Question of the Day #1004

In the '90s it was pleather, overalls, and colored sunglasses, in the 2000s it was cargo pants, baggy jeans, bucket hats (although this one's making a grand comeback), and so on, you get the gist.

From the 2nd paragraph of this article at Glam.

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

要点を理解する

   

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

To understand the central, essential, or general matter of something, such as an argument, speech, concept, process, etc., without being proficient in the more specific details.

 

Examples

• A: "Did you understand what she was saying?" B: "My Japanese isn't great anymore, but I think I got the gist of it."
• Bob: "Are you sure you understand what's involved?" Steve: "Yeah, yeah, I get the gist."
• The book is full of obscure verbiage, but I think I get the gist.
• Although the instructions are quite technical, for all intents and purposes, you get the gist.
• didn't catch every word between them, but heard enough to get the gist of the conversation

   

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Question of the Day #1003

The Rush album that Geddy Lee called "the straw that broke the camel's back"

From the headline of this article at Far Out Magazine.

  上記の文で、the straw that broke the camel's backの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "the straw that broke the camel's back" 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、

我慢の限界を超えるもの［こと］、最後の決定的な一撃、破滅のきっかけとなる最後の小さな出来事、ちょっとしたことだが我慢できないこと◆通例、過去形のbrokeを使うが、例外的にbreaksを使った言い方もある。

なお、the last strawというイディオムは、このthe straw that breaks/broke the camel's backのことを指しています。  

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

the last in a series of bad things that happen to make someone very upset, angry, etc.

 

Examples

• According to El Nacional, this was the straw that broke the camel's back. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2023
• We have been so unfairly discriminated against for so long, this was the straw that broke the camel's back. — Star Tribune, 25 June 2021
• He was told he would not be allowed to drive after his stroke and his son told the inquest at Reading Town Hall on November 9 that this was ‘the straw that broke the camel’s back’. (The Reading Chronicle)
• “The biggest problem is the lack of parking, the second thing is that people don’t want to pay to park, and the third thing is that fines are really the final straw that broke the camel’s back,” Campbell said. (The New Zealand Herald)
• I was already fed up with his laziness and insensitivity, but Jim's refusal to come with me to my own mother's funeral was the straw that breaks the camel's back.

   

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Question of the Day #1002

Onus on parliament to pay for elections

From the headline of this article at the Tribune.com.pk.

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

負担、重荷、義務、責任◆【複】onuses

   

Answer

According to :

1.              
                
   1. BURDEN
                
   2. a disagreeable necessity : OBLIGATION
                
   3. BLAME
                
   4. STIGMA
                
2. [New Latin onus (probandi), literally, burden of proving] : BURDEN OF PROOF

 

Examples

• If you ordered something, then the onus is on you to pay for it.
• That puts the onus back on them. - Times, Sunday Times (2014)
• But this places the onus on investors to assess the underlying health of a with-profits fund. - Times, Sunday Times (2007)
• The Senate can vote first on the measure, which would put the onus on House Republicans to bring it up for a vote or allow for a shutdown. —Kevin Freking, Anchorage Daily News, 29 July 2023
• The onus will be on Bank of America to send payments to anyone who is eligible. —Matt Egan, CNN, 11 July 2023

   

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Question of the Day #1001

Sean Reidy 'chomping at the bit' to try and earn another Ireland chance

From the headline of this article at RTE.ie.

  上記の文で、chomp at the bitの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "chomp at the bit" 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：
英辞郎には、chomp at the bitはありませんが別表記のchamp at the bitがあります。

ウズウズする、落ち着かない

Champ at the bitは、もとの慣用句ですが、今ではchomp at the bitのほうが一般的です。
このイディオムは、何かを待ってうずうずしている人を興奮している馬が馬具の「はみ」を噛む様に例えています。

 

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

To be impatient or eager for something to happen or over some delay. Used to liken someone to an overexcited horse straining against its bit (the metal piece of the harness that fits between its jaws). A variant of "champ at the bit," which is the original phrase.

 

Examples

• The crowd chomped at the bit to see the unveiling of the new building.
• I've chomped at the bit for an opportunity like this my entire life!
• I was chomping at the bit for the game to start.
• After two hours of waiting in the airport lobby, we were chomping at the bit to finally get on the plane.
• I'm flying to Germany in three weeks. I'm chomping at the bit!

   

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Question of the Day #1000

Generation Alpha will lead a 100% digital world

From the headline of this article at Iberdrola.

