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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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?

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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、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?

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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。
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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。
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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。
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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. 〔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。
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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、

〈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。
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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。
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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、

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。
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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、

〔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。
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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. 〔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。
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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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