Question of the Day #969

Feeling my oats for the last time this year

From the headline of this article at OUPblog.

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

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

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

 

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

1. 〈話〉元気いっぱいである
2. 〈話〉うぬぼれる

   

Answer

According to Dictionary.com:

1. Feel frisky or animated
2. Display self-importance

 

語源

Dictionary.comによると、

仔馬が餌を食べ終わって、元気になる様子から。

 

Etymology

According to Dictionary.com,

The image is of a colt that has been fed and is feeling energetic.

   

Examples

• School was out, and they were feeling their oats.（定義1）
• He was feeling his oats, bossing everyone around.（定義2）
• The dog must be feeling his oats, considering how he's running around the yard today.（定義1）
• If you sassed the boss like that, you must be feeling your oats!（定義2）
• The boss was very cautious during his first year, but lately he’s been feeling his oats and getting rid of people he doesn’t work well with.（定義1）

   

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