Question of the Day #1378

Majority of Canadians would pay under the table cash to avoid sales tax: survey

From the headline of this article at Global News.

  上記の文で、pay under the tableの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "pay under the table" 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）に賄賂［袖の下］を払う［与える］

Pay under the tableは「非合法的」なお金の渡し方に間違いありませんが、「賄賂」と限りません。どちらかというと「裏金」の方が適訳です。例えば、問題の見出しの場合は、「統計によると、カナダ人の大多数は、売上税を回避するために裏金で現金払いを好む」になります。

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

To give a worker payment that is not officially documented and has not been taxed.

 

Examples

1. Because the restaurant pays me under the table, no taxes come out of my paycheck.
2. I don't have a visa to work in this country, so I've been nannying for a family who pays me under the table.
3. How should an employer respond to an employee that wants to be paid under the table?
4. However, he asked if he could get paid under the table to save us both a bit of $$.
5. Is being paid under the table a good thing or a bad thing?

   

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Question of the Day #1377

Hold fast: How a nautical phrase inspired the motto of our times

From the headline of this article at CBC.com.

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

【句動】

1. 〔～に〕しがみつく
2. 〔～を〕固守する
3. 〔～を〕堅持する
4. 〔色が〕あせない

   

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

1. To remain securely adhered (to something).
2. To remain determined, stalwart, and unyielding, as in one's position or opinion.

 

Examples

1. He held fast to his principles.
2. No, tape won't hold fast in this case—you need to use a stronger adhesive.
3. Though it may be hard, we must hold fast in our pledge to environmental reform.
4. I've held fast to my principles my whole life, and I don't intend to compromise them now with your gang of thugs!
5. ”The strikers held fast at Hicks’s mines, but world events intervened.”
Fannie Never Flinched by Mary Cronk Farrell

   

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Question of the Day #1376

Team USA’s militarism is a big bummer in an otherwise incredible WBC tournament

From the headline of this article at Royals Review.

  上記の文で、bummerの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "bummer" 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. 〈話〉嫌な［がっかりする］こと［出来事・体験］、不愉快なこと［出来事・体験・状態・時間］、残念なこと、失望、失敗（作）、駄作
2. 〈米話〉怠け者

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

1.              
   1. an unpleasant experience
   2. something that is unpleasant or disappointing
2. FAILURE, FLOP

 

Examples

1. All this goodwill and success are a huge bummer for Jessi’s current husband, Jordan. — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
2. People thought the script was a bummer. — Brent Lang, Variety, 11 Mar. 2026
3. Still, the creators and the cast didn’t want the revival to feel like a bummer. — Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2023
4. "I've left my wallet at home." "What a bummer!"
5. Are we to believe that one of pop’s bright new stars was once … kind of a bummer? From Los Angeles Times

   

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Question of the Day #1375

With a finish in the top three of an event required to punch one's ticket to the Tokyo Olympics, some Hokies will look to either take a well-deserved rest this summer or continue training at the professional level.

From the 5th paragraph of this article at HokieSports.com.

  上記の文で、punch one’s ticketの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "punch one’s ticket" 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：
Punch one’s ticketの和訳は、ほとんどありませんがえいご1日1語にありました。推測で説明しているので、途中までそれなりですが、問題文の意味まで辿り着いていません。
そこで、下記のThe Free Dictionaryの定義を訳すと、

1. 文字どおりの意味は、特にバスや汽車に乗車する時、運賃を払っていることを証明するために切符に改札鋏等で切ってもらうこと。
2. 1番の定義の延長の意味として、（とくに競技等において）前進するために何らかのアクションを起こすこと。

問題文の場合は、この2番の訳が適切です。

 

Answer

  According to The Free Dictionary:

1. Literally, to punch a hole in or otherwise mark one's ticket, especially for a bus or train, to show they have paid the fare to ride.
2. By extension, to perform an action that allows one to proceed, especially in a competition.