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

α世代（アルファせだい）、ジェネレーションα（英: Generation Alpha）は、アメリカ合衆国や英語圏などにおいて概ね2010年代から2020年代中盤（もしくは終盤）にかけて生まれる世代とされるが、2020年代前半時点で定義は厳密には定まっておらず流動的である。

なお英語のメディアでは、Generation αはただのアルファベットの小文字のaと混乱されやすいことからGeneration Alphaと書くことが多い。また、Gen Alphaと省略されることもある。
さらに、下記Britannica.comの英語の定義では2010年から2025年の間に生まれた世代としているが、この言葉を初めて使ったMark McCrindleしは2010年から2024年としている。

Answer

According to Britannica.com:

Generation Alpha, also called Gen Alpha, term used to describe the generation of people born (or who will be born) between 2010 and 2025. Some researchers, however, consider slightly different ranges.

 

語源

Britannica.comによると、

Generation Alphaは、オーストラリア人社会学者のMark McCrindle氏によって2008年の論文ではじめて使用された。

 

Etymology

According to Britannica.com,

The term was introduced by Australian social researcher Mark McCrindle in a 2008 report on the subject.

   

Examples

• Generation Alpha can be difficult to describe demographically because they are still being born.
• Generation Alpha includes those born from 2010 onwards and who have therefore grown up in a fully digital world.
• We’re talking about Generation Alpha, the children of Generation Y, and often the younger siblings of Generation Z.
• Gen Alpha are the most materially endowed generation ever, the most technologically savvy generation ever and they will enjoy a longer life span than any previous generation.
• Generation Alpha began being born in 2010, the year the iPad was launched, Instagram was created, and App was the word of the year- and so from their earliest years, they have been screenagers.

   

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Question of the Day #999

As for learning from the past, that ship has sailed

From the headline of this article at The Sydney Morning Herald.

  上記の文で、that ship has sailedの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "that ship has sailed" 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、

時すでに遅し

   

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

Some possibility or option is no longer available or likely.

 

Examples

• I've thought about going back to college but I feel like that ship has sailed.
• By the time my boss recommended me for the position that ship had sailed.
• Sorry but that ship has sailed and we're no longer accepting applications.
• A: "I was hoping to get to bed early tonight, but clearly, that ship has sailed." B: "Well, yeah, it's already midnight."
• If you were hoping to ask Mollie out, that ship has sailed—she's going to the dance with Peter.

   

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Question of the Day #998

Chlöe Swarbrick: New Zealand needs Govt’s bread and butter Budget to be bold, not beige

From the headline of this article at the NZ Herald.

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

[名]

1. バター付きパン、基本的な食べ物、毎日の生活に必須のもの、飯の種、生計の手段、生活のための仕事、生活の糧、生活基盤に関わるもの、主要な収入源、本業
2. 《テレビ》娯楽本位の帯番組
3. 糊口、屋台骨

[形] (bread-and-butterと書くこともあります)

1. 〔仕事などが〕生計を支える（ための）、生活していくための
2. 基本的な要求を満たす、基礎的な問題に関する
3. 日用の、平凡な
4. もてなしに対して感謝の気持ちを表した

 

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

Adjective

1. 1. being as basic as the earning of one's livelihood
   1. RELIABLE
   2. dependable as a source of income
2. sent or given as thanks for hospitality

Noun

• a means of sustenance or livelihood

   

Examples

• These are hardly the bread-and-butter concerns of struggling farmers.
• the agency's bread-and-butter account
• The opposition gained support by concentrating on bread-and-butter matters.
• Indeed, in a country with rampant poverty, inequality, and hunger, the average voter’s choices are driven more by bread-and-butter issues than abstract issues of democracy. —Omkar Poojari, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 Aug. 2023
• The amendments that were added to the defense authorization bill, however, highlight the degree to which cultural and social flash points have become the bread-and-butter issues for a significant part of the Republican base. —Dan Balz, Anchorage Daily News, 16 July 2023

   

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Question of the Day #997

Guest of Honour — David Thewlis as a food inspector in a cockamamie stew

From the headline of this article at .

  上記の文で、cockamamieの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "cockamamie" 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. 〈米俗〉つまらない、価値のない、無意味な
2. 〈米俗〉〔話・言い訳などが〕ばかげた、途方もない

Cockamamyと綴ることもあります。
 

Answer

According to Dictionary.com:

ridiculous, pointless, or nonsensical:

 

語源

英辞郎によると、

1920年頃にdecalcomaniaから作られ、1960年頃に流行したもの。紙から手や腕などに写し取った絵はすぐに消えてしまうため、「品質が悪い」「つまらない」という意味が生じ、後に「ばかばかしい」という意味が派生したと考えられている。

 

Etymology

According to ,

American English slang word attested by 1946, popularized c. 1960, but said to be New York City children's slang from mid-1920s; perhaps an alteration of decalcomania (see decal). There is a 1945 recorded use of the word apparently meaning a kind of temporary tattoo used by children.

