Question of the Day #1343

Why governments think that freedom of information is for nincompoops

From the headline of this article at The Conservation.

  上記の文で、nincompoopの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "nincompoop" 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。
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】
〈話・古〉ばか者◆可算

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

a stupid or silly person: FOOL, SIMPLETON

 

Examples

1. The people running that company are a bunch of nincompoops!
2. Korda has declared that, because his nine sons are, frankly, nincompoops and rapscallions, Liesl will be the sole heir to his fortune. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 May 2025
3. Tom was of course not a nincompoop, but a serious, thoughtful person who hungered to add substance to sketch comedy. From Los Angeles Times
4. But nincompoop or not, she would have to report to him if she worked for the Navy. From Literature
5. It turns out, most of us are social nincompoops. From New York Times

   

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Question of the Day #1342

Slack-Jawed Yokel Proves Need for Nationwide Civics Education

From the headline of this article at TheHumanist.com.

  上記の文で、slack-jawedの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "slack-jawed" 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：
英辞郎によると、

【形】
〈俗〉〔驚いて・あきれて〕口をポカーンと開けた◆【同】open-mouthed

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

1. having the lower jaw dropped especially in an expression of surprise, amazement, etc.
2. lacking intelligence or sophistication
3. causing an open-mouthed expression (as of shock or surprise)

 

Examples

1. I'm still a bit slack-jawed thinking about this. From Slate Magazine
2. He just gazed at me slack-jawed.
3. The kid was awestruck, delighted and slack-jawed as he held up the keepsake for photos. From Los Angeles Times
4. The arrests at their Miami Beach homes left the luxury real estate industry from New York to South Florida slack-jawed. — Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 10 June 2025
5. At this point, Pip is as slack-jawed as the rest of us. — Fletcher Peters, Vulture, 2 Aug. 2024

   

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Question of the Day #1341

Nixon lawyer explains what's keeping him 'on the edge of his seat' in hush money case

From the headline of this article at AllSides.

  上記の文で、on the edge of one's seatの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "on the edge of one's seat" 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：
英辞郎によると、

1. 椅子の端に座って（身を乗り出して）
2. 〔映画・芝居・人の話などに〕引き込まれて夢中になって、魅了されて、ひどく興奮して、ワクワク［ハラハラ・ウズウズ］して、手に汗を握って

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

watching or listening to something with great interest especially because one does not know what is going to happen

 

Examples

1. It's a thrilling movie that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.
2. It's not going to win any awards, but the film certainly kept us on the edge of our chair from start to finish.
3. I've been on the edge of my chair waiting for my acceptance letter.
4. Saturday night's final had the spectators on the edge of their seats.
5. The book is full of plot twists that really keep you on the edge of your seat. The Guardian (2015)

   

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Question of the Day #1340

Clean slate as new ministers sweep in

From the headline of this article at The Law Society Gazette.

  上記の文で、clean slateの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "clean slate" 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：
英辞郎によると、

1. 《a ～》白紙の状態
2. 《a ～》きれいな［汚れのない・汚点のない・申し分のない・立派な］経歴
3. 《a ～》前科のない人物

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

a person's record (as from a school or a job) that shows no evidence of any problems, broken rules, etc. : a clean record

 

Examples

1. Everyone who comes to this school starts with a clean slate.
2. Clear the land, then figure out the best use with a clean slate. — U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
3. Given how bad last year was though, a clean slate makes a lot of sense. — Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025
4. We thought it would be better to start with a clean slate than one that had been muddied by a prior decision.
5. It's good for the new CEO to have a clean slate.

   

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Question of the Day #1339

2025 Word of the Year: Slop

From the headline of this article at Merriam-Webster.

  上記の文で、slopの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "slop" 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：
Slopは、他にかなりの数の定義がありますが、この場合は英辞郎によると、

〈俗〉〔AI（人工知能）が生成した〕低品質［無意味］なコンテンツ

厳密にいうと、AI slopが正しい用語ですが、今ではAIを削除するようになっています。

 

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence

 

Examples

1. An AI-enabled social media future also raises concerns around deterring AI slop—mass-produced, junky and superficial content that clogs up the web and social media accounts. —Katelyn Chedraoui
2. Slop can now be found anywhere, from unsettling images on Facebook of Jesus fused with prawns to poorly written Kindle books … —Tess Bennett
3. “Slop” is what you get when you put AI-generated material up on the internet for anyone to view.
4. AI slop AI slop is slowly killing the internet!
5. ... the mass-produced slop that comes out of Hollywood.

   

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Question of the Day #1338

Drew Parker Wears His Heart On His Sleeve on Debut Album ‘Camouflage Cowboy’

From the headline of this article at Shore Fire Media.

  上記の文で、wear one's heart on one's sleeveの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "wear one's heart on one's sleeve" 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：
英辞郎によると、

心の内を露骨［率直］に話す［打ち明ける］

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

to show one's emotions very openly

 

Examples

1. “You have to play it cool with a girl like Heidi; you mustn't wear your heart on your sleeve.”
2. When trying to establish a relationship is it better to play hard to get or is it better to wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve? From Scientific American
3. She was not the kind who would wear her heart on her sleeve.
4. How lovely to be young and wear our hearts on our sleeves!
5. My dad was raised to be a manly man, so he couldn’t wear his heart on his sleeves.

   

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Question of the Day #1337

Coronavirus: Mixed messages muddy the waters

From the headline of this article at BBC.com.

  上記の文で、muddy the watersの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "muddy the waters" 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：
英辞郎によると、

〔波風を立てて事態を〕混乱させる◆【反】calm the waters

   

Answer

According to :

To introduce something, typically information, to an issue or situation that makes it less clear or more confusing.

