Question of the Day #1291

‘I just had the ass’: An appreciation of ‘red ass,’ baseball’s most colorful turn of phrase

From the headline of this article at The Athletic.

  上記の文で、red assの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "red ass" 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、red-assedという形容詞しか掲載されていませんが、その意味は、

〈米・卑俗〉カンカンに怒った

一般的に、red assの意味は Green's Dictionary of Slangによると:

1. (US) いつもイライラしている人・不平を言う人・不機嫌な人
2. 短気・不機嫌、イライラしている
3. お叱り

ところが、問題の見出しの場合は全く別とは言えないが、野球用語でどちらかというと褒め言葉にもなることがあります。 The Baseball Almanacによると、

1. 気が強くて、怒りっぽく、闘志あふれる選手
2. 一生懸命プレイする選手
3. 負けず嫌いの闘志あふれる選手

ところが、褒め言葉として使用することもできますが、逆にいつも審判に対して苦情を言う選手等にも使うこともあります。

 

Answer

According to the Baseball Almanac:

A tough, angry, intense player; a player who plays hard; a raging competitor who hates to lose.

However, it also says, "The term can be complimentary when describing the competitive zeal of a Lou Piniella or Paul O'Neill, but it has also been applied to one who whines and argues with umpires."

Examples

1. The red ass dates back to the days of Babe Ruth, and while a precise definition may be elusive, players know it when they see it.
2. Consistent with the best of profane terms, the usage of red ass is flexible, which adds to its charm. It can describe a player or a coach with a habit of snapping, a defining character trait.
3. For example, a database search reveals a dozen instances of former Mariners slugger Jay Buhner’s name and “red ass” appearing in the same story.
4. “A lot of hard feelings built up, and I’d kept them inside all year. I felt like I had to let it out or it would kill me. I mean, I am the team’s resident red ass.”
5. Of course, red ass can also describe a temporary state of mind: a moment of intense rage or a mood.

   

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Question of the Day #1290

Trump Asked If Putin Is 'Back On The Clock' Amid Ceasefire Stalemate

From the headline of this article at Newsweek.

  上記の文で、on the clockの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "on the clock" 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：
英辞郎では、

1. 時計上で
2. 《be ～》〈話〉勤務時間中である◆【対】off the clock

とありますが、実はon the clockにはもっと多くの意味があります。例えば、Wiktionary.orgでは九つの定義があり、その7番目が例文の正しい訳です。それは、

（主にスポーツのドラフト会議において）時間内に決定・結果を出さなければならない時に注視されている状況

問題文はスポーツのドラフト会議ではありませんが、Trump Asked If Putin Is 'Back On The Clock'は「プーチンは、再び時間内に決定を出さなければならないのか」という意味になります。

 

Answer

According to Wiktionary there are nine definitions of "on the clock":

1. (literally) Displayed on the dial of a clock (timepiece).
2. (idiomatic) Working at one's job; occupied in some manner during one's hours of remunerated employment.
3. (idiomatic) During one's official working hours; in or into a position of remunerated employment.
4. (idiomatic) Of a taxicab, engaged for hire; displayed numerically as time or fare on the meter of a taxicab.
5. (sports) In the official time remaining in a game or other sporting event.
6. (sports) In the official time expired in a game or other sporting event.
7. (chiefly sports drafts) Under scrutiny due to having to make a decision or produce results within a set period of time.
8. (of a motor vehicle) Displayed numerically on the mileage or kilometric gauge.
9. Remunerated per unit of time.

The most appropriate definition for the headline in question would be number 7. Although this definition is for "chiefly sports drafts," the fact that Putin is being put on the clock to make a decision is the same.

 

Examples

1. Brady had 2 minutes on the clock and time outs. He could have tied the game. But he’s not clutch so… — Dalton J (@darealpilsbury) June 20, 2018
2. The Washington Commanders were thrilled that cornerback Trey Amos was still available when they were on the clock at No. 61 overall.
3. Ian Poulter was put on the clock twice, not penalized, but warned about his play, during his second round at the Masters.
4. It sounds like you're starting to rank the players who you feel may be available when you're on the clock—a critical step for owners as draft day approaches.
5. In the last quarter, the basketball team was on the clock to score more points.

