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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