 

Examples

1. Bringing up one irrelevant fact after another, he succeeded in muddying the waters.
2. Experts say Beijing is seeking to bring non-Chinese audiences into the dispute about Covid-19 origins to further muddy the waters. From BBC
3. But those messages “work to muddy the waters to the same end — which is to stop action on climate change,” he said. From New York Times
4. Don't muddy the waters with unrelated issues—we need to focus on this one problem.
5. The last witness's testimony has really muddied the water for the prosecution's case against the defendant.

   

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Question of the Day #1336

Sounding off or a sounding board? Comments sections of news websites as interactive spaces

From the headline of this article at Cairn.info.

  上記の文で、sounding boardの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "sounding board" 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. 共鳴板
2. 宣伝手段
3. 〔新しいアイデアなどの良しあしの〕相談役

   

Answer

According to Dictionary.com:

1. a thin, resonant plate of wood forming part of a musical instrument, and so placed as to enhance the power and quality of the tone.
2. a structure over or behind and above a speaker, orchestra, etc., to reflect the sound toward the audience.
3. a board used in floors, partitions, etc., for deadening sound.
4. a person or persons whose reactions serve as a measure of the effectiveness of the methods, ideas, etc., put forth.
5. a person or group that propagates ideas, opinions, etc..

 

Examples

1. My friend is my sounding board for new ideas.
2. Brian Burns was new to the team and seems more like a steady sounding board. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2025
3. Lila needs a friend and a sounding board at this point, not a life coach. — Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2024
4. His parents both played professionally in volleyball, so they’ve been good role models and sounding boards for what to expect in the college journey. From Los Angeles Times
5. Dan said he was in no doubt that his uncle would have been "a sounding board" for his music. From BBC

   

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Question of the Day #1335

Marlene Jennings: Justin Trudeau’s ‘come-to-Jesus moment’

From the headline of this article at The Gazette.

  上記の文で、come-to-Jesus momentの意味は？
In the headline above, what does "come-to-Jesus moment" 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：
英辞郎等にはこれという適訳がないので下記Merriam-Websterの定義を訳すと、

大きな変化をもたらす突然の覚醒・理解・認識

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

a moment of sudden realization, comprehension, or recognition that often precipitates a major change

 

Examples

1. Many patients emerge from illness having had a come-to-Jesus moment that reorients their thinking. — James Hamblin
2. Several years ago, Graham had had something of a come-to-Jesus moment of his own after a promising relationship fizzled. — Anna Russell, The New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2024
3. Elon [Musk] is inseparable from Tesla and the brand...If he were to leave or take a lesser role, I think that it would be devastating for shareholders. What needs to happen is just a come-to-Jesus moment for Elon.
4. All politicians are dirty as hell. None of them have ever had a come to Jesus moment.
5. There needed to be a come-to-Jesus moment recognizing everybody can’t do everything. — Peter Biskind, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Nov. 2023

   

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Question of the Day #1334

Samsung says the Galaxy S24 Ultra's washed out display is intended behavior

From the heading of this thread at Reddit.

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

【形】
洗いざらしの、色あせた、くたびれた

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

1. faded in color
2. depleted in vigor or animation: EXHAUSTED

 

Examples

1. This carpet is all washed out from the sun.
2. It’s funny how just the grainy, washed-out look of videotape can conjure so much melancholy. From Salon
3. Images generally have washed-out colors and an overall dark tone. — PC Magazine, 25 July 2025
4. In Jamaica, the impact was most severe in the southwestern parish of St Elizabeth, where knee-deep mud and washed-out bridges left towns such as Black River cut off. From BBC
5. She was wearing an old washed-out T-shirt and jeans.

   

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Question of the Day #1333

Don’t Get Out of Sorts: Composing Text

From the headline of this article at the Library of Congress Blogs site.

  上記の文で、out of sortsの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "out of sorts" 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. 元気がない、気分が良くない、意気消沈した
2. 機嫌が悪い、不機嫌な、イライラして

問題の見出しの場合、2番目の訳が正解でしょう。


 

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

1. as in fiery
   easily irritated or annoyed
2. as in bad
   temporarily suffering from a disorder of the body

 

Examples

1. She was feeling out of sorts after such a long day.
2. He woke up out of sorts and decided to stay home from work.
3. I've been feeling tired and headachy and generally out of sorts.
4. And I'll have a huge pang of regret and I'll be out of sorts for a few days and my friends will wonder what's up. Isabel Wolff RESCUING ROSE (2002)
5. They had arrived unannounced, looking concerned and out of sorts. James W. Huston FALLOUT (2002)

   

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Question of the Day #1332

“PROVE ME WRONG”: RAGE BAIT, VIOLENCE, AND MAKING PROGRESS

From the headline of this article at The Phoenix News.

  上記の文で、rage baitの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "rage bait" 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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Rage baitは、2025年のOxford Word of the Yearです。（日本の「流行語大賞」みたいなもの。）
本年の候補に挙げられた三つの用語は、age baitとaura farmingとbiohackだったですが、三日間にわたって3万人以上の投票や意見を加味しつつ、Oxford University Pressの有識者が選んだ単語はrage baitでした。  

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

レイジ・ベイト、怒りを誘う［あおる］餌◆人々の怒りや反感を意図的に引き出すためのコンテンツや投稿を指す。

   

Answer

According to the Cambridge Dictionary:

information, images, videos, etc. that are put on the internet to deliberately make people angry and to encourage them to reply online

 

Examples

1. Some of those police brutality articles are pure rage bait.
2. The AI-generated ragebait has been watched by millions of people.
3. Rage-bait content has become a lucrative field.
4. West’s song is a bleak cut even beyond the ragebait title. — August Brown, The Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2025
5. Rage bait article worked, and giving it more traffic by sharing. Bump up that click through rate for ad revenue — Reddit.com, 20 Mar. 2025

   

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Question of the Day #1331

Downer News Bums Out Women But Not Men

From the headline of this article at the Smithsonian Magazine.