 

Examples

1. With a win tonight, they will punch their ticket to the tournament.
2. If this deal goes through, you'll have punched your ticket to the corner office.
3. She has punched her ticket to her second Olympics Games.
4. You have punched your ticket to the final round with this win.
5. In scoring 13 points, they punched their ticket to the Super Bowl in Jacksonville.

   

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Question of the Day #1374

$48M ‘boondoggle’ set to be killed by N.J. gov. ‘Not good enough,’ she says.

From the headline of this article at NJ.com.

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

【名・自動】
〈米話〉〔多大な労力・時間・金を費やす〕無駄［無意味］な仕事［活動・計画・公共事業］（を行う）

ただし、上記の訳に下記英語にある大事な部分が含まれていません。それは、often involving graftつまり「しばしば収賄を伴う」の部分です。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

a wasteful or impractical project or activity often involving graft

 

Examples

1. Is high-speed rail a valuable addition to infrastructure, or a boondoggle?
2. Republicans called the plan a boondoggle and a drain on federal highway funds.
3. The senator called the new highways proposal "a fraud and a boondoggle that the taxpayer should not tolerate."
4. Why: In a state known for its outlandish mansions, this is the boondoggle that set the standard. — Christopher Reynolds, latimes.com, 21 May 2017
5. The judges were not somebody’s nephew on a boondoggle but were, for the most part, their countries’ best legal minds. — Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2023

   

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Question of the Day #1373

COLUMN: People going bananas for baby macaque online

From the headline of this article at OrilliaMatters.

  上記の文で、go bananasの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "go bananas" 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. 〈俗〉頭がおかしくなる、気が狂う◆【語源】バナナを目の前に出されたサルが騒ぐ様子から◆【参考】go ape
2. 〈俗〉熱狂する、怒り狂う
3. 〈俗〉〔機械などが〕駄目になる、いかれる

   

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

1. To become irrational or crazy.
2. To express great excitement about something in an exuberant manner.

 

Examples

1. I'll end up going bananas if I have to work in this cubicle for one more day!
2. The kids are going to go bananas when we tell them about the trip.
3. Confession: I don’t always go bananas for depictions of food in art, but April brings a smattering of excellent and tasty shows. From Seattle Times
4. “Yet it’s not cluttered up; it’s streamlined and simple. Whatever we did was going to be seen in that opening shot of the train going through Asteroid City, so we couldn’t go bananas and let any part of it get too big and out of control.” From Los Angeles Times
5. Students are going bananas over the lack of options available in the cafeteria for lunch.

   

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Question of the Day #1372

Scoot and shoot the breeze for charity

From the headline of this article at defense.gov.au.

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

〈米話〉おしゃべりする、無駄話をする、油を売る◆【直訳】口から風を吹く

   

Answer

According to Dictionary.com:

Talk idly, chat

 

語源

Wiktionaryによると、

1919年に初めて記録されたスラングで、風に向かって話すことを意味する。

 

Etymology

According to Wiktionary:

A slang phrase, alluding to talking into the wind, it was first recorded in 1919.

   

Examples

1. They've been sitting on the porch for hours, just shooting the breeze.
2. We were just standing around shooting the breeze.
3. 1999, The Ninth Gate (motion picture), spoken by Dean Corso (Johnny Depp):
   Listen, I came here to do some business, not shoot the breeze. If you want to expound your personal philosophies, write another book.
4. Catch him after practice and he’s happy to shoot the breeze with a smile on his face. From Seattle Times
5. “It felt like they were just shooting the breeze,” recalled Robinson Chavez, whose aching black-and-white photos anchored the series. From Los Angeles Times

   

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Question of the Day #1371

Coups, colonialism and all that jazz: the film that unravels extraordinary cold war truths

From the headline of this article at the Guardian.

  上記の文で、and all that jazzの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "and all that jazz" 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、

～などなど、～とかいろいろ、それに類したもの

   

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

And everything else; and many related things.

