験を漫画にした。漫画に登場する隣人の名前にはアメリカで一般的なJonesを使い、タイトルを「ジョーンズ家のやつらに負けるな」とした。

 

Etymology

According to Academic.com,

The origin of this phrase is rooted in the popular comic strip of the same name created by cartoonist Arthur R. "Pop" Momand. [According to "The Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins" by Robert Hendrickson] The strip debuted in 1916 in the "New York World", but strips appear in collections dated as early as April 1, 1913. The strip ran in American newspapers for 28 years, and was eventually adapted into books, films, and musical comedies. The "Joneses" of the title were neighbors of the strip's main characters, and were spoken of but never actually seen in person.

   

Examples

• Many people were holding down three jobs just to keep up with the Joneses.
• Her mother was very keen on keeping up with the Joneses, and through much of her teens Linda accepted what she now calls `these false values'.
• A: "Why did she buy such an expensive car?" B: "Well, she lives in a wealthy part of town—I bet she just wants to keep up with the Joneses."
• Of course, in this desperate attempt to keep up with the Joneses, they are all the more likely to end up poor.
• First the Smiths got a swimming pool, and now their neighbours, the Sinclairs, are building one. It’s silly the way people always have to keep up with the Joneses.

   

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Question of the Day #896

It’s become incumbent upon us to call the person with the pronounced Adam’s Apple and 5:00 o’clock shadow “Mary,” if that’s what he (I mean she) demands.

From the 1st paragraph of this article at Broad + Liberty.

  上記の文で、Adam's appleの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "Adam's apple" 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、

喉仏

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

the projection in the front of the neck formed by the largest cartilage of the larynx

 

語源

Very Well Healthによると、

Adam's appleは、聖書やユダヤ・キリスト教に由来する。聖書では、最初の人間だったアダムはエデンの園で禁じられたリンゴを食べた時に、そのリンゴが喉に詰まったとされている。

 

Etymology

According to Very Well Health,

The term Adam’s apple is rooted in the Bible and Judeo-Christian history. According to a Bible story, Adam, the first man, ate the forbidden apple in the Garden of Eden. When he did so, the apple became stuck in his throat.

   

Examples

• Your Adam's apple is the lump that sticks out of the front of your neck below your throat.
• The Adam’s Apple is considered a secondary sexual characteristic, meaning it typically develops differently for males and females, with males developing more prominent examples.
• The Adam's apple, or larynx cartilage, gets bigger.
• The Adam's apple is visible in boys but is hardly visible in girls.

   

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Question of the Day #895

Scottie Scheffler Provides ‘TMI’ and Explains His ‘Excruciatingly Painful’ Bu** Crack Injury

From the headline of this article at Essentially Sports.

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

[インターネット略] = too much information (情報が多過ぎて混乱状態だ)

下記英語の定義にあるように「特に、個人的な情報を公にした場合に注意として使われることが多い」
 

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

Too much information
(used especially to suggest that someone has revealed personal information that would better be kept private)

   

Examples

• Some of her [Twitter] followers deemed the disclosures inappropriate and chimed in with judgmental, sarcastic responses such as "TMI" and "Yikes." - Anna Holmes
• Her pregnancy updates are TMI.
• In a true moment of TMI, Dash shared with Williams her penchant for sleeping with potential husbands on the first date.
- WHY STACEY DASH’S LOOKS—NOT HER RACE—MATTER IN HER ROMNEY ENDORSEMENT|ALLISON SAMUELS|OCTOBER 11, 2012|DAILY BEAST
• I needed to go to the bathroom very badly—sorry, TMI!
• Facebook users who over-share often get accused of “TMI,” or “too much information.” - THE 'WHERE'S WALDO' BANK ROBBER|WINSTON ROSS|SEPTEMBER 28, 2010|DAILY BEAST

   

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Question of the Day #894

She lost her conviction appeal and spent three days in the slammer but refused to do the community service part.

From the 2nd paragraph of this article at the Santa Monica Daily Press.

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

〈米俗〉刑務所◆通例、the slammer

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

JAIL, PRISON

   

Examples

• He's doing five to ten years in the slammer.
• She emerged from the slammer on Tuesday morning after serving 23 days for drink-driving offences.
• He was sentenced Tuesday to 41 months in the slammer. - Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 18 Nov. 2021
• The charges are much steeper this time though, and John must call in a favor to ensure Summer doesn't spend most of her life in the slammer. - Matt Cabral, EW.com, 11 Nov. 2022
• Others involved in the investigation who took a plea deal were only put in the slammer for five to seven years. - Brian Moylan, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2021

   

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Question of the Day #893

He can also rightfully claim pied piper status for derivatives like kite-surfing and foil boarding.

