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。
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、

〈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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