  上記の文で、downerの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "downer" 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。
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. 鎮静剤◆可算◆通例、downers
2. 気をめいらせる［精神的に落ち込ませる］ようなこと［出来事・経験］◆可算

この単語は上記の両方の意味でしばしば使用されますが、例文の場合は2番の訳になります。

 

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

1. a depressant drug
2. someone or something depressing, disagreeable, or unsatisfactory
3. a weak, sick, or lame domesticated animal (such as a cow or pig) that is down and cannot get up

 

Examples

1. You lost your job? That's a real downer!
2. However, there are two enormous downers.
3. Of course, the downer is that the schedule gets much tougher down the stretch. — J.p. Pelzman, Forbes, 13 May 2021
4. The one visual downer is the stage, which is no longer wood. — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2024
5. Europe and Asia are closing out the week on a downer note. — Bernhard Warner, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2021

   

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Question of the Day #1330

Baffling interstellar object 'Oumuamua could be a 'dust bunny'

From the headline of this article at Fox News.

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

〈米話〉ほこり［ちり・糸くず］の塊、綿ごみ

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

an aggregate of dust

Examples

1. The robot vacuum cleaner sweeps up pizza crumbs and dust bunnies with minimal human effort.
2. Learn to love dust bunnies, and stop doing housework once in a while; you'll have a lot more time.
3. But for the most part, nothing bad will happen if a couple of dust bunnies gather in the corner. — Annie Midori Atherton, Washington Post, 15 Jan. 2024
4. Men walk into a room and apparently can’t see the dust bunnies gathering on the floor or the piles of laundry stacked up on the couch. — The Conversation, oregonlive.com, 7 July 2019
5. The best gifts are the ones that solve a problem: These hangers help store longer garments on shorter closet bars to keep everything tidy and dust bunny free. — Alesandra Dubin, Woman's Day, 18 Sep. 2022

   

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Question of the Day #1329

Yankees owner seemingly gives Blue Jays backhanded compliment

From the headline of this article at Yahoo! Sports.

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

皮肉なお世辞、ほめ殺し

   

Answer

According to :

a compliment that implies it is not really a compliment at all

 

Examples

1. She paid me a backhanded compliment when she said my work was "surprisingly good."
2. I say this unironically, and not as a backhanded compliment.
3. She was insulted by his back-handed compliment.
4. The judges loved your performance, but this was a backhanded compliment since they also highlighted it was blunt.
5. The husband said the food was tasty, which seemed like a backhanded compliment since he ate only two spoonfuls.

   

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Question of the Day #1328

Michael Douglas defends Biden mental acuity: ‘Sharp as a tack’

From the headline of this article at The Hill.

  上記の文で、sharp as a tackの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "sharp as a tack" 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。
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、

《be ～》鋭い知性の持ち主だ、とても鋭敏だ［頭が良い］

英辞郎の訳にあるように、本当はas sharp as a tackが正しいのですが、一般的にasをつけないことも多い。実際、多くの英英辞典ではsharp as a tackで掲載されています。

 

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

Intelligent and a quick-thinker.

 

Examples

1. My granddad may be old and cantankerous, but he's still sharp as a tack. You can't get anything past him.
2. Ted's as sharp as a tack, so he'll find a solution to this problem.
3. Notre Dame coach Evan Yabu said of Hurst, “He’s accurate. He’s as sharp as a tack.” - Read more on Los Angeles Times
4. “Talk to him for five minutes and you’ll see he’s sharp as a tack.” - Read more on Los Angeles Times
5. In our brainstorming session, Jane was sharp as a tack, coming up with brilliant ideas one after another. Source: theidioms.com

   

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Question of the Day #1327

Take the bull by the horns!

From the headline of this article at ITS International.

  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。
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、

恐れずに危険［難問］に立ち向かう◆【類】have [hold] the wolf by the ear

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

to deal with a difficult situation in a very direct or confident way

 

Examples

1. Why don't you take the bull by the horns and tell him to leave?
2. I took the bull by the horns and confronted him about his mistreatment of the workers.
3. "It's amazing how so many people can know about something that's so interesting but nobody takes the bull by the horns," she said. - Seattle Times, May 10, 2013
4. Instead of committing to a life where you’re being led, why not use this month to take the bull by the horns and start to go where you’re called to go? — Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Nov. 2025
5. Instead, the real estate industry should take the bull by the horns and start redeveloping obsolete space. — Jan Mischke, Fortune, 20 July 2023

   

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Question of the Day #1326

Trump and Starmer put lipstick on a pig of a trade deal

From the headline of this article at the Independent.

  上記の文で、lipstick on a pigの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "lipstick on a pig" 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。
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、

〈侮蔑的〉豚［ブタ］に口紅◆「豚のように醜いものをきれいに見せようと努力しても無駄に終わるだけ」、「表面的にきれいにしても本質は変わらない」などの意味で用いられる。

なお、このイディオムの元はYou can put lipstick on a pig, it's still a pig.です。

 

Answer

According to Langeek:

used to convey the idea that no matter how much one tries to disguise or enhance the appearance of something or someone, their true nature or essence remains unchanged

 

Examples

1. I tell my children to be careful not to judge others based on appearances, because you can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig.
2. “Right now our fundraising sucks,” Boehner said. “There’s no other way to put it. There’s no use putting lipstick on a pig.”
3. When Barack Obama told a crowd at a campaign event on Tuesday, “You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig,” the McCain campaign swiftly took offense, claiming the analogy was directed at vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin.
4. Marla – "Did you see Susan's new hairdo? I guess she thought that cutting her bangs and coloring her hair bright orange looks good."
   Joe – "Oh please, it's like putting lipstick on a pig."
5. "These are all positive signs, but a lot of critics would say it's lipstick on a pig and players are going to keep getting hit..." Source: The Economist.