 

Examples

1. They sell televisions and radios and all that jazz.
2. I’m fed up with work, meetings, and all that jazz.
3. Yeah, bring in the candy bars, the cookies, and all that jazz.
4. If we're going to paint this weekend, we need rollers, drop cloths, and all that jazz.
5. My sister is involved in so many extracurricular activities—student council, Model UN, the literary magazine, and all that jazz.

   

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Question of the Day #1370

Have an itch to go for a nature walk? Watch for poison ivy on the paths

From the headline of this article at Bradford Today.

  上記の文で、have an itchの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "have an itch" mean?

  答えは、コメントに書いてください。

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

1. かゆみがある
2. 〔～を欲して〕ウズウズする

問題文の意味は、2番目に訳になります。
なお自動詞の場合、itchだけでも「〔～を〕欲しくてたまらない、〔～したくて〕ウズウズする」の意味があります。  

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary "have an itch for (something)" means:

To have an interest in or desire to do something.

 

Examples

1. He has an itch (= desire) to travel.
2. I have an itch to study abroad.
3. I have an itch for another road trip, but I'm not sure where to go.
4. If you're starting to have an itch for acting again, then you should get back on stage.
5. Every so often, I have an itch for a slower, quieter life in the country.

   

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Question of the Day #1369

Family's chicken lays 'ginormous egg' 3 times the normal size

From the headline of this article at Fox News.

  上記の文で、ginormousの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "ginormous" 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】
〈俗〉とてつもなく大きい◆【語源】gigantic + enormous

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

extremely large : HUMONGOUS

 

Examples

1. Buffett was known to sit on ginormous piles of cash at Berkshire, waiting for the right opportunity to invest. — Luciana Lopez, CNN Money, 31 Dec. 2025
2. Yes, the door is ginormous, to say the least, and appears to be rather heavy, if judged by the photos. — Tj MacIas, Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 2025
3. Step right up, folks, and feast your eyes on the most ginormous, the most humongous phone known to man! — David Pierce, WSJ, 19 Aug. 2018
4. Billie ate his way through a ginormous ice cream sundae.
5. It will probably reach something like £50 million before the task is finished, which is a ginormous sum.

   

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Question of the Day #1368

'Willy-Nilly'—Singapore Defense Minister Says The US Is No Longer A Stabilizing Force, But A 'Landlord Seeking Rent'

From the headline of this article at Yahoo! Finance.

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

【副】

1. いや応なしに、有無を言わせずに
2. 手当たり次第に、ずさんに、きちんと計画されないで、行き当たりばったりに

【形】

1. なかなか決心できない、決断力のない、ためらう、優柔不断の
2. なかなか決心できない、決断力のない、ためらう、優柔不断の
3. いや応なしの、好むと好まざるとに関わらない、有無を言わせない

   

Answer

According to :

adverb or adjective

1. by compulsion : without choice
2. in a haphazard or spontaneous manner

 

Examples

1. Move, but don’t run willy-nilly or blindly follow a crowd. — Marissa Vonesh, Washington Post, 29 Aug. 2023
2. And yet, Indiana Jones isn’t a franchise to rewrite canon willy-nilly. — Vulture, 30 June 2023
3. Bubbly is also one of those few things that should never be ordered willy-nilly. — Jeff Burkhart, Mercury News, 14 May 2025
4. These men who were thrown together willy-nilly by the Army had nothing in common.
5. She threw her clothes willy-nilly into a drawer.

   

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Question of the Day #1367

Getting all your ducks in a row, or in this case, your crops

From the headline of this article at Reuters.

  上記の文で、one's ducks in a rowの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "one's ducks in a row" 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get one's ducks in a rowの意味は、

〈話〉準備を整える、きちんと［万全の］準備をする、お膳立てをする

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster "one's ducks in a row" is defined as:

used figuratively in phrases like have one's ducks in a row, get one's ducks in a row, or put one's ducks in a row to describe being or becoming thoroughly organized

   

Examples

1. The government needs to get its ducks in a row.
2. Wouldn't it be nice to have our ducks in a row and not have to search for the papers every time we needed them?
3. I was sure I had all of my ducks in a row before the event finally arrived. Somehow, it didn't turn out as planned. —Jerry Carlson
4. Her program's 10-week curriculum … uses a budget book to help first-timers get their financial ducks in a row. —Eileen Jenkins
5. They should have had their ducks in a row beforehand, so they were ready to start the job when required.

