Question of the Day #1247

It would have presented him the perfect opportunity in the name of an emergency to cut off any financial spigot that didn't tickle his fancy or finance his family affairs.

From the 2nd paragraph of this article at Newsweek.

  上記の文で、tickle someone's fancyの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "tickle someone's fancy" 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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Question of the Day #1246

Can the Grey Rock Method Protect You From Toxic Behavior?

From the headline of this article at Very Well Mind.

  上記の文で、grey rock methodの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "grey rock method" 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：
Goong.comによると、

グレー・ロック・メソッドは、主に人間関係の中で、特に毒性のある人々（たとえば、虐待的なパートナーなど）との接触を最小限にするための対処法の一つです。具体的には、自分の感情を抑え、反応を示さず、無関心を装うことで相手の興味を失わせる技術です。

Grey rockingと言うこともあり、またgrey rockで動詞になります。

 

Answer

According to Medical News Today:

Gray rocking, or the grey rock method, is a tactic some people use to deal with abusive or manipulative behavior. It involves becoming as uninteresting and unengaged as possible so that the other person loses interest.

 

語源

Goong.comによると、

このメソッドは、「グレー」という言葉が「中立的で目立たない」色を指していることから来ています。また、「ロック」とは「岩」を表し、安定していて動かないことを意味します。すなわち、「目立たない岩のように振る舞う」ことを示しています。

 

Etymology

According to Wiktionary:

From the idea of a gray rock being an uninteresting object, introduced in 2012 in an article on the Lovefraud website written by the user Skylar.

   

Examples

1. Using the grey rock method might look like avoiding eye contact, giving short answers, and focusing on other things when talking with someone who’s using abuse tactics.
2. The grey rock method is a strategy for protecting yourself from abusive or toxic friends, partners, co-workers, or family members.
3. Though the term “grey rock method” hasn’t been used in much scientific research, grey rock tactics are rooted in behavioral psychology theory — specifically the concept of extinction.
4. The grey rock method can be emotionally and mentally draining for you.
5. While the grey rock method is not a long-term solution for a romantic or other personal relationship, it may help you disengage with that person.

 

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Question of the Day #1245

Why do people nitpick other people?

From the title of this thread at Quora.

  上記の文で、nitpickの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "nitpick" 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. 【自動】細かいことにうるさく言う、あら探しをする、いちいちけちをつける、重箱の隅をようじでほじくる、小うるさい、詮索する◆【語源】シラミ(nit)を拾う(pick)
2. 【名】あら探し

上記に語源が「シラミ(nit)を拾う(pick)」からとなっていますが、そこからnitpickだけではなくpick nitsということもできます。
また、他の変形としてnitpicker（名詞）とnitpicky（形容詞）があります。


 

Answer

According to :

1. intransitive verb
   :to engage in nit-picking
2. transitive verb
   :to criticize by nit-picking

 

Examples

1. You're always nitpicking - it's so annoying!
2. I do not believe that this is nitpicking.
3. Rivals can nitpick details in the paperwork and file challenges that sometimes force elections officials to review hundreds of signatures per candidate. — Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 22 Dec. 2024
4. People are sick of the Biden administration’s excessive overreach, including the intention to hire 87,000 new Internal Revenue Service agents to nitpick every aspect of their lives. — Carol Miller, National Review, 16 Dec. 2024
5. It could have been argued that there was no need to nitpick about the specifics and that the record alone should have been enough. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 13 Dec. 2023

   

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Question of the Day #1244

The 2021 report of the MJA–Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: Australia increasingly out on a limb

From the headline of this article at The Medical Journal of Australia.

  上記の文で、out on a limbの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "out on a limb" 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. 一歩間違えれば落ちてしまう危険な状態で、危険な［不利な］立場［状況］で
2. 〔誰にも助けてもらえず〕独りぼっちの状態で、孤立して

意味は似ていますが、下記英語の1番目の定義の微妙なニュアンスの違いにも注目してほしいと思います。

 

Answer

According to the Cambridge Dictionary:

1. having an opinion that is different from most people's and is unpopular
2. in a situation where something bad could happen to you and you are not well protected

 

Examples

1. She's going out on a limb in criticizing her own party leadership.
2. By failing to address these problems, the report leaves small producers out on a limb.
3. The company overextended itself financially and was soon out on a limb.
4. Next time someone goes out on a limb for you, you might want to respect that," he said, slurring slightly. Gregg Hurwitz THE KILL CLAUSE (2003)
5. She appears to have gone out on a limb that her competitors have wisely refused to follow. The Guardian (2019)

   

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Question of the Day #1243

How does Taylor Swift keep up her Reputation? Pop princess's pals are embroiled in scandal - but star has clever strategy to protect squeaky clean image, expert says

From the headline of this article at the Daily Mail.