   

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Question of the Day #1289

Tuimoala Lolohea 'drowned his sorrows' over frustrations at the Warriors

From the headline of this article at the Stuff.

  上記の文で、drown one's sorrowsの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "drown one's sorrows" 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、

〈俗〉酒で悲しみを紛らす

ちなみに、上記の訳では「酒」になっていますが、今では麻薬や下記例文の2にあるように「ピザ」と「アイスクリーム」等々の場合もあり得ます。

 

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

To attempt to forget one's troubles through the consumption of something, typically alcohol (to which the phrase originally referred).

 

Examples

1. It's not healthy to just drown your sorrows every time a girl breaks up with you. Quit drinking and try to face reality.
2. Whenever I have a hard week at work, I like to spend Friday night drowning my sorrow in pizza and ice cream.
3. Yes, we did lose that big client. That's why  we're going to the bar to drown our sorrows!
4. After the divorce, she took to drowning her sorrows at the local bar.
5. What's the place to go in Vegas to drown one's sorrows after a bad beat? From Forbes

   

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Question of the Day #1288

Don’t let confirmation bias narrow your perspective

From the headline of this article at the News Literacy Project.

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

《a ～》《心理学》確証バイアス◆自分の信念や思い込みが正しいかどうかを判断するための情報を集める際に、自分の信念に反する（または自分にとって都合の悪い）情報を無視する傾向。

   

Answer

According to the Cambridge Dictionary:

the fact that people are more likely to accept or notice information if it appears to support what they already believe or expect

 

Examples

1. Investigators said that the pilots' behaviour was a classic example of confirmation bias, the act of only seeing evidence supporting their preconceptions.
2. To know if you have any confirmation bias tendencies, ask yourself, “How often do I look for signs that I may be wrong in my analysis?”
3. To Jake Scott, an infectious disease expert at Stanford Medical School who painstakingly examined the agency’s data citations, they point to “textbook confirmation bias”—the quest for information that confirms someone’s preexisting beliefs. From Los Angeles Times
4. Work I was involved in has shown that people who are dispositionally ambivalent — that is, who are more comfortable holding contradictory thoughts or feelings — are less prone to cognitive biases like the confirmation bias. From Salon
5. He argued in a social media post that Latino politicians were using the term “to appease white rich progressives who think that is the term we use. It is a vicious circle of confirmation bias.” From Los Angeles Times

   

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Question of the Day #1287

As a Platonist, Sternberg Is NOT Out on a Limb by Himself — At All

From the headline of this article at Science & Culture Today.

  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。
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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. 枝先に身を乗り出して
2. 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
3. 〔誰にも助けてもらえず〕独りぼっちの状態で、孤立して

いつものように、英辞郎は直訳を一番目に掲載していますが、イディオムである2番目と3番目の訳はそれに基づいています。

 

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. The uninsured aren't left entirely out on a limb - you will be always treated for medical crises at hospital emergency rooms.
3. By failing to address these problems, the report leaves small producers out on a limb.
4. Better to have politicians and experts who study the pressing issues of the day and go out on a limb rather than shrug their shoulders. From Los Angeles Times
5. One person I was struck by was Sen. Chris Van Hollen when he went to El Salvador; putting people first and trying something that he had no idea whether this was going to help at all, but he was willing to go out on a limb like that. From Salon

   

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Question of the Day #1286

Pearly whites at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam: Brightening smiles and spirits

From the headline of this article at the 15th Wing website.

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

白い歯

下記、Merriam-Webster辞書の定義でわかるように、ただの「歯」の意味もあります。
また、"Show your pearly whites."のように使うと、比喩的に「笑顔を見せなさい」という意味になります。

 

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

teeth

 

Examples

1. He grinned, showing his pearly whites.
2. Celebrities know that a good set of pearly whites is essential.
3. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck did more than just flash their pearly whites on Monday night. — Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 13 June 2023
4. Kids learn how to follow instructions, as well as best practices for brushing and flossing the real pearly whites in their mouths. — Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 8 Nov. 2023
5. An ancient Egyptian recipe for teeth cleanser relies on "salt, pepper, mint, and dried iris flower" to keep the pearly whites pearly white, while medieval Britons relied on "honey, salt, and rye flour." From Salon

   

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Question of the Day #1285

Zillennials Can't Afford to Buy Homes. So What?