   

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Question of the Day #1366

Time-on-task and instructions help humans to keep up with AI: replication and extension of a comparison of creative performances

From the headline of this article at Nature.com.

  上記の文で、time-on-task (time on task)の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "time-on-task/time on task" 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：
英辞郎等の日本語サイトにこの用語が掲載されていないので、下記Trymataの定義を訳します。

Time on taskとは、個人が特定の仕事や活動に積極的に取り組んでいる時間を指します。教育、生産性研究、ユーザーエクスペリエンス研究など、様々な分野でパフォーマンス指標としてよく用いられます。

非常に簡単に言えば「実働時間」と言うことになりますが、分野によってはもっと広がりがあるようです。

 

Answer

According to Trymata:

Time on Task refers to an individual actively engaging in a specific task or activity. It is often used as a performance metric in various fields, including education, productivity studies, and user experience research.

 

Examples

1. Time-on-task refers to the amount of time students spend actively engaged in learning activities. This concept is crucial for effective classroom management, as maximizing time-on-task can lead to improved student performance and behavior.
2. Higher levels of time-on-task correlate with better academic outcomes, as students who are engaged in learning are more likely to grasp and retain information.
3. By comparison, terms like "time on task" are refreshingly straightforward. Unlike jargon, it’s not just a buzzword; it’s a meaningful performance metric that tells you exactly what you want to know: how much time is spent actively working on a specific task. 
4. Initially devised as a personal learning aid by J.B. Carroll in 1963, the time on task methodology has fast become a workplace staple. 
5. In essence, "Time on task" is a strategy for dedicating focused blocks of times to certain tasks.

   

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Question of the Day #1365

Proof of Concept Proposals due Jan. 23, 2026

From the headline of this article at Virginia Tech News.

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

概念実証、コンセプトの証明◆【略】POC◆前臨床試験から予測した開発コンセプトをヒトで確認すること。

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

something that demonstrates the feasibility of a concept (such as a product idea or a business plan)

 

Examples

1. Even if it succeeds, the $5.9 billion reactor will be just a proof of concept, with commercial fusion power still decades away. — Corey S. Powell
2. Malware and virus-writing used to be something hobbyist hackers did for fun, as proofs of concept. Not anymore. — Mat Honan
3. No invention is worth anything without the proof-of-concept prototype. — Shintaro Asano
4. The plan is to use the shoot a proof of concept for a feature film production. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2025
5. But the current system serves as a proof of concept for the novel design. — Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 5 Aug. 2024

   

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Question of the Day #1364

How to Choose Dream, Target, and Safety Schools

From the headline of this article at the Princeton Review.

  上記の文で、safety schoolの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "safety school" 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. 《a ～》〔安全運転などの〕安全教育をする学校
2. 《a ～》〈話〉滑り止めの［ほぼ誰でも入れる］大学［学校］

言うまでもないと思いますが、問題文の意味は2番目の訳になります。

 

Answer

According to PrepScholar:

A safety school is a college that you're almost guaranteed to get into. Your GPA should be well above the average student's at that school and your SAT or ACT score should be above the 75th percentile for that school.
In other words: a safety school is one that you have a strong chance of getting into!

 

Examples

1. Safety schools are colleges where admission is likely based on a student's academic profile.
2. Experts say prospective students should look at how they stack up against a college's prior classes to estimate their odds of admission – both at safety schools and other colleges to which they plan to apply.
3. A friendly reminder: safety schools are only those which you are 100% guaranteed admission
4. A safety is a school that you have a near 100% chance of admission, you can afford without any competitive awards and you are willing to go.
5. You should be applying to safety schools because you want to make sure that you have a wide variety of colleges and universities on your list to choose from. 