From the 2nd paragraph of this article at the Santa Barbara Independent.

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

言葉巧みに勧誘する人、無責任な約束をする人

とあり、間違いではないが、下記英語の3番目の定義の「カリスマがあり支持者を集める人」のように負のニュアンスだけではありません。  

Answer

According to :

1. one that offers strong but delusive enticement
2. a leader who makes irresponsible promises
3. a charismatic person who attracts followers

 

語源

によると、

《the ～》ハーメルンの笛吹き◆ドイツの伝説のまだら服を来た笛吹き男。その男はドイツのハーメルンにやって来て、町中のネズミを退治したら報酬をもらえるという約束を町の人々と交わした。その男は笛を吹いてネズミをおびき寄せて、ウェーゼル川の中へと誘導し、全てのネズミを溺れ死なせた。ところが、町の人々は報酬を支払わなかったので、男は仕返しに、笛を吹いて町の子どもたちを集めて、遠くの山の中へと誘導し、その後、子どもたちの行方が分からなくなった。

 

Etymology

According to the Macmillan Dictionary,

The Pied Piper is the main character in a German tale about a man hired by the citizens of a town to get rid of rats. The man dressed in multicoloured – or ‘pied’ – clothing and played a magic pipe to lure the rats to a river outside the town where they were drowned. According to the story, the people of the town refused to pay him and so he used his magical flute to lure their children away from home.

   

Examples

• Maxine Petry Pioneer Works’ resident pied piper got even T&C to Red Hook. - Jason Farago, Town & Country, 28 Sep. 2022
• No chance of her mistaking anyone else for the Pied Piper, though.
• Other travellers were like the Pied Piper or the UN turning up with a lorry-load of aid. - Dexter Petley WHITE LIES (2003)
• Forced into the political wilderness, much of Siege feels like a relevance play—Bannon using Wolff to cast himself as Trump’s pied piper. - Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 6 June 2019

   

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Question of the Day #892

For over six years, Survival Clothing has continued to push boundaries in fashion.

From the 4th paragraph of this article at The Week.

  上記の文で、push boundariesの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "push boundaries" 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：
IT系の英語表現を学ぶによると、

限界を押し広げる、可能の範囲を広げていく

一般的に、push boundariesよりもpush the boundariesと言うことの方が多いがどちらも間違いではありません。
 

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

To act in a way that challenges established norms or acceptable behavior.

   

Examples

• Instead, it would push the boundary with innovations. - Times, Sunday Times
• The chandeliers, especially, push the boundaries of what we might consider hanging from our ceilings. - Times, Sunday Times
• It's going to be hard for her to push the boundaries too much. - Times, Sunday Times
• The most famous and influential performers tend to push the boundaries in everything from their lyrics to their clothing.
• A: "She's a teenager now—she's going to push the boundaries every chance she gets." B: "Yeah, well, she better get used to being grounded then!"

   

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Question of the Day #891

Will United Airlines Mend Its Ways? When Pigs Can Fly

From the headline of this article at Forbes.

  上記の文で、when pigs can flyの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "when pigs can fly" 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、when pigs can flyは掲載されていませんが、同じ意味のwhen pigs flyはあります。その意味は、

チャンスがない、不可能である、無理である、起こり得ない◆【直訳】ブタが空を飛ぶとき ⇒ ブタが空を飛ぶなんてことはあり得ない

他の言い方として、“pigs fly,”“pigs might fly,” “pigs will fly,” or “pigs may fly"があります。
 

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

At a point in time that will never come to pass. (Used to show skepticism or cynicism over some hypothetical situation or outcome.)

Same as “pigs fly,” “pigs might fly,” “pigs will fly,” or “pigs may fly.”
 

Examples

• “I’ve already told you; I will learn to dance when pigs can fly.”
• Iran said that he won a billion lottery ticket? I will believe it when pigs fly. Nobody doesn't know he is such a joker.
• “Mark plans to tidy up his room every week, but he will probably do it only when pigs fly.”
• A: "If we could just get Democrats and Republicans to agree on a tax reform bill, we could bring the deficit down in no time." B: "Sure, when pigs can fly!"
• I'm sure that David would be happy to pay for everyone—when pigs can fly.

   

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Question of the Day #890

Shoppers able to navigate the shifting sands of online deals can save big money during the holiday gift season, but it takes real time to track price changes and product inventory across multiple stores.

From the headline of this article at CNET.