   

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Question of the Day #1325

If pigs could fly – giant boar is hoax, say officials

From the headline of this article at The Guardian.

  上記の文で、if pigs could flyの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "if pigs could fly" 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：
英辞郎等の日本語のページに意味が掲載されていないので、下記The Free Dictionaryよると、

不可能なことが実際に起こり得るとしたら。（仮定上の状況や予想される結果に対する懐疑や皮肉を表す目的で用いられる。）

このイディオムは、Question of the Day #891の"When pigs can fly"から派生したイディオムだと思います。

 

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

If something impossible could actually happen. (Used to show skepticism or cynicism over some hypothetical situation or outcome.)

 

Examples

1. She'll finish the project on time? Yeah, if pigs could fly.
2. He'll apologize? Sure, if pigs could fly.
3. I'm sure that David would be happy to pay for everyone—if pigs could fly.
4. Billy as class valedictorian? Yeah, maybe if pigs could fly!
5. 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, and if pigs could fly, we'd have a whole new mode of transportation at our fingertips! Get real."

   

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Question of the Day #1324

Governor calls USS Yorktown "clean as a whistle", remediation complete

From the headline of this article at South Carolina Public Radio.

  上記の文で、clean as a whistleの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "clean as a whistle" 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：
英辞郎によると、

全くきれいで、極めて明白な、とても清潔で、清廉潔白で、物の見事に、やすやすと

 

Answer

According to :

very clean

 

Examples

1. It leaves your face feeling clean as a whistle but not bone-dry.
2. 'His private life is as clean as a whistle,' says McSmith.
3. "He’s got a crack in his lower leg that they fixed and operated on. It went clean as a whistle, really good. It was as good as it could humanly be as far as the prognosis of things," Fisher said, via Yahoo Sports. Read more on Fox News
4. Sometimes, these baths even offer treatments that are aimed at getting visitors clean as a whistle. — Richard Quest, CNN, 8 May 2023
5. Here's a simple guide on how to keep your ride as clean as a whistle. — Keenan Thompson, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2025

   

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Question of the Day #1323

‘Happy-go-lucky’ Texas man debuts Ebola-themed Halloween decorations

From the headline of this article at Global News.

  上記の文で、happy-go-luckyの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "happy-go-lucky" 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：
英辞郎によると、

【形】
楽天的な、のんきな

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

blithely unconcerned : CAREFREE

 

Examples

1. Most people see him as a happy-go-lucky guy without a care in the world.
2. His happy-go-lucky manner and godlike popularity with many football fans put the broadcaster and football pundit in a strong position. The Guardian (2019)
3. Most people see him as a happy-go-lucky guy without a care in the world. The Sun (2012)
4. Even the happy-go-lucky Joel has demons of doubt and past trauma. — Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
5. This is not a happy-go-lucky story, but an old-school fairy tale meant to frighten, confuse and excite. — Lucas Trevor, Washington Post, 4 Dec. 2023

   

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Question of the Day #1322

Speaking of Psychology: Tightwads and spendthrifts: How emotions drive our shopping behavior, with Scott Rick, PhD

From the headline of this article at the American Psychological Association.

  上記の文で、tightwadとspendthriftの意味は？
In the sentence above, what do "tightwad" and "spendthrift" 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：
英辞郎によるとtightwadの意味は、

【名】
〈俗〉〔金を使いたがらない〕けちん坊、けちなやつ◆可算

  英辞郎によるとspendthriftの意味は、

1. 【形】
   金遣いの荒い、浪費的な
2. 【名】
   浪費家◆可算

 

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster tightwad means:

a close or miserly person

  According to Merriam-Webster spendthrift means:

1. Noun: a person who spends improvidently or wastefully
2. Adjective: given to spending money freely or foolishly : wasteful with money

 

Examples

Tightwad

1. Her husband's such a tightwad that he never wants to go out to dinner.
2. There's no point in asking Joe to pay for it - he's a real tightwad.
3. When it comes to the weekly shop we have become a nation of tightwads.
4. Your customers can be tightwads or spendthrifts, and your products may be oriented to one or the other. — Roger Dooley, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
5. The details of the tax returns painted Reagan as a tightwad, helping augment his public image as a crusader who would cut government spending. — Kevin M. Kruse, Esquire, 14 Apr. 2017

  Spendthrift

1. Max was a spendthrift and a heavy gambler.
2. I'm not a spendthrift, although sometimes if I see something on sale, I'll get three because it's a good deal.
3. Free access to additional borrowings can prove a disaster for spendthrifts.
4. In advanced economies, austerity rules, with the wealthiest nations promising to mend their spendthrift ways. — Daniel Gross
5. As spendthrift baby boomers retire, they will endeavor to turn their meager savings into maximum retirement income. — Jonathan Clements

 

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Question of the Day #1321

What Are Blue Tarps Made Of? See What’s Behind the Plastic

From the headline of this article at Protect Preserve Roofing.

  上記の文で、blue tarpの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "blue tarp" 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：
Tarpは、tarpaulinの略で英辞郎によると、

防水布、防水シート◆可算

一般的に、アメリカでは屋根が水漏れする場合等に使用されます。従って、blue tarpは日本で「ブルーシーツ」と呼ばれる養生シーツです。
ちなみに、YouTubeのこのビデオによると、英語でblue sheetは下記のような意味があります。

1. 金融用語として、アメリカではブローカーが顧客の取引を実行するときに使用する青い申請書。インサイダー取引等を塞ぐために使用されます。
2. 米国の営業・マーケティング分野では、戦略的企画書です。営業マンが潜在顧客に対してどのように対応するかを考えるための「道具」です。
3. この他に、青い紙に印刷された公式申請書の呼び名の場合があります。

従って、アメリカで日本でいう「ブルーシーツ」を決してblue sheetと呼んではダメです。

 

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary a tarpaulin is defined as:

1. Material, such as waterproofed canvas, used to cover and protect things from moisture.
2. A sheet of this material.

So, a blue tarp is a blue-colored tarpaulin.