   

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Question of the Day #1363

A Tiny Endangered Creature That ‘Moves Like Greased Lightning’ Has Been Found in an Unexpected Place

From the headline of this article at the Smithsonian Magazine.

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

〈話〉電光石火のごとく

   

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

Extremely fast.

 

Examples

1. Wow, that car just blew past me—it's moving like greased lightning!
2. When I take tests, I speed through them like greased lightning, so I'm sure I'll be the first one done.
3. Her crochet hook was racing like greased lightning by then. From Literature
4. I went down it like greased lightning and came out at the bottom of it and once again I was on the floor. From Literature
5. Another character “moves like greased lightning and is at the cafe huffing and puffing.” From Washington Post

   

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Question of the Day #1362

‘Bring Your Own Kneepads’: Trump Cabinet Members Butter Him Up After He’s Booed at Commanders Game, But What Jeanine Pirro Does Takes It Over the Top

From the headline of this article at MSN.com.

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

 

---

   

解答

意味：
英辞郎によるとover the topの意味は、

1. 上限を越えて、大げさすぎる◆【略】O.T.T.
2. ひど過ぎる、法外な、無法な、理不尽な、やり過ぎの
3. 《軍事》塹壕の胸壁を乗り越えて（攻撃を開始して）

問題の見出しの訳は、1番が適切だとおもいますが、場合によっては2番の訳でいいかもしれません。

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary, "over the top" is defined as:

1. Beyond a certain limit, threshold, goal, or quota.
2. Excessive, flamboyant, campy, or outrageous, often purposefully so. Often hyphenated.
3. Over the fortification surrounding a trench in trench warfare.
4. Describing entertainment (such as TV shows and movies) that is obtained from sources other than a traditional cable subscription, such as streaming services and a la carte programming.

 

Examples

1. I was already thinking about buying the new car, but having a test drive in one pushed me over the top.
2. Mrs. Patterson's generous donation has put us over the top to reach our $1 million goal!
3. Inspired by the Southern favorite MoonPie, this over-the-top dessert features a graham cracker crust, creamy chocolate filling, and a touch of whiskey. — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
4. Here’s where to find the best deals—and the most over-the-top drops—this year. — Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
5. And everything here is over-the-top, from the pricey entrees to the stylish bar. —
Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas News, 1 Aug. 2023

   

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Question of the Day #1361

China is likely to thread the needle after US attack on Venezuela

From the headline of this article at the South China Morning Post.

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

 

---

   

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

1. 針に糸を通す
2. 〈比喩〉難事を成し遂げる
3. 〈比喩〉〔球技などでボールを〕狭い所に正確に打つ［投げる］

   

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

1. verb Literally, to insert thread through the eye of a needle.
2. verb To pass, or pass something, through a narrow space between two things.
3. noun A children's game in which the participants stand in a line and hold hands. The person at the end of the line then ducks under the others' linked arms, pulling the rest of the line along with them.
4. noun In yoga, a variation of child's pose in which one brings ("threads") one's arm under one's chest, then lowers one's shoulder and ear to the mat.

 

Examples

1. The quarterback really threaded the needle between those two defenders with that pass.
2. 2010, James C. Foster,Bong Hits 4 Jesus: A Perfect Constitutional Storm in Alaska's Capital, University of Alaska Press, published 2010, →ISBN, page 215:
   Were I writing for the Court, I would seek to thread the needle between acknowledging Principal Morse's authority, on the one hand, while respecting student Frederick's rights, on the other.
3. 2021 September 6, Zack Handlen, “Rick And Mortyends its fifth season looking for an escape hatch”, in AV Club‎[1]:It was likely any resolution was going to seem like an anti-climax, and I thought this reveal threaded the needle quite well.
4. 2006 — L. Paul Bremer (with Malcom McConnell), My Year in Iraq: The Struggle to Build a Future of Hope, Simon & Schuster (2006), →ISBN, page 381:
   And I suggested we have the UN resolution endorse the concept of federalism, which the Kurds wanted, and the timetable for the January 2005 elections, as a way to thread the needle between the Kurdish and Sistani demands.
5. 2012 — Samuel L. Popkin, The Candidate: What It Takes to Win - And Hold - The White House, Oxford University Press (2012), →ISBN, page 42:
   Although the Carter campaign managed to thread the needle in that complicated situation in Philadelphia, it ignited a firestorm when Carter addressed the Irish National Congress in Pittsburgh.

