Question of the Day #783

The piece follows White in the aftermath of a shooting — the rapper chanting "you gonna eat your words, you gonna eat your words / I got everything you said I didn't deserve" to his reflection in the mirror.

From the 12th paragraph of this article at the Riverfront Times.

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

〔自分の間違いを認めて〕前言を取り消す、発言を撤回する［引っ込める］

下記英語の定義にあるように、自分の発言を取り消すだけではなく、発言を後悔することも意味します。  

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

To retract, regret, or feel foolish about what one has previously said.

 

Examples

• Sam said it would never sell, but when he sees these sales figures he'll have to eat his words.
• I said he’d never win, but I had to eat my words.
• They think we can't compete with them - I'll make them eat their words.
• You think I can't get an A in this class, but I'll make you eat your words when we get our report cards!
• After my negative prediction for the season, I certainly ate my words when the team started out undefeated.

 

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Question of the Day #782

Price inflation: The heat is on

From the headline of this article at BBC.com.

上記の文で、the heat is onの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "the heat is 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。
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解答

意味：
英辞郎等のオンライン英和辞典にないので、下記The Free Dictionaryの定義を訳します。

とある状況におけるプレッシャーが大きい。何かをしなければならない逼迫している時。

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

The pressure in a situation is high; the urgency to do something has reached a very high level.

Examples

• To perform well when the heat is on, all you have to do is let it happen.
• But when the heat is on, he turns up and performs. Times, Sunday Times (2017)
• What is now on record is that he may have a problem when the heat is on. The Sun (2006)
• We've only got two more weeks until the deadline, and we're down three staff members, so the heat is on to get this project finished.
• The heat is on for the agency now that the scandal has made headlines.

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Question of the Day #781

Sometimes she sports a feather boa, other times a string of pearls hung around her neck. But always, she wears a European-style ballgown on her body. A body that looks, well, skeletal.

From the 1st paragraph of this article at Monocle.

上記の文で、feather boaの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "feather boa" 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：
Feather boaは、英辞郎、Weblio等に掲載されていないので、とりあえずGoogleで検索するとこのページが表示されます。で、これは、日本語では、

羽根ストール

というようです。（もし、他の呼び方があるようでしたら、ぜひ教えてください。）
Boaは、boa constrictor（王蛇）の略語ですが、衣類の「ボア襟巻」の意味もあります。

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

 a long thin fluffy scarf of feathers or fur

Examples

• A feather boa is a fashion accessory that is usually worn wrapped around the neck like a scarf.
• "Wow, that Kevin Max sure looks hot in a feather boa and eyeliner!"
• Diana Ross sauntered down the catwalk this season wearing little more than a feather boa and a smile.
• Better yet, Rodman in a feather boa, running anchor for the women.
• A black feather boa, perhaps bought for the Black Ascot, curved lavishly round to cancel any suggestion of nakedness.

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Question of the Day #780

"We do have an extremely calculated race plan, almost like a quarterback's playbook in American Football. Not quite hail Mary and 'balls to the wall' but very close."

From the 7th paragraph of this article at Super Sport.

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

〈米俗〉全速力で、全力で

balls to the wallsとも言います。
注：下記英語の定義にあるように、人によって失礼と思う場合があります。なぜなら、ballsを「睾丸」と勘違いする人が少なくないからです。本当の意味は、下記語源を参照してください。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

US, informal + sometimes offensive :with maximum effort or power: ALL OUT

語源

Lexicoによると、

1960年代から。語源は、軍用機において最大出力にするために、グリップの先が球状のスロットルを防火壁(wall)まで押しつけるさまより。

Etymology

According to Lexico,

1960s. Originally with reference to the ball-shaped grips on the throttles of certain military aircraft (which were opened by being pushed forward towards the firewall).

Examples

• It's either get there when you get there or go balls to the wall. There's no in between. — Joe McKinney, Dead City, 2006
• Look boys, this air raid needs to be done fast and efficiently; fly in balls to the wall, hit the targets, and get the heck out of there.
• When the captain called for balls to the wall, we stoked the fire and pushed the throttle to full.
• <1985 (book review) “Yeager's [[astronaut, Chuck]] style is to push planes and regulations to the limits of his skill and confidence. This means further than anyone else. He is frequently . . . flying ‘balls to the wall,’ . . .”—Time Magazine, 12 April>
• <2010 “If 51 seats was really the objective — if getting the majority is really that important, then let's go balls to the wall for Christine O'Donnell!"—Newsweek, 27 September, page 5

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Question of the Day #779

Frank Turner: ‘I’m a cis, hetero white male and what that means I should do is shut the f*** up’

From the headline of this article at The Independent.