  上記の文で、shifting sandsの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "shifting sands" 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：
ichacha.net英和辞典によると、

［the ～］〔…の〕絶えず変化する状況〔of〕．

なお、下記英語の定義にあるように、「絶えず変化する状況」だけではなく主に「特に理解・対応しにくい絶えず変化する状況」です。
 

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

The constantly changing circumstances or aspects of something that makes it particularly difficult to understand or contend with.

   

Examples

• My husband has had trouble maintaining a job in the shifting sands of the economy.
• It is difficult to keep up with the shifting sands of technology. As soon as I understand one concept another is introduced.
• The company was built on the hot and shifting sands of finance, not the rock of industry.
• The problem is that the whole economy has been built on the shifting sands of finance, not the rock of industry.
• Part of the problem is that we've convinced ourselves that personal happiness depends on the shifting sands of romantic love, which does real damage to our ability to live fulfilled and contented lives as independent people.

   

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Question of the Day #889

For modern Vietnamese food, the list isn’t large. Some places in LA do it well but play it safe. We need people to push boundaries.

From the 7th paragraph of this article at Portland Monthly.

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

安全策［大事］を取る、安全第一でいく

このイディオムは、前向きに使うことができますが、問題文のように否定的に使うことも多いので「冒険をしない」「無理をしない」等と訳してもいいと思います。
 

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

To not take any unwarranted risks or dangers; to act with caution and prudence.

   

Examples

• I think I'll play it safe and take the earlier train.
• Playing it safe, he left fifteen minutes early to be sure he arrived on time.
• It tells you now what it told them then: Play it safe. Avoid risk. Evade confrontation. Don't venture outside the territory ...
• Despite the initial popularity of their product, the company has been playing it safe, deciding not to ramp up production until they are sure momentum will continue.
• I think you should have your car looked at by a mechanic before your big road trip. Better to play it safe than end up stuck in the middle of nowhere!

   

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Question of the Day #888

Cohn let the cat out of the bag so far as the “fight against inflation” is concerned, making clear it has nothing to do with the price hikes ripping apart living standards and that its central focus is only on one price: that of labour power, wages.

From the headline of this article at the World Socialist Web Site.

  上記の文で、let the cat out of the bagの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "let the cat out of the bag" 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、

うっかり秘密を漏らす

   

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

To reveal a secret.

 

語源

英辞郎によると、

【語源】袋に入れた猫を「豚が入っている」とうそをついて売ろうとしたら、袋を開けられて、秘密がばれてしまったという話から。

と言うことになっていますが、諸説がありどれも今ひとつ信ぴょう性に疑問があります。
 

Etymology

According to Today I Found Out,

There have been a few origin stories put forth about how this idiom came to be.

However, this article and others have all noted that each origin story is suspect.
 

Examples

• I was trying to keep the party a secret, but Mel went and let the cat out of the bag.
• That's let the cat out of the bag. The Guardian (2020)
• `The Mosses didn't tell the cops my name, did they?' `Of course not,' she said. `They wouldn't want to let the cat out of the bag.'
• When Bill glanced at the door, he let the cat out of the bag. We knew then that he was expecting someone to arrive.
• How did Mom find out we were planning a surprise party for her? Who let the cat out of the bag?

   

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Question of the Day #887

European data and research company Market Sampler is working on a groundbreaking research concept that uses first-hand research data, data from numerous trusted sources, and algorithms to model likely outcomes and estimate the probability of certain events.

From the 1st paragraph of this article at the Digital Journal.

  上記の文で、first-hand (firsthand)の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "first-hand/firsthand" 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. 〔情報の入手などが〕じかに、直接に
2. 〔事件などを見るのが〕じかに、自分の目で
3. 〔知識の獲得などが〕直接体験して、じかに（接して）

 例文3のように、first handと綴ることもあります。
 

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

obtained by, coming from, or being direct personal observation or experience

   

Examples

• He gave a firsthand account of the battle.
• Most of the older reporters have experienced war firsthand.
• The new variant transmits a lot quicker and we saw that for ourselves first hand. The Guardian (2021)
• The news of a cooperating witness in the documents investigation with firsthand knowledge of the boxes being transferred was first reported by The Washington Post.  Andres Triay, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2022
• Short’s grand jury appearance marks the first time it has become publicly known that a figure with firsthand knowledge of what took place inside the White House in the tumultuous days leading up to Jan. 6 has cooperated with federal prosecutors.  Maggie Haberman, BostonGlobe.com, 25 July 2022

   

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Question of the Day #886

There is no love lost between Anthony Fauci and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

From the 1st paragraph of this article at the Albany Democrat-Herald.