   

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Question of the Day #1360

OPEN-HANDED GENEROSITY: GERRY'S STORY

From the headline of this article at Project Open Hand.

  上記の文で、open-handedの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "open-handed" 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.

 

---

   

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

1. 手に何も持たない
2. 気前［きっぷ］の良い、物惜しみしない

問題の見出しの意味は、当然2番の訳です。

 

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

GENEROUS, MUNIFICENT

 

Examples

1. Being open-handed involves attempting to share your good fortune with those in need.
2. These are times when a fine open-handed generosity at the public expense is all the fashion.
3. After the Democrat prominently backed Vice President Kamala Harris for president during the campaign, Polis has adopted a more openhanded posture toward the incoming Republican administration. — Nick Coltrain, The Denver Post, 9 Jan. 2025
4. The price tag for the expansion is $450 million, more than $200 million of which comes from the estate of David Rockefeller, MoMA’s most openhanded donor, who died in 2017 at age 101. — Terry Teachout, WSJ, 13 Feb. 2019
5. “They’re coming in an open-handed, honest-broker way to people at risk,” he said. From Washington Times

   

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Question of the Day #1359

'Bite me': Alberta baker challenges premier's office over boycott tied to recall

From the headline of this article at Barchart.

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

 

---

   

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

むかつく！／くたばれ！／放っといて［放っておいて］くれ！／構わないでくれ！／消えうせろ！◆憤りを表す俗語表現

この表現は、間投詞なので、Bite me!と書くことが多い。

 

Answer

According to Dictionary.com:

INTERJECTION
(used as an exclamation of contempt, annoyance, or peeved dismissal).

 

Examples

1. On hearing her latest sob story, all he said as he walked away was, “Bite me!”
2. You’re restructuring our department by getting rid of the best personnel? Bite me!
3. 2009, James Patterson, Maxine Paetro, The 8th Confession:
   She swiped at her tears with the palm of her hand, slipped his front-door key into the breast pocket of his leather suit jacket, whispered to the dead man, "Bite me, asshole."
4. 2006 April 5, Dan Shive, El Goonish Shive (webcomic), Comic for Wednesday, Apr 5, 2006:"I don't know, Tedd; can you sing without soap?" "Bite me."
5. 2005, Ellen Notbohm, Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew, page 37: "We was talking and stuff, and I'm, like, I am SO not going there! And he just went, okay whatever, and I'm like FINE! Like I could care less, and then he goes, like, yeah bite me—"

   

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Question of the Day #1358

Killer driver says he was like a 'bat out of hell'

From the headline of this article at the BBC.

  上記の文で、like a bat out of hellの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "like a bat out of hell" 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、

〈俗〉猛スピードで、大急ぎで◆火がきらいなコウモリと、炎が燃え盛っている地獄を組み合わせた表現。

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

very quickly

 

Examples

1. She ran down the street like a bat out of hell.
2. They undoubtedly gave him even greater publicity and notoriety, helping his solo career to skyrocket like a bat out of hell. From BBC
3. My wife shot out of the corner like a bat out of hell and leapt from her truck. From Salon
4. In the show, Joel flies in like a bat out of hell and violently knocks Seth to the ground before telling him to get the hell out. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
5. Nikki Cross ran down to this ring like a bat out of hell, and almost legitimately collided with Carmella. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2023

   

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Question of the Day #1357

VIDEO: ‘Clean as a whistle’: SC governor says USS Yorktown clear of toxic waste

From the headline of this video at Live 5 News.