上記の文で、cisの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "cis" 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：
Cisは、cisgenderまたはcissexualの略で英辞郎によると、

シスジェンダー◆生まれ持った性別と心の性が一致しており、その性別に従って生きる人

つまり、transgenderの反意語になります。

Answer

"Cis" in this context is short for cisgender or cissexual which according to Merriam-Webster means:

of, relating to, or being a person whose gender identity corresponds with the sex the person had or was identified as having at birth

Examples

• He said the entertainment industry was full of cis, straight, male characters.
• They stress that trans women and cis women are all women.
• … this whole experiment is framed within the experiences of a cis woman. — Lani Irving
• This new therapist was cis male, Jewish, and was actually trained in sports psychology. — Anna Borges, SELF, 22 Oct. 2019
• In cis women, nonconcordance happens about 90% of the time, meaning only 10% of the time do their genitals/brains match up. — Anna Pulley, chicagotribune.com, 23 Sep. 2019

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Question of the Day #778

It is worth it to live on a shoestring budget for a few years because the financial and psychological benefits of paying off the loans are immense.

From the 8th paragraph of this article at Above the Law.

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

《a ～》わずかの［乏しい］予算

「ギリギリの予算」と訳してもいいと思います。

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

A budget or allotment of resources that is very meager, sparse, or just enough to suit its purpose.

Examples

• The British-produced film was made on a shoestring budget.
• We do not want politics run on a shoestring, leading to poor decisions, poor government and the discouragement of good people from coming into politics.
• It is impossible to run a large symphony orchestra on a shoestring, or to run good opera cheaply.
• Unfortunately, due to government cutbacks following the recession, our department has had to produce the same levels of work on a shoestring budget.
• I did all sorts of traveling with just a shoestring budget when I was in college. You learn very quickly how to make the most of what you have!

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Question of the Day #777

Featuring AMG’s quintessential, hand-crafted V8 Biturbo engine the SL 55 sees 469 HP with 615 lb-ft of torque with a 0-60 MPH in a lightning quick, 3.8 seconds.

From the 6th paragraph of this article at Hot Cars.

上記の文で、lightning quickの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "lightning quick" 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：
なぜか、このイディオムは英辞郎等に掲載されていないので下記英語の意味を訳すと、

非常に早い。追いつけないほどに早い。名刺として使う場合は、ハイフォンでつなげます。

ちなみに、Google Translateは、「電光石火」と訳していて悪くないと思います。

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

Incredibly fast; too quick to keep up with. Hyphenated if used before a noun.

Examples

• I love how fast my new computer is! It has a lightning quick response to every keystroke.
• "Mr. Simons no longer runs day-to-day trading at Renaissance Technologies, which manages nearly $16 billion and specializes in lightning-quick computer-based trades, so his pay actually dropped a bit in 2010."
• "Powerful, lightning-quick, Wolf often bypasses the more traditional multi-mallet playing for a driving performance with single-sticks that is intense, and puts a unique stamp on his style of play."
• Did you see that martial arts expert? His kicks were lightning quick!
• My brother has a lightning-quick wit.

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Question of the Day #776

"I have a heavy heart not being able to go and support our athletes and tell them our consideration.

From the 6th paragraph of this article at Inside the Games.

上記の文で、have a heavy heartの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "have a heavy heart" 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：
Weblioによると、

1. 気が重い
2. 気が沈む

使い方が若干違いますが、同じ意味でwith a heavy heartとも言います。

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

To have a dejected or miserable attitude or disposition; to be in a depressed or grievous state.

Examples

• I have a heavy heart that the 70 sailors aboard were killed.
• I have a heavy heart since my Grandmother passed away; she was so close to me.
• “He had a heavy heart after moving away from his childhood home, but he knew it was necessary.”
• I've had a terribly heavy heart since my dog passed away.
• I have a heavy heart leaving home, but hopefully, this move is for the best.

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Question of the Day #775

King Of The Hill: Looking At The Bucks’ Upcoming Offseason

From the headline of this article at Brew Hoop.