From the headline of this article at Popsugar.com.

  上記の文で、Zillennialsの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "Zillennials" 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：
Zillennialsを解説している日本語のHPの多くが個人のものだったり、曖昧なものなので、下記英語のDictionary.comの定義の訳をみます。

1990年代前半から後半の間に特にアメリカで生まれた人。Millennial世代とZ世代の間に生まれたマイクロ世代（ある世代の末期から次の世代の初期の数年間に生まれた人）。

  さらに、MediumのGeneration Guide: Zillennialsがもっとはっきりした定義をしている。

Zillennialとは、1993年から1998年の間に生まれた新しく定義されたマイクロ世代。

ただし、他の出典からは違う期間が提示されていることに留意してください。
なお、ZillennialはMillennialとGeneration Zからできた混成語で、別のZennialという呼び方もあります。

Answer

According to Dictionary.com:

a person born between the early 1990s and late 1990s, especially in the United States; a member of the microgeneration between Millennials and Generation Z.

  Additionally, Medium's Generation Guide: Zillennials defines it more clearly as:

Born between 1993 and 1998 is a newly identified micro-generation, Zillennials.

However, it should be noted that other sources cite different years.

Examples

1. Zillennials code-switch between generations, have high levels of digital literacy, and are more likely to self-identify into a minority group.
2. Too Old For Gen Z, Too Young For Millennials: Life As A Confused Zillennial
3. Growing up during the crossover from analogue to digital, zillennials are a product of a changing world, experiencing old and new in quick succession.
4. The zillennial's defining trait might be a constant state of identity crisis but according to a series of Reddit forums, the determining factor seems to come down to whether or not you remember 9/11.
5. Zillennials need to be mindful of their digital footprint as their social media activity can have long-term implications on their personal and professional lives.

   

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Question of the Day #1284

Soggy June a wet blanket for cottagers, business owners in Gimli

From the headline of this article at the CBC.

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

《a ～》場をしらけさせる人［物］、楽しい雰囲気に水を差す人

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

one that quenches or dampens enthusiasm or pleasure

 

語源

英辞郎によると、

wet blanketとは、水を含ませたぬれ毛布のことで、火事になったときに炎に覆いかぶせて火を消すために使用する。そこから、パーティーなどが（炎が燃え上がるように）盛り上がっているときに、wet blanketを覆いかぶせるように、場をしらけさせる人のことをいうようになった。

 

Etymology

According to the Online Etymology Dictionary:

"person who has a dispiriting effect," by 1830, from the notion of a person who throws a damper on social situations in the way a wet blanket smothers a fire (the phrase is attested in this literal sense from 1660s)

   

Examples

1. The effect this had on Drake’s diss was like throwing a wet blanket on a raging fire. — Hazlitt, 30 May 2024
2. And look, Covid is a big, wet blanket thrown over the attitudes of Americans. — NBC News, 9 Jan. 2022
3. Some might think this seems like party poopers that want to place a wet blanket over some good-natured fun. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 26 Aug. 2022
4. The title character, named Cassandra Webb and played by Dakota Johnson, is a wet blanket possessing few social skills and negligible personal warmth. From Seattle Times
5. She said she knows people at work roll their eyes and maybe think she’s kind of a wet blanket with all of her hand-wringing about plastic waste. From Los Angeles Times

   

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"What the World Needs Now is Love/Abraham, Martin and John" Medley

I didn't know about this version of this medley that starts with Barak Obama.
このメドレーのオリジナルは1971年に発表されたのですが、オバマ元大統領の言葉で始まるバージョンの存在を初めて知りました。

Question of the Day #1283

Artist finds poetry in motion

From the headline of this article at The Guardian.

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

〈比喩〉優美なしぐさ［身ぶり・動き］

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

someone or something that moves in a way that is very graceful or beautiful

 

Examples

1. The woman was like poetry in motion as she seemed to glide across the dance floor.
2. For upland bird hunters, witnessing the mesmerizing poetry in motion embodied in the work of great dogs is the main attraction of the pursuit. — Chris Dorsey, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
3. Songs of the Bulbul is a perfect fit for Shankar’s theme of New Dawn and at its centre is a passionate dance performance that unfolds like poetry in motion. — Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
4. Watching the mill operator slicing through logs is noisy poetry in motion. — Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 20 Apr. 2024
5. In flight, these massive birds are poetry in motion. — Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Dec. 2023

   

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Icbiro's Number Retirement Ceremony Including His Speechイチローの背番号の永久欠番式典

Question of the Day #1282

Peter Bedford MP asks Government to do right by pensioners impacted by Fuel Payment cuts!