  上記の文で、no love lostの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "no love lost" 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、

〈話〉不仲、嫌うこと◆【用法】通例There's no love lost between A and B.の形で用いられる。

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

used to say that people dislike each other

 

Examples

• They were polite with each other, but it was clear that there was no love lost between them.
• There's no love lost between Bob and Bill.
• There was no love lost between the two men.
• No love lost between Beau Scott and Cameron Smith (The Sydney Morning Herald)
• As these policies are seen being facilitated, driven and implemented by the political class over the years, naturally there is today no love lost between the masses and politicians. (The Daily Post)

   

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Question of the Day #885

In light of that, the flat year on year operating leverage is a bit off-putting.

From the 4th paragraph of this article at Simply Wall St.

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

〈英話〉不快感［嫌な感じ］を起こさせる、不快な、当惑させる、困惑させる、反感を覚えさせる

   

Answer

According to the Cambridge Dictionary:

slightly unpleasant or worrying so that you do not want to get involved in any way

   

Examples

• He's slightly aggressive, which a lot of people find off-putting when they first meet him.
• What I found off-putting was the amount of work that you were expected to do.
• However, many customers found the smell of this product distinctly off-putting.
• Also, the huge list of chemically ingredients was a bit off-putting. Times, Sunday Times (2012)
• If his job description sounds a little off-putting, the good news is that he writes interestingly and well. Times, Sunday Times (2016)

   

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Question of the Day #884

In “Leopoldstadt,” the new play by Tom Stoppard that opened on Broadway last month, the reluctance to pull up stakes proved tragic.

From the 2nd paragraph of this article at the Deseret News.

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

土地の境界を示す杭を引き抜く、土地を処分して他所へ立ち退く、土地を離れる、引っ越す、転居する、引き払う、引き上げる

最初の「土地の境界を示す杭を引き抜く」は、どちらかというとこのイディオムの語源で現在ではあまり使用されません。ただし、これに近い使い方は、下記英語の定義の一番です。（「テントの杭を引き抜いてテントをたたんでキャンプ場を引き払う」）
 

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

1. To pack up and leave a campsite.
2. By extension, to leave one's place of residence or employment and relocate elsewhere.

 

Examples

• We've lived here for years, but now it's time to pull up stakes.
• They pulled up stakes and went to California
• Our family pulled up stakes every few years when Dad was in the Army.
• I always told myself that I would pull up stakes after spending five years working for them.
• I've loved living in the city, but now that we have a baby on the way, it's time to pull up stakes and find somewhere more affordable.

   

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Question of the Day #883

Since then, Romeo, the second eldest Beckham brother, has announced that he feels ready to pop the question to his girlfriend Mia Regan, at the ripe old age of… 19.

From the 2nd paragraph of this article at Metro.co.uk.

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

〔男が女に〕結婚を申し込む、プロポーズする◆【直訳】「結婚してくれないか？」という（重大な）質問をする

   

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

To ask someone to marry one.

   

Examples

• I'm planning on popping the question just before the fireworks start.
• He popped the question in a text message? That's the worst proposal I've ever heard of.
• So did he pop the question, then?
• Stuart got serious quickly and popped the question six months later.
• A new service for prospective husbands promises to conjure up the most romantic scenarios to pop the question and provide the ring. - Times, Sunday Times (2006)

   

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Question of the Day #882

‘We Have Not Passed the Point of No Return’, Disarmament Committee Told, Weighing Chance Outer Space Could Become Next Battlefield

From the headline of this article at UN.org.

  上記の文で、point of no returnの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "point of no return" 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. 〔航空機などの〕帰還［復帰］不能［限界］点◆【略】PNR
2. 〔行動の過程の〕引き返せない［後戻りできない］段階［局面］◆【略】PNR

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

1. the point in the flight of an aircraft beyond which the remaining fuel will be insufficient for a return to the starting point with the result that the craft must proceed
2. a critical point at which turning back or reversal is not possible

   

Examples

• Russia, he said, had reached the point of no return on the road to reform and had to go forward.
• Scientists fear that global warming has gone beyond the point of no return.
• The release of Mr Nelson Mandela marked the point of no return in South Africa's movement away from apartheid.
• This is the point of no return. If we sign this agreement, we are committed for the long haul.
• The climbers had reached the point of no return. At this stage, they either had to reach their destination, or die trying.

   

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Question of the Day #881

From here on the state must take the bull by the horns before the monster of militancy once more rampages through the land unimpeded.

From the 2nd paragraph of this article at Dawn.com.