  上記の文で、squeaky cleanの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "squeaky clean" 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】キュッキュッと音がするほどきれいに洗った、とても［実に・非常に］きれいな［清潔な］、ピカピカの、高潔な

   

Answer

According to Oxford Learner's Dictionaries:

1. completely clean, and therefore attractive
2. morally correct in every way; that cannot be criticized

 

Examples

1. The new leader was seen as being dynamic and squeaky clean.
2. The image is squeaky-clean, and that makes her ripe for the political future for which she has so ably been prepared. Times, Sunday Times (2008)
3. As South Florida braces for spring-break fever, there are 110 restaurants, bars and food trucks in Broward and Palm Beach countries waiting to greet the touristy deluge with squeaky-clean kitchens. —Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2025
4. At the far end of the resort, a 24-hour squeaky-clean gym with state-of-the-art cardio and weight equipment offers disposable headphones, electrolyte drinks, water, and fresh fruit for grabs. —Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 22 Oct. 2024
5. Pop boy bands, once defined by squeaky-clean images, have evolved into something more authentic and flawed—largely thanks to Payne. —Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024

   

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Question of the Day #1242

Everyone 'Jaywalks,' But Black Pedestrians Are Disproportionately Cited. Will California 'Decriminalize Walking?'

From the headline of this article at LAist.com.

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

【自動】
〈話〉〔交通規則を無視して〕道路を横断する、横断歩道のないところを横切る◆【語源】jay（不注意な人）から。

アメリカでは、州や郡によって違いますが、主に罰金でかなり厳しく取り締まれる行為です。例えば、Los Angelesはかなり厳しい。
名詞はjaywalkingです。  

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

to cross a street carelessly or in an illegal manner so as to be endangered by traffic

 

Examples

1. The police officer warned us not to jaywalk.
2. Most members and employees opt to park on the side of the club instead of trying to jaywalk across the street. — Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
3. More crosswalks were also added, according to the New York Times, to help thwart jaywalking. — Benjamin Preston, Car and Driver, 12 Dec. 2017
4. His actions display his cool lack of regard for authority: he jaywalks, and 'gives the finger' to a taxi that threatens to run him over.
5. Penalties for jaywalking vary by state, and, within a state, may vary by county or municipality.

   

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Question of the Day #1241

When Clance spotted Shereine at his local lunch spot in Toronto, he just had to approach her. For six months, she gave him the cold shoulder.

From the first paragraph of this article at Essence.

  上記の文で、give someone the cold shoulderの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "give someone the cold shoulder" 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、

（人）に冷たい［よそよそしい］態度を取る、（人）に冷たく［よそよそしく・すげなく］する、（人）を冷たく［素っ気なく］あしらう、（人）を冷遇する

   

Answer

According to Wiktionary:

(idiomatic) To snub, resist or reject somebody; to regard somebody distantly.

 

Examples

1. I must have made him angry with my comment. He’s been giving me the cold shoulder ever since I said it.
2. I thought she really liked me, but the next day she gave me the cold shoulder.
3. Investors have been giving the company the cold shoulder for some time.
4. Washington has given the general the cold shoulder.
5. Cinemagoers have been giving the film the cold shoulder.

   

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Question of the Day #1240

Everton To Run The Gauntlet With Premier Leagues December Fixtures

From the headline of this article at LWOS.com.