Examples

1. What does a blue tarp on a house mean?
2. The blue tarp is a common sight on roofs after hurricanes and tropical storms, especially in Florida.
3. But if you zoom in on any neighborhood, you can see at least half a dozen houses with blue tarps held down with straps or bricks (so not just blue tile roofs).
4. Every time severe weather hits Livingston Parish, a familiar sight emerges: blue tarps flapping across rooftops.
5. A blue tarp is a quick, temporary barrier that keeps rain and debris out of your home until permanent repairs are made.

   

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Question of the Day #1320

Maryland residents keep tabs on loved ones in path of Hurricane Melissa

From the title of this video clip at YouTube.

  上記の文で、keep tabs onの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "keep tabs 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。
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. 〔物事の状態・状況を〕管理する、定期的にチェックする
2. 〔人の状態を〕監視する、把握する

   

Answer

According to the Cambridge Dictionary:

to watch something or someone carefully

 

Examples

1. I like to keep tabs on my bank account so that I don't spend too much.
2. It can be used to keep tabs on your keys or even your pet. — L.a. Hubilla, Peoplemag, 22 Aug. 2023
3. The paper does more than probe the past or keep tabs on the local felines. — Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 24 July 2023
4. Once aboard the plane, the keepers will be able to keep tabs on the pandas and feed them bamboo and other treats. — Michael E. Ruane, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2023
5. The unit comes with a humidity sensor to keep tabs on the moisture level in your home. — Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Dec. 2023

   

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Question of the Day #1319

Rob49 Hypes Up His Girl On "I Swear To God"

From the headline of this article at HNHH.

  上記の文で、I swear to Godの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "I swear to God" 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：
英辞郎によると、

神に懸けて誓います。

上記のように訳すことができますが、下記英語の定義にあるように文字通りの意味より強調のために使う言葉です。  

Answer

According to the Cambridge Dictionary:

used for emphasis

 

Examples

1. I swear to God (that) I didn't know about it.
2. I swear to God I can do that all day.
3. I pulled a " It was a joke I swear to God".
4. I swear to God I did not graffiti our school.
5. I swear to God they're not mine.

   

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Question of the Day #1318

"We’re all on pins and needles": Birmingham’s Jamaican community braces for hurricane

From the headline of this article at ABC 3340 News.

  上記の文で、on pins and needlesの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "on pins and needles" 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. 《be ～》〔脚などが〕しびれてチクチクしている
2. 《be ～》〔心配・不安などで〕興奮［ハラハラ・そわそわ・ビクビク・やきもき］している、ひやひやする、ピリピリして神経過敏になっている

1番の意味でon pins and needlesが使用された英語を聞いたことがないので、ちょっと怪しいと思います。なので、そのような意味もあるかもしれないと思ってください。

 

Answer

According to Dictionary.com:

In a state of anxiety or tense expectation

 

Examples

1. “Jackie was on pins and needles waiting to hear about her job application.”
2. “Everybody was on pins and needles,” the counselor said at the hearing. Read more on Salon
3. Since Trump’s takeover, Kennedy Center watchers have been on pins and needles about what the schedule might look like. Read more on Los Angeles Times
4. Don’t keep Margaret on pins and needles – give her a call.
5. I think we all have been sitting on pins and needles and anxious for something to happen.

   

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Question of the Day #1317

How to mind your own business

From the headline of this article at NPR.

  上記の文で、mind your own businessの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "mind your own business" 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、

余計な［大きな・いらぬ］お世話です。／人のことに口出しするな。／おまえには関係ない。

   

Answer

According to the Cambridge Dictionary:

used to tell someone in a rude way that you do not want them to ask about something private

 

Examples

1. "Where have you been?" "Mind your own business!"
2. I asked Laura what was wrong and she told me to mind my own business.
3. I wish you'd stop interfering and mind your own business.
4. The idea is but too prevalent in almost every community, that a man has discharged his duties as a citizen, well enough, if he minds his own business and does not meddle with the affairs of his neighbours.
5. I asked her if he'd returned home and she told me to mind my own business.

   

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Question of the Day #1316

Fits like a glove

From the headline of this article at Health & Safety International.

  上記の文で、fits like a gloveの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "fits like a glove" 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、

ぴったり合う

   

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

1. To be perfectly sized for someone, as of an article of clothing. A noun or pronoun can be used between "fit" and "like."
2. To be very suited for someone. A noun or pronoun can be used between "fit" and "like."

 

Examples

1. The alterations turned out great—that gown really fits you like a glove now.
2. That sweater never fit me right, but you look great—it fits you like a glove. Why don't you keep it?
3. She's very shy, so working in a research lab really fits her like a glove.
4. Seldom do I find any pair of shoes that fit me like a glove.
5. I love this song because it fits my mood like a glove.

   

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Question of the Day #1315

In the NEWS: Consumer Drug Ads: All Washed Up?

From the headline of this article at the Lipponcott Nursing Center.

  上記の文で、washed upの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "washed up" 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. 《be ～》〔人が能力的に〕成功の見込みがない、役に立たなくなっている、終わっている、おしまいである
2. 《be ～》〔心身が〕疲れ切っている、ぼろぼろになっている

2番目の訳は、washed outの訳でwashed upの意味ではありません。

 

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

no longer successful, skillful, popular, or needed

 

Examples

1. The tragedy of being a dancer is that you're all washed up by the time you're 35.
2. We are dealing with a washed-up relic of an idea from the last decade that has outlived its usefulness.
3. He ended his career on a dismal losing streak, and was washed-up by age 22.
4. The film, about a group of revolutionaries who reunite to help one of their own — Bob Ferguson, a washed-up, paranoid stoner — rescue his daughter from their longtime enemy, has a lot to say about our fraught, divisive reality. —Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Sep. 2025
5. This is what happened last year when their most significant trade-deadline pickup was washed-up pitcher Lance Lynn, or the year before when their major summer acquisition was strikeout-prone outfielder Joey Gallo. Dodgers Clayton Kershaw returns to the Dodgers. —Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2024

   

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Question of the Day #1314

Unions Run It up the Flagpole

From the headline of this article at the Mackinac Center.