  上記の文で、take the bull by the hornsの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "take the bull by the horns" 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. 牛の角を捕まえる
2. 恐れずに危険［難問］に立ち向かう

問題文の意味は当然2番目の訳ですが、このイディオムはもともとロデオの牛を倒す競技から来ています。
また、grab the bull by the hornsと言うこともあります。
 

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

to deal with a difficult situation in a very direct or confident way

   

Examples

• She decided to take the bull by the horns and try to solve the problem without any further delay.
• Why don't you take the bull by the horns and tell him to leave?
• I took the bull by the horns and confronted him about his mistreatment of the workers.
• This is the time to take the bull by the horns and tackle the complex issues of finance.
• Now is the time for the Chancellor to take the bull by the horns and announce a two per cent cut in interest rates.

   

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Question of the Day #880

Meanwhile, for all the worries about the Ukrainian government’s competence and corruption, Zelensky pulled his weight, making appearances on the frontlines of the conflict that has wrought destruction on Eastern Ukraine since 2014, when Moscow started backing separatist groups there.

From the 5th paragraph of this article at the National Review.

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

自分の役割［職務・分担］を十分果たす、自分の仕事を十分にこなす、精いっぱい協力する

この訳では、下記英語の定義にあるニュアンスが一つ欠けています。それは、in proportion to one's ability or responsibilityの部分です。すなわち、役割や仕事を十分果たすだけではなく、その人の「能力や責任」に相応しいレベルで果たすという意味があります。
 

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

To contribute to a group activity or pursuit in proportion to one's ability or responsibility.

 

語源

英辞郎によると、

ボート競技でこぎ手が自分の体重をかけてオールをこぐ様子から

 

Etymology

According to The Free Dictionary,

This term comes from rowing, where each crew member must pull on an oar at least enough to propel himself or herself. Its figurative use dates from about 1900.

   

Examples

• In a busy restaurant, everyone has to pull their weight.
• If you don't pull your weight, our presentation will never be finished on time.
• He needs to start pulling his weight around here, or we'll have to let him go.
• We will finish in time if we each pull our weight.
• Pull your weight, and it doesn’t matter if everything is rigged in your favor or not. - (The Indianapolis Monthly)

   

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Question of the Day #879

Biden's latest gaffe on student loan bailout plan may come back to haunt him

From the headline of this article at Fox News.

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

〈フランス語〉失敗、しくじり、へま、失言、失策、〔知らず知らずに犯す〕社会的失態

   

Answer

According to :

1. a social or diplomatic blunder
2. a noticeable mistake

 

Examples

• He realized that he had committed an awful gaffe when he mispronounced her name.
• I made a real gaffe - I called his new wife "Judy", which is the name of his ex-wife.
• Hopefully she will soon make another major gaffe and disappear back to the wilds, after sadly setting back the cause of women in American politics by decades. - The Sun (2016)
• Bette Midler stirred up quite a bit of confusion over a famous line in Hocus Pocus last week, all thanks to a social media gaffe. — Glenn Rowley, Billboard, 28 Sep. 2022
• Not many Americans noticed the gaffe, but the British press did. — John Wilkens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Sep. 2022

   

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Question of the Day #878

The DRAGULA Universe Is Expanding: The Boulet Brothers Dish On (Some Of) The Details

From the headline of this article at Fangoria.com.

  上記の文で、dish onの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "dish on" 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：
英辞郎や他のオンライン辞書にこのイディオムは掲載されていないので、下記The Free Dictionaryの定義を訳すと、

誰か・何かの噂話をする

になります。
また、Merriam-Websterによると、dishだけでも自動詞としてgossip（噂話をする）またはto disclose private or personal information（個人情報を暴露する）の定義があります。
 

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

slang To gossip about someone or something.

 

Examples

• Those popular girls are always dishing on someone in our class.
• They spent an hour dishing on Wally.
• The conversation also heard both ladies dish on all of their beauty must-haves and skincare secrets. — Rachaell Davis, Essence, 5 Aug. 2022
• Gwen Stefani stopped by Late Night With Seth Meyers on Thursday night (Sept. 8) to dish on her upcoming return to The Voice. — Glenn Rowley, Billboard, 9 Sep. 2022

   

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Question of the Day #877

The decades leading up to the First World War were characterized by the salad days of capitalism...

From the 3rd paragraph of this article at the Monroe News.

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

《one's ～》〈古〉〔人の人生のうち〕若くて経験の乏しい時期、世間知らずの若い頃、駆け出しの頃

上記訳の中に〈古〉とありますが、下記文例にあるように今でも使用されています。
 

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

time of youthful inexperience or indiscretion

 

語源

Grammar Monsterによると、

この言い回しは、シェークスピアの戯曲「アントニーとクレオパトラ」の次のセリフ"They were my salad days, when I was green in judgement."からきてます。

 

Etymology

According to Grammar Monster,

The phrase originated from the play Antony and Cleopatra by Shakespeare, which includes the line They were my salad days, when I was green in judgement.