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

〔さまざまな人・集団・方々から〕批判［攻撃］を受ける、怒りを買う

   

Answer

According to Dictionary.com:

Be exposed to danger, criticism, or other adversity

 

語源

Dictionary.comによると、

このイディオムは1600年代前半からありスウェーデン語の「走路」の意味のgatloppからきたgantlopeに由来しています。もともとは、軍隊の体罰の方法で違反を犯した兵隊は、棒や結び目のある紐を持った二列の兵隊の間を走り、体罰を受けた。

 

Etymology

According to Dictionary.com:

This term, dating from the first half of the 1600s, comes from the word gantlope , which itself comes from the Swedish word gatlopp , for “lane-course.” It referred to a form of military punishment where a man ran between two rows of soldiers who struck him with sticks or knotted ropes.

   

Examples

1. Every day they had to run the gauntlet of hostile journalists on their way to school.
2. Borders are sealed and aid workers must run the gauntlet of checkpoints controlled by warlords.
3. ’He knows what it's like, having to run the gauntlet of those people.' Wood, Ted SNOWJOB (2003)
4. Waitrose has run the gauntlet of disgruntled loyal customers before. From BBC
5. But he added: "My guess is that the drone was launched from far closer in than that, as this would avoid it having to run the gauntlet of much of Moscow's defences." From BBC

   

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Question of the Day #1239

Wrangler® Releases Curated Collection of Vintage and Preloved Denim

From the headline of this article at Business Wire.

  上記の文で、prelovedの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "preloved" 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】〔前所有者に大事に使われていた〕中古の

Pre-lovedと書くこともあります。

 

Answer

According to Dictionary.com:

previously used or owned; secondhand.

 

Examples

1. Wearing preloved clothing carries memory forward and also calls us back. From Los Angeles Times
2. In Glasgow city centre, rails and rails of preloved kid's clothing hang in a huge warehouse run by social enterprise, Apparel Xchange. From BBC
3. The shop above Tenovus Cancer Care stocks hundreds of preloved donated wedding dresses and each sale raises money for the charity. From BBC
4. It sells pre-loved and upcycled clothes and accessories. The Guardian (2018)
5. This gear isn't secondhand - it's 'pre-loved'. Times, Sunday Times (2014)

   

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Question of the Day #1238

Tomorrow’s Needs: Michigan Tech Reaches an Inflection Point

From the headline of this article at Michigan Tech.

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

《数学》変曲点

となっていますが、これは数学的な意味なので、同ページのもう少し下を見ると”at an inflection point”の訳が

《be ～》転換点を迎えている

ということで、一般的にはinflection pointの意味は「転換点」になります。他の英語の熟語ではturning pointがほぼ同じ意味です。  

 

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

1. a moment when significant change occurs or may occur: TURNING POINT
2. mathematics: a point on a curve that separates an arc concave upward from one concave downward and vice versa

 

Examples

1. At 18, Bobby is at an inflection point that will largely determine the course of his life. — Stacy Perman
2. It depends on us, on the choices we make, particularly at certain inflection points in history; particularly when big changes are happening and everything seems up for grabs. — Barack Obama
3. This point in time feels like an inflection point in the world of tech. — 
Byrachyl Jones, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2023
4. The world is waking up to a new inflection point in the war in the middle east. — Nbc Universal, NBC News, 14 Apr. 2024
5. This inflection point comes after a year in which the U.K. at times suffered one of the highest death rates in the world. NBC News, 17 May 2021

   

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Question of the Day #1237

GOP Swears Pete Hegseth Is Clean As A Whistle Ahead Of Confirmation Hearing, And Would They Lie? (Yes.)

From the headline of this article at Wonkette.

  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.

 

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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

このイディオムの対象は三つあります。一つ目は「物」で意味は最初の「全くきれいで・とても清潔で」です。二つ目は「人」で意味は「清廉潔白で」です。三つ目は「事」で意味は「物の見事に・やすやすと」です。詳しくは、下記文例を参照してください。

 

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

1. Completely free of dirt and neat in appearance.
2. Well-behaved and not involved in illegal or questionable activities.
3. Entirely; totally.

 

Examples

1. This house needs to be as clean as a whistle before my mother-in-law gets here.
2. Sometimes, these baths even offer treatments that are aimed at getting visitors clean as a whistle. — Richard Quest, CNN, 8 May 2023
3. You can trust George, he's a good kid—as clean as a whistle.
4. I don't have a criminal record, I'm clean as a whistle.
5. The handle just broke off, clean as a whistle! I can't believe it!

 

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