 

Examples

• of all the cockamamy excuses I ever heard — Leo Rosten
• He had some cockamamie idea about turning waste paper into animal food.
• I've got plans, and I'm going to make them work while you mess about with this cockamamy idea.
• Dadi only talked like that, all formal and stuff, when she was cooking up some cockamamie plan that would usually end up with something valuable broken. From Twinkle, with Love
• “Maybe we’ve done a stupid, cockamamie thing, taking these kids in,” Tiller said. Ruby Holler

   

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Question of the Day #996

Costco’s New Sandwich Costs Too Much Bread for Too Much Bread

From the headline of this article at The Takeout.

  上記の文で、breadの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "bread" 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・古〉＝money

<古>となっていますが、今でも使用されます。
   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

slang: MONEY

 

Examples

• "I hate doing this, but I need the bread."
• I took the job because I needed to earn some bread.
• a period in which you could earn your bread by the sweat of your brow
• He's bringin in the bread yo.
• Yo, I'm low on bread foo!

   

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Question of the Day #995

‘Matilda the Musical’ review: Netflix does halfway decent Dahl

From the headline of this article at the New York Post.

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

《be ～》〔物事・人物などが〕それなりにちゃんとしている、そう悪くもない、一応まともだ

   

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

Somewhat good, useful, or enjoyable, but not very; passable.

 

Examples

• Anyone with a halfway decent phone can access the Internet these days!
• John: "So, what did you think of the film?" Bill: "Eh, it was halfway decent, I guess."
• In Arnold, Schwarzenegger finally offers a halfway decent apology for his actions. —Marlow Stern, Rolling Stone, 5 June 2023
• In hard-to-fill roles, such as workers in restaurants, warehouses, fulfillment centers, hotels and other front-line jobs, managers were open to hiring anyone halfway decent. —Jack Kelly, Forbes, 4 Aug. 2022
• And, yes, quarantine room service will offer a halfway decent vegan spread. —Matt Sullivan, Rolling Stone, 29 Jan. 2022

   

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Question of the Day #994

The British really have a knack for names: carts are called trolleys, cookies are biscuits, and instead of a bachelor party (a party thrown in celebration of the man about to get married), they call it a stag party.

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

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

～のこつを知っている、～の才がある

この場合の才能というのは、どちらかというと生まれつきのものを言うことが多い。
 

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

To be exceptionally proficient at (doing) something.

   

Examples

• Jenny's got a real knack for the piano.
• I don't know what it is, but David just has a knack for getting under my skin.
• a knack for remembering faces
• Some people seem to have a knack for making money.
• He seems to have a knack for getting people to agree with him.

   

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Question of the Day #993

This vision of food's future could have legs – but rather more than you might like.

From the headline of this article at National Geographic.

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

永続性がある

下記英語の定義になるように、主に考え・意見・現象・流行等に対して使用されます。
 

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

• That theory really has legs—years later, most people still think that the wrong man was convicted.
• This latest scandal has legs - you'll probably still be reading about it in a year's time.
• The business has legs.
• Mr Blucher was confident that his concept had legs, so he persisted and pressed Mr Cooper for a meeting.
• We’ll soon see if the movie has legs.

   

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Question of the Day #992

What is a chief growth officer? Beats me

From the headline of this article at ZD Net.

  上記の文で、beats meの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "beats me" 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：
Yahoo! ニュースのこの記事によると、

「Beats me.」は「I don't know.（わからない、知らない）」という意味になります。

と言うことになっていますが、下記英語の定義にあるようにbaffles me(〔人を〕途方に暮れさせる、困惑させる、まごつかせる)やpuzzles me(〔難問を突き付けて人を〕当惑させる、まごつかせる)と同じ意味なので、個人的には「全くわからない」「見当がつかない」のほうがいいと思います。  

Answer

According to Dictionary.com:

This baffles or puzzles me

 

Examples

• I don't know how he does it—beats me!
• How do you measure such a thing? Beats me.
• Though why he wants to call himself a doctor beats me.
• A: "How long has this milk been in the fridge?" B: "Beats me. Check the expiration date."
• It beats me—I have no idea how to get to the mall from here.

 

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