   

Examples

• Back in my salad days, I used to go out every weekend.
• Looking back on my salad days makes me smile.
• Whenever I ask my grandfather the meaning of a word I hear on TV, he always laughs and says he'll tell me when I'm no longer in my salad days.
• Even years removed from their salad days at The Rivoli, The Kids were still grappling with how to best communicate with each other. — Mike Postalakis, SPIN, 25 May 2022
• It’s John’s inheritance from his recently deceased father, an original mod revivalist who, in his salad days, once led a bikers’ protest against Margaret Thatcher on the streets of Brighton. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 17 Nov. 2021

   

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Question of the Day #876

There’s a giddiness among the intimate group of diners seated along Hansei’s L-shaped counter when Ono serves his souped-up California roll.

From the 16th paragraph of this article at Eater.com.

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

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

1. 〈俗〉〔エンジンなどが〕馬力を上げた、高出力化した、パワーアップした
2. 〈俗〉性能［価値］が向上した、魅力が増した、価値が増大した、高性能になった

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

enhanced or increased in appeal, power, performance, or intensity

   

Examples

• These are not "souped-up" second world war radars.
• He was driving a souped-up sports car.
• a souped-up website/email service
• An open two-seater sports car was coming up, a souped-up 1930s model. - Hilton, John Buxton, MOONDROP TO MURDER
• Is he entirely satisfied that these small cars which are "souped-up" by their owners are really in the best interests of road safety?

   

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Question of the Day #875

Coparenting had its fits and starts but, for the most part, everything was going relatively well.

From the headline of this article at PureWow.com.

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

間欠的な［のらりくらりした］動作◆【参考】in fits and starts

   

Answer

According to :

To do something in “fits and starts” is to do it intermittently or sporadically

 

Examples

• “Martina has been working on her master's thesis in fits and starts; she needs to work on it consistently.”
• The car was almost completely broken down, but, by fits and starts, we were able to get it to a mechanic.
• Replies to the advertisement are arriving in fits and starts.
• My slimming attempts tend to go in fits and starts.
• Military technology advances by fits and starts.

   

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Question of the Day #874

If you prefer to cut to the chase, you can skip to the very end of this article for the answer to the June 10 Wordle, #356.

From the headline of this article at .

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

遠回しな言い方をやめる、さっさと［ずばり］要点を言う◆20世紀初頭のアメリカの無声映画、特に喜劇映画のクライマックスが「追跡シーン(chase sequence)」であり、また脈絡がなく突然追跡シーンが始まることが多かったことから。◆【同】get to the point

   

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

slang To reach the most important points quickly. This phrase is often used as an imperative.

   

Examples

• Come on, cut to the chase already—what exactly are you trying to ask me?
• I'm a very busy woman, so I need an assistant who can cut to the chase.
• I didn't have long to talk so I cut to the chase and asked whether he was still married.
• Hi everyone, we all know why we are here today, so let's cut to the chase.
• I'm going to cut to the chase about the Tesla. - Times, Sunday Times (2014)

   

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Question of the Day #873

Rather unexpectedly, Lebanon's former ambassador to the UN put his hat in the ring.

From the 5th paragraph of this article at BBC.com.

  上記の文で、put one's hat in the ringの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "put one's hat in the ring" 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：
英辞郎にはこのイディオムはありませんが、同じ意味のthrow one's hat in the ringはあります。

競争に参加する、〔選挙に〕出馬［立候補］する

   

Answer

According to :

To announce or make known one's intention to compete with others, especially in a political election.

A slightly different version of this idiom is, "throw/toss one's hat in/into the ring."
 

語源

英辞郎によると、

リング内にいるボクサーに対して一般見物客が挑戦するとき、リング内に自分の帽子を投げ入れた。

 

Etymology

According to Dictionary.com,

This term comes from boxing, where throwing a hat in the ring formerly indicated a challenge; today the idiom nearly always refers to political candidacy. [c. 1900]

   

Examples

• I'm thinking about putting my hat in the ring for class president!
• The governor was slow to throw his hat in the ring in the senatorial race.
• She was delighted he decided to toss his cap into the ring and run for the local elections.
• Yet another candidate has chosen to throw their hat into the ring for the upcoming elections.
• As has been widely predicted, the governor put his hat into the ring yesterday for the upcoming presidential election.

   

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Question of the Day #872

Does This Story Have Legs?

From the headline of this article at VOA News.