  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。
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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.

 

---

   

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 Merriam-Webster:

very clean

 

Examples

1. He chopped off the branch, clean as a whistle.
2. When I come to, I’m in the recovery room, head still cloudy, soul unsettled but clean as a whistle. From New York Times
3. I searched online how best to get that area clean as a whistle with no viable results. From Slate
4. One good lather was enough for our tester’s skin to feel as clean as a whistle. — Olivia Rose Rushing, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026
5. This feels like it was developed for triple-sec, the clear type of orange liqueur, that comes with a pure orange flavor and makes a Jasmine that’s as clean as a whistle. — Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 17 Feb. 2024

   

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Question of the Day #1356

Gun-Shy

From the headline of this article at Comment.com.

  上記の文で、gun-shyの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "gun-shy" 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.

 

---

   

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

【形】
〔人が〕銃の音に敏感な［おびえやすい］、弱気の、二の足を踏んでいる、用心深い◆【対】gun-happy

今の米国においては、gun-shyは最初の「[人が]銃の音に敏感な［おびえやすい］」または「銃を恐れている」意味になりますが、一般的には他の三つの意味で使用されることが多い。なお、反対の意味としてgun-happyとなっていますが、この用語は「銃を過度に好み、使用したり、銃による暴力を擁護したりする傾向がある」の意味が強く、他の意味の対語として使用されることは稀です。

 

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

1. afraid of loud noise (such as that of a gun)
2. markedly distrustful, afraid, or cautious

 

Examples

1. After the crash, investors were gun-shy about putting their money into the stock market.
2. After his last suggestion was laughed at by his colleagues, he was gunshy about making another suggestion.
3. After her last relationship ended the way it did, I don't blame her for being gun-shy about dating again.
4. Nintendo has been famously gun-shy of live-action adaptations — or adaptations in general — after the abysmal 1993 Super Mario Bros. film tanked. — Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2025
5. The pressure from both the U.S. and China has seemingly made Panama more gun-shy about those ports shifting hands, with numerous officials putting CK Hutchison’s partnership with the Panamanian government under scrutiny. — Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 13 Aug. 2025

   

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Question of the Day #1355

How To Work A Room Like You Own The Place

From the headline of this article at Forbes.

  上記の文で、how to work a/the roomの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "how to work a/the room" 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.

 

---

   

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

〈俗〉うまく立ち回る、いい雰囲気をつくってくれる

とありますが、これはイディオムのwork the roomの結果であって決して起こす行為ではありません。
このHiNativeの説明の意味の方が適切です。

「work the room」とは、できるだけ多くの人と話し、名刺をもらい、つながりを作り、ゲームに先んじることを意味します。言い換えればネットワーキングです!

なお、下記英語の定義にあるように、仕事関連の集まりに使用されることが多いイディオムです。

 

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

To interact with many people at an event or function. Often, but not always, applied to business situations.

 

Examples

1. At networking events, Ben totally works the room, with the goal of meeting as many people as he possibly can.
2. At parties, my dad always works the room and chats with everyone, but I'm too shy for that.
3. As a campaigning politician, he really knew how to shake hands, kiss babies, and work the room.
4. Don’t “manage the floor,” work the room.
5. As you work the room, break out of the mechanical table visit that includes a rushed general question such as “Is everything okay?”

   

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Question of the Day #1354

Hot take: The National Rifle Association agrees with Governor Newsom

From the headline of this article at the Governor Gavin Newsom website.