From the headline of this article at PeterBedford.uk.

  上記の文で、do right by ~の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "do right by ~" 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）を正当［公平］に扱う、（人）を正当に評価する、（人）にきちんと対応する、（人）のために正しいことをする

   

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

To act, speak, or behave in a way that is just, beneficial, or respectful to someone else.

 

Examples

1. The best employers ensure they do right by their employees first and foremost.
2. I don't know what I'm supposed to do in this situation, I'm just trying to do right by you.
3. Yet, his strong moral character and mission to do right by others drive her everyday decisions. — Dominique Fluker, Essence, 23 June 2023
4. Make no mistake: the Sky are finally taking steps to do right by their players because the owners of the Las Vegas Aces, New York Liberty and Seattle Storm are forcing them to. — Nancy Armour, USA TODAY, 26 May 2023
5. Yet Manchin seems to be one of the few Democrats who recognizes the danger of passing the bill and is endeavoring to do right by the public. — Tarren Bragdon, National Review, 11 Oct. 2021

   

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Question of the Day #1281

ADELL SHAY: Why pitch a fit over the weather?

From the headline of this article at the Pasadena Star-News.

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

カンカンに怒る、カッとなる

Throw a fitということもできます。
この場合のfitは、〔感情の突然の〕爆発、噴出、発作になります。


   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

to become very upset and angry in a loud and uncontrolled way

 

Examples

1. Tony Duarte Deckhand Below Deck Season 10 — Curly-haired and hot bodied, Tony would pitch a fit whenever his job would get in the way of his workout routine. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2024
2. My mom's going to pitch a fit when she sees what happened to the car!
3. I was so embarrassed when Danny started pitching a fit in the grocery store.
4. She usually pitches a fit when her boyfriend forgets to pick her up.
5. Rose is pitching a fit because someone has left a scratch on her car.

   

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Question of the Day #1280

Rexford Industrial Is Still A Diamond In The Rough

From the headline of this article at Seeking Alpha.

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

1. 《a ～》ダイヤモンドの原石
2. 《a ～》〈比喩〉〔ダイヤの原石のように〕磨けば光る人◆トレーニングや経験を積むことによって能力をもっと高められる人
3. 《a ～》〈比喩〉見かけよりは性格の良い人、見た目は武骨［不作法］だけど本当は良い人

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

one having exceptional qualities or potential but lacking refinement or polish

 

Examples

1. But the personnel department — shout out to them — kind of found a diamond in the rough. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025
2. Colorado, hoping for a diamond in the rough, selected him with the 1,143rd overall pick. — Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 18 May 2025
3. Both albums are fantastic, but this one is the true diamond in the rough for my money. — Liza Lentini, SPIN, 21 Feb. 2025
4. “Her singing voice is beautiful, but she needs help with her gestures; she's a diamond in the rough.”
5. "We try to find those diamonds in the rough… those undervalued artists and give them a platform to shine," says Mr Desai. From BBC

   

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Question of the Day #1279

No Matter How you Slice it, It’s Tough to Shake First Tee Anxiety

From the headline of this article at Tee Time Golf Pass.

  上記の文で、no matter how you slice itの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "no matter how you slice it" 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no matter how you slice itは掲載されていませんが、ほぼ同じanyway you slice itの意味は、

どのように考えてみても

 

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

used to say that the truth of a statement is not changed or affected by the way a situation is thought about or described

 

Examples

1. Losing is disappointing no matter how you slice it.
2. No matter how you slice it, he's still guilty of perjury.
3. The directions are simple, but you can freestyle — I opted for handrolls instead, but no matter how you slice it, the sushi tastes pretty good and makes the perfect stoner date night. From Salon
4. I think it’s so difficult no matter how you slice it, that you might as well be fighting for something. From Los Angeles Times
5. No matter how you slice it, they are guilty of fiscal mismanagement. From Seattle Times

   

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