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

1. 脚が速い
2. 永続性がある

問題文の場合は、当然2番目の訳です。
なお、上記の二つの訳以外に、見出しの記事に記してあるように"If something has legs, it means people have interest in it."（「〜has legsは、人がそれに関心を持っていることを意味します」）。
 

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

To have the ability to endure, stay relevant, or continue to maintain interest. Said of a concept, phenomenon, something discussed, etc.

   

Examples

• The business has legs.
• The American economy still has legs.
• Some economists believe that the recovery still has legs.
• Mr Blucher was confident that his concept had legs, so he persisted and pressed Mr Cooper for a meeting.
• That theory really has legs—years later, most people still think that the wrong man was convicted.

   

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Question of the Day #871

The defining factors in Wild Card series between Mariners and Blue Jays

From the headline of this article at Seattle Sports.

  上記の文で、wild cardの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "wild card" 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. 《トランプ》ワイルド［万能］カード◆どんなカードとしても使えるカードで、ジョーカーをワイルドカードにすることが多い。
2. 〈話〉不確定［不確実］要素、〔不確実だが〕重要な要素
3. 〈話〉何をするか分からない人物
4. 《コ》ワイルドカード◆検索などを行うときに使われる、どんな文字（列）にも合致する文字で、アスタリスク（＊）や疑問符(?)が使われることが多い。
5. 《スポーツ》ワイルドカード◆トーナメント戦に特別に参加を認められること、またはそのチームや選手を指す。予選で敗退したチームの中から勝率で上位のものが選ばれたり、主催者の推薦で参加が認められたりする。

問題文の場合、修飾語として使用されていますが5番目の訳が正解です。
また、さまざまな異なる意味があるので注意しましょう。
 

Answer

According to the Cambridge Dictionary:

1. a playing card that does not have any particular value but that can be used to represent any other card
2. in computers, a symbol that has no particular meaning of its own so that its space can be filled by any real character that is necessary
3. someone who is allowed to take part in a competition, even though they have not achieved this in the usual way, for example by winning games
4. someone or something whose behaviour is sometimes unexpected

 

Examples

• The team made it into the play-offs as the wild card.
• Seattle currently owns the second wild card spot at 87-72 with a 1 1/2 game lead over Tampa Bay. — Paul Hoynes, cleveland, 4 Oct. 2022
• Phillips is hoping for a wild card entry to the championships.
• Catch up on the action from the first two wild card games. The Sun (2017)
• But it was mostly downhill after that and he needed a wild-card pick despite his world ranking. The Sun (2016)

   

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Question of the Day #870

What Does "OK Boomer" Mean? What Started as a Lighthearted Riff Is Now a Verified Internet Meme

From the headline of this article at Good Housekeeping.

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

 

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

1. リフ、反復楽句
2. 〔小説などの〕テーマ、主題、主題［テーマ］の繰り返し
3. 早口で即座に出る気の利いたせりふ［言い回し］

問題の見出しの場合の意味は、三番の訳になります。
   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

1. an ostinato phrase (as in jazz) typically supporting a solo improvisation
   also: a piece based on such a phrase
2. a rapid energetic often improvised verbal outpouring
   especially: one that is part of a comic performance
3. a succinct usually witty comment
4. a distinct variation: TAKE
   // a disturbing … riff on the Cinderella story — Daria Donnelly

   

Examples

• a mock news program with humorous riffs on current events
• Rowe does a very clever riff on the nature of prejudice.
• gave us another of his riffs on the decline of civilization.
• The audience screamed with laughter as Schumer ran through her jokes about buttholes, hyperemesis, and Viagra, and settled into a riff about her husband of five years, Chris Fischer. — Ariel Levy, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2022
• Of course, Meyers found that note funny and had to riff with a joke. — Ryan Parker, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2022

   

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Question of the Day #869

UK PM says Russia 'bent on full invasion' of Ukraine -BBC

From the headline of this article at The Economic Times.

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

1. 《be ～》～を決意している
2. 《be ～》～に夢中になっている、～しようと決心している

   

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

Very determined to do something, perhaps aggravatingly so.

   

Examples

• She's bent on coming here for the weekend, so we better clean the guest room.
• I'm bent on getting an A on this exam, so I've been studying all week.
• He was bent on quitting his job even though he was making a lot of money.
• They seemed bent on destroying his career.
• They are bent on revenge.

   

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-->

Question of the Day #868

By today, the day of her funeral, millions will have spent long hours, twenty-two, in some cases, in queues, stretching to five miles, patiently waiting to file into Westminster Hall, where the queen’s coffin lies in state, to pay their last respects.

From the 10th paragraph of this article at the KT Press.

  上記の文で、file intoの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "file into" 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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Question of the Day #867

Those prices open the door for investors looking for income in a market where many state and local governments are flush with cash, said Sylvia Yeh...

