Question of the Day #1221

Japan automakers whistling past graveyard as Trump tariffs threaten trade partners  

From the headline of this article at the Automotive News.

  上記の文で、whistle past (the) graveyardの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "whistle past (the) graveyard" 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：
RedKiwi英語大全によると、

実際には怖い状況や危険な状況で、落ち着いて、または陽気に振る舞うことを意味します。

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

to act or talk as if one is relaxed and not afraid when one is actually afraid or nervous

 

Examples

1. Despite the looming deadline, she was whistling past the graveyard and pretending everything was fine.
2. The politician's speech was full of empty promises, just whistling past the graveyard to appease the crowd
3. I'm holding out hope that we can win this lawsuit, but I might be just whistling past the graveyard.
4. John’s insistence on ignoring his health problems was like whistling past the graveyard—avoiding the reality that his actions could have consequences.
5. As New Orleans managed to sidestep a series of devastating storms that had borne down on the city in the years before Katrina, the response of government at all levels was essentially to whistle past the graveyard. —Adolph Reed Jr., The New Republic, 27 Apr. 2021

   

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