  上記の文で、run it up the flagpoleの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "run it up the flagpole" 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：
このイディオムは、run it up the flagpole and see if anyone salutes itを省略したもので英辞郎によると、

試しに話してみて反応を探る◆【語源】1950年代から1960年初頭にかけて、アメリカでよく使われた表現。◆【直訳】旗ざおに掲げてみて誰か敬礼するかどうかを調べる。

   

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

To test out an idea in order to gauge interest or gain feedback.

 

Examples

1. Run your idea up the flagpole before you pitch it to the boss, so that you don't make a fool of yourself.
2. Before we finalize the marketing strategy, let's run it up the flagpole and see what the team thinks.
3. have a new product idea; I’ll run it up the flagpole at the next meeting.
4. She suggested a new design for the website and wanted to run it up the flagpole before making any changes.
5. They decided to run their budget proposal up the flagpole to see if it would be approved by upper management.

   

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Question of the Day #1313

Big Apple Polisher

From the headline of this article at the New Yorker.

  上記の文で、apple polisherの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "apple polisher" 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】
〈古〉ゴマすり、ご機嫌取り、おべっか使い、おべんちゃら屋、おべんちゃらを言う人、追従者、へいこらするやつ、へつらうやつ、太鼓持ち

   

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

A flatterer. (Apples are a typical gift for teachers.)

 

語源

Wiktionaryによると、

かつてアメリカでこびへつらう生徒が先生にりんごを贈ることがあったとの考えから

 

Etymology

According to Wiktionary:

In reference to the idea of an obsequious child bringing apples to the class teacher.

   

Examples

1. The title character of “Luce” is introduced as a star student and first-rate apple polisher. Read more on New York Times
2. Among Beck’s qualities: he’s young, malleable, fleet, accurate, gung ho, and an apple polisher. Read more on Washington Post
3. That kid is always quick to help the teacher with any little thing—what an apple polisher!
4. Your dad was the furthest thing from an apple-polisher when he was in school. He had detention all the time!
5. Quit being such an apple-polisher, it's not going to get you a better grade or anything.

   

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Question of the Day #1312

‘My job is really to listen’ – Rukhsana Jamal is a people person

From the headline of this article at McMaster News.

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

他人の気持ちをよく分かってくれる人、人付き合いの良い人、社交的な人

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

someone who enjoys being with or talking to other people

 

Examples

1. The adoring columns touting Wu as a people person have already begun. — Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 11 Sep. 2025
2. Rod is a people person, after all, while Leticia is a bit more reserved. — Christopher Kuhagen, Journal Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2024
3. Weidenfeld was also a people person, gifted with irrepressible bonhomie and considerable personal charm. — Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2023
4. I'm a people person and I'm pretty caring towards the people in my charge.
5. What emerged was the picture of a real people person, a man who related easily to officers and enlisted men.

   

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Question of the Day #1311

Out with the old, in with the glizzy

From the headline of this article at Washington Square News.

  上記の文で、glizzyの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "glizzy" 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：
英辞郎にglizzyは掲載されていないので、下記Wiktionaryの訳は、

1. ＜スラング＞Glock社の拳銃
2. ＜米スラング＞ホットドッグ（食べ物）

他の綴りはglizzyとglizz。

 

Answer

According to Wiktionary:

1. (slang) Glock, handgun.
2. (US, slang) Hot dog (food).

 

語源

Wiktionaryによると、

Glock+izzyより（izzyはヒップホップの造語を作る時に用いられる接尾辞）。ホットドッグの意味は、バンズが拳銃の弾倉に似ていることに由来。両意味は、Washington D.C.都市部で初めて使用された。2020年6月・7月ころからインターネットユーザがこのglizzyを使いたいがためにホットドッグの写真と共に投稿し始めた。

 

Etymology

According to Wiktionary:

From Glock +‎ -izzy (suffix forming hip-hop-sounding words). The "hot dog" sense comes from comparison to the extended magazine of a pistol. Both of these senses were ascribed to the Washington metropolitan area until piquing the curiosity of the world in June–July 2020 when internet users endeavoured to upload pictures containing sausage buns just to say the term.

   

Examples

1. "Glizzy means a glock. A Glizzy is a handgun". - “What does “Glizzy” mean?”, DailyRapFacts, 17 July 2020
2. So when we pulled up it was so hard to get in. That bitch was too thick. Everybody and their mammy was out that bitch. I got out the car and tucked my glizzy, zooted. The whole gang started striding toward the line, and I forgot I had a ratchet on […] - Deshawn Rankin, Dirty Hearts, Page Publishing, Inc.
3. I'm going to the store to buy some glizzys for the cookout.
4. Jack: You want a glizzy?
   Ryan: What the hell is a glizzy?
   Jack: A hot dog.
   Ryan: Well why didn't you just say that?
5. “I’m so hungry I could eat a hundred glizzies.”

   

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Question of the Day #1310

Texans' Nick Chubb: Slated to open season as bell cow

From the headline of this article at CBS Sports.