From the 2nd paragraph of this article at Advisor Perspectives.

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

景気が良い

この訳で間違いではないですが、ちょっとニュアンスが違います。どちらかというと、下記英語の定義にあるように「とても裕福である。これは、最初から裕福な人のことにも使用しますが、一時的に予期せぬ収入を得た人のことにも使用します。」のほうが近いと思います。

 

Answer

According to Writing Explained:

The phrase flush with cash means to have abundant wealth. It can be for someone who is rich all of the time or someone who unexpectedly and temporarily had an influx of cash.  

   

Examples

• However, since we’re flush with cash for the first time in months, I thought we could use a little bit of it to celebrate.
• With the Nets flush with cash, shrewd agents will try to use them to get better deals for their clients. – New York Post
• When they know that I'm flush with cash, they start flattering me.
• I hear Tom's new girlfriend is flush with cash, so they're always off traveling to exotic locations.
• Their company is flush with cash, so they'll have no problem paying for the work.

   

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Question of the Day #866

Driver Posts Video Rolling Coal on Cyclists—and Is Surprised by the Consequences

From the headline of this article at Bicycling.com.

  上記の文で、rolling coalの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "rolling coal" 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rolling coalは掲載されていませんが、名詞のcoal rollingはあります。Coal rollingの意味は、

コール・ローリング◆自動車のディーゼルエンジンを改造して、過剰な黒煙を大気中に放出するようにすること。

Rolling coalは、この名詞の動詞です。
北米（とくにアメリカやカナダ）でこのような行為を行う人は、いわゆる環境にやさしいハイブリッドやEVに反対する人です。

Answer

According to Car Throttle:

Originally only found in truck-based motorsport, rolling coal has become a modification found in many road-going trucks in a stand against any form of eco-friendly motoring. 

 

Examples

• It's called "rolling coal," and it is indeed a thing.
• It's not new — pickup drivers of a particular type have been rolling coal for several years— but the practice has been attracting greater attention of late.
• Rolling coal is the combination of throwing a large amount of fuel into the engine’s cylinders along with the bypassing or removal of the emission control devices further downstream.
• Rolling coal wastes fuel, which means that your engine is less efficient.
• Pedestrians, cyclists, and electric vehicles have long been favored targets for drivers of monster trucks “rolling coal”—that is, intentionally spewing huge clouds of diesel exhaust at their perceived enemies in the nation’s culture war.

   

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Question of the Day #865

Meanwhile, flavorful sauces don't overwhelm this treasure. But why gild the lily?

From the 2nd paragraph of the ribeye section of this article at Mashed.

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

  答えは、コメントに書いてください。
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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

〔完成しているものに〕余計な手を加える

上記の訳では、ちょっと舌足らずのような気がするので補足します。Lily（ユリ）はすでに美しいのに、さらにgild（金箔をかぶせる、金めっきする）をしたら余計であるというイディオムです。  

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

to add unnecessary ornamentation to something beautiful in its own right

   

Examples

• Should I add a scarf to this jacket or would it be gilding the lily?
• Offering three different desserts after that elaborate meal would be gilding the lily.
• When it comes to cooking there is no need to gild the lily.
• They do the drama really well without gilding the lily. The Sun (2010)
• My sister has good bone structure and lovely skin, so she doesn't need to gild the lily by wearing makeup.

   

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Question of the Day #864

You're Probably 'Fexting' In Your Relationship. Is it Healthy Or Not?

From the headline of this article at the Huffington Post.

  上記の文で、fextingの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "fexting" 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：
英辞郎によると、

フェクスティング◆電子メールやSNSなどでテキストを送受信しながら人と口論すること。

Fightingとtextingからできた混成語です。

Urban Dictionaryでは、これ以外のかなり多くの定義はありますが、バイデン大統領夫人が使ったことによりこの意味が主流になりつつあります。

 

Answer

According to the Collins Dictionary:

arguing by text message [blend of fighting and texting]

 

Examples

• My thumbs are sore, I have been fexting with the girlfriend all day!
• While their reasoning is to avoid fighting publicly in front of the Secret Service, the term ‘fexting’, which she so graciously coined for our benefit, was born.
• Suffixes can make a world of a difference. Like it or not, you will soon be hearing the word ‘fexting’, which is obviously different from texting, chexting or sexting.
• Fexting, or fighting over text, is something we've probably all engaged in from time to time.
• If you’re the first lady, then having an argument with the US president via text message (or “fexting”, as Jill Biden called it) might keep marital disputes private from the Secret Service, but relationship experts have warned it could make things worse. [The Guardian, June 2022]

   

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