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

お山の大将、親分、最も偉い人

この訳が間違っているわけではないが、問題文の場合は意訳が必要で「優勝チーム」あたりでしょうか。

Answer

According to The Idioms:

1. be the undisputed champion
2. be the leader in your chosen field
3. person in charge
4. a successful person
5. children’s game

Examples

• It’s going to be hard to beat the reigning kings of the hill. They are invincible.
• The event consisted of a 15-game round-robin then a final king-of-the-hill round. Times, Sunday Times (2014)
• He cajoled, he bullied, he got them all in the locker room, and he was king of the hill. Times, Sunday Times (2012)
• After years of slowly moving up the ranks, Joe finally became king of the hill in his office.
• This team will be hard to beat, reigning as king of the hill for three years straight.

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Question of the Day #774

Petrol subsidy retention: President Buhari kicks the can down the road

From the headline of this article at The Cable.

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

〈主に米話〉〔難題への対応を繰り返し〕先に延ばす、先送りする

下記英語の定義にあるように、このイディオムは特に政治関連でよく使用されます。

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

Especially in politics, to postpone or defer a definitive action, decision, or solution, usually by effecting a short-term one instead.

Examples

• I don't think we should kick the can down the road and let our grandkids solve that problem.
• You can’t solve a debt problem with more debt. That’s just kicking the can down the road.
• You can’t continue to kick the can down the road. Someone will have to tell him that he is fired.
• Kicking the can down the road is not a solution to any problem. We need to fix it permanently.
• It looks as though congress is going to kick the can down the road again on the debt ceiling issue, but they'll have to find a lasting solution eventually.

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Question of the Day #773

Called the Safe Outdoors Dog Act, it lays down basic safeguards for outdoor dogs, as follows:
Defines “adequate shelter” to protect dogs from extreme temperatures, inclement weather, and standing water.

From the 2nd and 3rd paragraphs of this article at Culture Map San Antonio.

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

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

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

1. 無情な、厳しい、冷酷な
2. 〔天候が〕荒れ模様の

下記英語の定義にあるように、一番の訳はarchaic（古めかしい）のでほとんど見かけません。さらに、問題文のように一番見かける使い方がinclement weatherで、現在ほとんどの場合、天気・気候の修飾語として使用されます。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

lacking mildness: such as:

1. physically severe: STORMY
2. archaic: severe in temper or action: UNMERCIFUL

Examples

• The game was postponed due to inclement weather.
• We should come to terms with our generally inclement climate, particularly in my part of the country.
• Collections were made by the ship's doctor on the deck of the ship, where conditions were sufficiently inclement on occasion to partially freeze the water in the washing baths.
• "What brings you off the reservation on such an inclement Saturday evening? Tony Hillerman TALKING GOD (2001)
• Growers in Florida and the U.S. Department of Agriculture warned of a particularly low crop yield this year caused by inclement weather and a disease targeting oranges. — NBC News, 19 Jan. 2022

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Question of the Day #772

The Agony and the Ecstasy of the Ugly Cry

From the headline of this article at The New Republic.

上記の文で、ugly cryの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "ugly cry" 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：
英辞郎等のオンライン辞典に掲載されてなく適訳もないので、下記Lexicoの定義を意訳すると、

激しく泣いているために顔の表情が歪んでしまう状態

になります。
動詞として使用する場合は、ハイフォンを入れるのが正しいですが、ハイフォンのない場合も多く見られます。

Answer

According to Lexico:

A period of crying so intensely that one's facial expression becomes contorted.

語源

this article at Merriam-Websterによると、

ugly cryingという表現は1970年代後半に遡りますが、ugly cryは2000年代前半にOprah Winfreyが頻繁に使用したので有名になった。

Merriam-Websterの記事にもっと詳しい経緯の説明がありますので、ぜひ読んでみましょう。

Etymology

According to this article at Merriam-Webster,

Though the term 'ugly crying' can be traced to the late 1970s, it rocketed to fame with Oprah Winfrey in the early 2000s.

Please see the entire article for a more detailed explanation.

Examples

• ‘the ending of the film will probably elicit an ugly cry’
• No movie can make you ugly cry like My Dog Skip.
• By 2013, Claire Danes had also become associated with the ugly cry because of her emotional portrayal on Homeland of a CIA analyst struggling with bipolar disorder.
• Oprah Winfrey helped popularize the expression, however, when she described how meeting Mary Tyler Moore made her go “into the ‘ugly cry’” in the early 2000s.
• “There is NO shame in feeling deeply. Have that ugly cry, be lost, be confused, but address it - and work towards healing and understanding.”

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