  上記の文で、bell cowの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "bell cow" 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：
おもしろい英文法によると、

bell cow は、「牛、特に群れの先頭の牛で、群れを簡単に見つけられるように首輪に鈴が付いているもの」

上記の定義からスラングで「リーダー」「第一人者」の意で、一般会話（特にスポーツ）等でこの意味で使用される事の方が多い。

 

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

1. a cow with a bell attached to its neck
   especially: a lead cow
2. slang: LEADER

 

Examples

1. It’s difficult to devote both the time and resources to the latter when your bell cow sports program is staggering. - Read more on Seattle Times
2. Without their bell cow, Minnesota saw three running backs and quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis get between 10 and 15 carries apiece. - Read more on Washington Times
3. Running backs coach Kiel McDonald made it clear in the past he prefers to have a bell cow back in place, even if multiple running backs sometimes share the workload during select games. - Read more on Los Angeles Times
4. Miles Sanders over 13.5 rushing attempts: Sanders was the bell cow for the Eagles all season, averaging 15.2 rush attempts per game, and he had 205 more than any other running back. - Read more on Los Angeles Times
5. Visitors to “the new aristocratic suburb” dubbed Palm Place would have found one home, an architectural bell cow, standing in an empty field. - Read more on Los Angeles Times

   

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Question of the Day #1309

EU consultation on digital rules: time to think outside the box

From the headline of this article at Euro News.

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

既成概念［既存の枠組み］にとらわれずに物事を考える、これまでとは全く違った観点で考える［思考する］

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

to explore ideas that are creative and unusual and that are not limited or controlled by rules or tradition

 

Examples

1. To get here, the South African government has had to think outside the box. — Bianca Nogrady, WIRED, 15 Aug. 2023
2. One of the things pandemic isolations have taught us is how to think outside the box. — Gregory Burnett, cleveland, 5 Jan. 2022
3. I've been trying to think outside the box about what I want this term paper to be about. I know the professor hates unoriginal ideas.
4. OK, team, we really need to think outside of the box if we're going to impress the CEO.
5. She goes on to urge companies to think outside the box and challenge the old ways of working.

   

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Question of the Day #1308

FBI agent relieved of duty over refusing Comey perp walk, four people familiar say

From the headline of this article at Reuters.

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

犯罪者の連行［連れ出し・引きまわし］◆警察が逮捕した犯罪容疑者を外に連れ出し、メディアに対して撮影の機会を与えること。

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

the public escorting of an arrested individual (as from a courthouse to a police car) by law enforcement officials

 

Examples

1. Oh, the perp walk: A glorious American tradition in which a person not yet convicted of any crime is paraded handcuffed before the media as an instantly recognizable icon of guilt. — Chris Rovzar
2. … U.S. District Court judge Allen G. Schwartz ruled that the so-called "perp walk" serves no legitimate law enforcement purpose other than to "humiliate" the defendant and "titillate" the public. — David Noack
3. During a perp walk, law enforcement publicly escort a person accused of a crime as they are transported outside a police station or courthouse, usually in view of media cameras. - From BBC
4. Oswald was killed two days later by Dallas nightclub owner Jack Ruby during a perp walk broadcast on live television. - From Los Angeles Times
5. He said it bore similarities to the perp walk of Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber, who killed 168 people in 1995. – From Salon

   

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Question of the Day #1307

Different theorists may have different ideas about where MedBeds came from...but nearly all MedBedders agree that "The Elites" are hiding the technology from us proles, hoarding all the youth and health for themselves.

From the 5th paragraph of this article at Lifehacker.

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

【形・名】
〈侮蔑的〉プロレタリア階級の（人）◆可算◆【語源】proletarian

   

Answer

According to Dictionary.com:

Informal

1. a member of the proletariat.
2. a person who performs routine tasks in a society.

 

Examples

1. In the Roman Empire, the games at the Circus Maximus were an amusement and a distraction, a token to the proles as a substitute for being able to exercise any political power. - From Salon
2. Last year gave us “The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe” with Eddie Marsan as an angry prole who chose to paddle away from society. - From New York Times
3. Nicky Whelan, as the sheriff, is like a prole Angelina Jolie, and the hulking actors who play the prisoners, like Mike Ferguson and Randall J. Bacon, turn them into convincing hardened sinners. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 July 2023
4. We had proles working alongside university types as equals.
5. Superior journalists..would think it Victorian and prole to know shorthand. - ‘H. Calvin’, Chosen Instrument x. 132

   

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Question of the Day #1306

Ramcharger Takes A Belt And Suspenders Approach To Electric Pickup Trucks

From the headline of this article at Clean Technica.

  上記の文で、belt and suspendersの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "belt and suspenders" 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、なぜかbelt and suspendersを掲載していませんが、同義語のbelt and bracesはあります。(bracesは、suspendersの別名) belt and bracesの意味は、

〈比喩〉〔危険を回避するための〕二重対策、念には念を入れた対策

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

involving or employing multiple methods or procedures to achieve a desired result, especially out of caution or fear of failure

 

Examples

1. A small, personal estate-planning company accurately applied belt-and-suspenders thinking when it created an instructional service for insurance salesmen to teach them how to "push" its financial plans. —Mack Hanan, Harvard Business Review, May-June 1976
2. These are belt-and-suspenders kinds of investments. —Thomas P. Murphy, Forbes, 25 Dec. 1978
3. ‘Belt and suspenders’ ordinance regarding a new ski lift ticket tax means most Mountain Village voters will get two separate ballots for the Nov. 4 election.
4. While some cities may be rushing to codify a sanctuary city statute, it could be "a little bit of belt and suspenders," said Attorney General Rob Bonta.
5. “It’s kind of a belt and suspenders approach. We don’t want to wait until anything is necessary. We have to be prepared to implement it if the time arises, and hopefully it won’t,” Schmidt said.

   

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Question of the Day #1305

Maybe it will take a woman, clearly wronged and then ousted from leadership by her own colleagues and leaders in a historic vote, to repair the destruction wrought by Trump and expose the blatant lies of those determined to toady up to him.

From the 5th paragraph of this article at NBC News.

