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。
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、

《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。
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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。
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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。
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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.

 

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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

 

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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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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