  上記の文で、toady up to (someone)の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "toady up to (someone)" 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、

～の機嫌を取る、～にごまをする

   

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

To attempt to gain or maintain support, approval, or advantage from one through fawning, flattery, or other such sycophantic behavior.

 

Examples

1. That sniveling twerp is always toadying up to the boss.
2. Plenty of people toady up to her now that she's become so wealthy and powerful.
3. I'll be completely honest, I watched it with a mixture of curiosity and cringe, which is why I'll never be a diplomat as I wouldn't be able to toady up to people I don't really like very much - which is also why I wouldn't make a good pub landlady, or so my husband tells me!
4. He defended his decision shortly after the initial outcry from staff that it was based on him trying to toady up to Trump.
5. The biotech millionaire accused the other candidates of trying to toady up to front-runner Donald Trump and of failing to see who the “real enemy” is.

   

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Question of the Day #1304

Channing Tatum prays Marvel makes a 'Gambit' solo film: 'From your lips to God's ears'

From the headline of this article at Marca.

  上記の文で、from your lips to God's earsの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "from your lips to God's ears" 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：
英語Todayによると、

“From your lips to God’s ears.”という表現を直訳すると、「あなたの唇から神様の耳へ」という意味になりますが、ここから、「あなたの唇から出た言葉が神様の耳に届きますように。（そして、神様がその願いをかなえてくれますように）」という意味合いで、「願いがかなうといいね」とか「そうなるといいね」などという意味です。

リンク先にさらに深い説明がありますので、ぜひ読んでみてください。
ただ、上記の説明の中には、下記英語の定義2にある意味が含まれていません。その意味は、「今言った（これから言う）ことは、本当です」。つまり、自分が言った言葉が真実だと念を押すときにも使います。（例文4と5）

 

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

1. Said to emphasize one's hope that a prayer will come true.
2. Said to emphasize the veracity of what one is saying.

 

Examples

1. Please, from my lips to God's ears, let us win this championship match!
2. A: "I'm on my knees praying every day that he will pull through." B: "From your lips to God's ear."
3. "I wish for peace on Earth." "From your lips to God's ears!"
4. From my lips to God's ear, I did not commit that crime!
5. From my lips to God's ear, I will help your campaign at the first opportunity.

   

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Question of the Day #1303

Scott McTominay has admitted that it was a "big decision" for him to leave Manchester United, but has acknowledged that he must "look out for number one" and has "no regrets" over joining Napoli.

From the lede of this article at Sports Mole.

  上記の文で、look out for number oneの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "look out for number one" 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、

自分の利益を追求する、わが身のことだけを考える、手前勝手である、自分本位である

   

Answer

According to the Cambridge Dictionary:

to do what you think is best for yourself and not care about other people

 

Examples

1. My priority is to look after number one–to create a lifestyle I am happy with.
2. Looking out for number one is Barbara's first priority.
3. We manoeuvre in the world constantly looking out for Number One.
4. We don't want a senator who's (only/always) looking out for number one.
5. It doesn't make you a selfish person if you look out for number one from time to time.

   

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Question of the Day #1302

After 475 arrests at Georgia jobsite, feds vow more raids

From the headline of this article at Yahoo! Finance.

  上記の文で、jobsiteの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "jobsite" 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. 〔仕事の〕現場
2. 《イ》求人サイト

英辞郎は「〔仕事の〕現場」としていますが、この意味は稀です。ほとんどの場合、「工事現場」を意味します。同意語は、worksiteです。また、job siteと書くこともあります。

 

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

the area used in carrying on a job (as of construction)

 

Examples

1. Construction Industry Institute Offers New Jobsite Safety Tools
2. JV places key modular components at $4B DFW airport jobsite
3. Worker sustains 'significant' foot injury at Oak Bay jobsite
4. Associated Builders and Contractors’ 2025 Health and Safety Performance Report reveals how top construction firms reduce jobsite incidents through proven safety practices like new hire orientation, toolbox talks and leadership engagement.
5. “Together, we can build jobsites that are not only productive, but safe and sustainable for everyone involved.”

   

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Question of the Day #1301

Wary 'silver surfers' embrace social media

From the headline of this article at the BBC.

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

シルバーサーファー、インターネット利用頻度の高い高齢者、インターネット利用時間が長い高齢者

「利用頻度の高い高齢者」「利用時間が長い高齢者」となっていますが、英語の定義では単に「インターネットを利用する高齢者」になっています。

 

Answer

According to Dictionary.com:

informal, an older, esp retired, person who uses the internet

 

Examples

1. The research institute has found that in 2012 silver surfers spent 39% more time online than they did eight years earlier.
2. The number of older people becoming ' silver surfers ' by establishing expertise in using new technology is growing fast.
3. The number of older people becoming ' silver surfers ' by establishing expertise in using new technology is growing fast.
4. She also became a ' silver surfer', careering around the internet and buying gifts for her grandchildren. Times, Sunday Times (2018)
5. These days, their properties often come with a study in which silver surfers can keep the computer. Times, Sunday Times (2007)

   

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Question of the Day #1300

People Fight Tooth and Nail to Unionize, but They Shouldn’t Need To

From the headline of this article at Newsweek.

  上記の文で、fight tooth and nailの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "fight tooth and nail" 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、

必死［猛烈］に戦う

   

Answer

According to the Cambridge Dictionary:

to try very hard to get something you want

 

Examples

1. We fought tooth and nail to get the route of the new road changed.
2. "This company which has been here for more than 150 years we will fight tooth and nail to protect and maintain jobs for future generations," he said. From BBC
3. Ms Byrne said she had seen pupils in their final years of secondary school who could "barely read and write" and had had to "fight tooth and nail" to get support for her own child. From BBC
4. We fight tooth and nail to keep this band together because we saw the way that U2 were. From Los Angeles Times
5. “We’ve always had to fight tooth and nail for our place in this world,” the group said in a news release Wednesday. From Seattle Times

   

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