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

ホットテイク◆報道記者が十分な調査・思考をせずに、急いで書いた記事（または投稿メッセージ）

この訳では、下記英語の定義の"often deliberately provocative or sensational opinion or reaction (as in response to current news)"(「しばしば意図的に挑発的またはセンセーショナルな意見や反応（時事ニュースへの反応など）」)が欠落しています。

 

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

a quickly produced, strongly worded, and often deliberately provocative or sensational opinion or reaction (as in response to current news)

 

Examples

1. They’re too focused on raising families and trying to prosper in these hard times to post a hot take on social media about political personalities they barely know. From Los Angeles Times
2. Frankly, it’s a flaming hot take that’s best kept private, reserved only for the Notes App or a conversation at the dinner party table. From Salon
3. Swoopes has faced criticism in the past over her hot takes on Clark. — Paulina Dedaj, Fox News, 11 Dec. 2024
4. Dwayne Johnson has a hot take on singing in movie theaters. — Tommy McArdle, People.com, 26 Nov. 2024
5. In fact—brace for hot take—sometimes the hair, makeup, and nails are more noteworthy than the attire. — Marci Robin, Allure, 5 May 2025

   

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Question of the Day #1353

Gift of Gab Bridges Cultures at Asakatsu

From the headline of this article at DVIDS.

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

《gift of (the) gab》〈話〉雄弁、能弁◆「よく考えずにペラペラしゃべる」という軽蔑的な意味で使われることもある。

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

the ability to talk glibly and persuasively

 

Examples

1. She's got the gift of the gab - she should work in sales and marketing.
2. They are naturally good salesmen with the gift of the gab.
3. The gift of gab would serve him well in his journalistic career. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2025
4. Rosie O'Donnell is using her gift of gab to share her thoughts on billionaire Jeff Bezos' extravagant wedding to Lauren Sánchez over the weekend. — Mekishana Pierre, EW.com, 30 June 2025
5. One longtime sufferer unleashes the gift of gab By Hannah Betts Read On Air Supply Give Me Some Skin Shrug off those layers and let your skin show. — Tuppence Middleton, Air Mail, 8 May 2025

   

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Question of the Day #1352

"Put up or shut up now": Walz unleashes after announcing political exit

From the headline of this article at Axios.

  上記の文で、put up or shut upの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "put up or shut up" 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.

 

---

   

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

実際にやって見せるか黙ってるかのどちらかにしてくれ。／できないなら黙っていろ。◆【同】Don't tell me. Show me.

ちょっと失礼な表現なので「できないなら黙っていろ」の方が適訳です。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

used to tell someone in a somewhat rude way to start doing something or to stop talking about it

 

Examples

1. You've complained long enough. It's time to put up or shut up.
2. You keep saying you're going to ask her out. Well, put up or shut up.
3. You keep moaning that you don't have any meaningful friendships, but you don't do anything to try to form some. Either put up or shut up!
4. Now's your chance to show us that you can run as fast as you can talk. Put up or shut up!
5. If that person is not willing to change an unpleasant environment then they should simply get out of that environment, put up or shut up.

   

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Question of the Day #1351

Railroad Festival has full head of steam

From the headline of this article at the Lompoc Record.

  上記の文で、head of steamの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "head of steam" 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. 《a ～》《物理》蒸気圧
2. 《a ～》〔人・組織・変化・改革などの〕十分な勢い

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

strong driving force: MOMENTUM

 

Examples

1. They're really beginning to build up a head of steam for their campaign.
2. And when he gets up a head of steam there's no stopping him. Times, Sunday Times (2006)
3. But Detroit is an elite team and will take a head of steam into the playoffs. — Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
4. WhatsApp has already been building a head of steam in the U.S., making this latest news a gift for Meta. — Zak Doffman, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
5. That won’t come easily, because Nvidia has a huge head of steam and—notwithstanding a couple of recent minor production stumbles—is executing at a high level. — Patrick Moorhead, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024

   

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Question of the Day #1350

A Sliding Doors moment for the NHS?

From the headline of this article at the BBC News.

  上記の文で、sliding doors momentの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "sliding doors moment" 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.

 

---

   

解答

意味：
英語のサイトでも定義が少ないこの語句を扱っている日本語のサイトは調べたところ皆無なので、下記Mediumの記事によると、

Sliding doors momentとは、人生における分岐点での選択がその後の人生を大きく左右すること。

実は、この定義ではちょっと舌足らずで、「人生における些細なできごとでその後の人生が大きく左右されること」くらいの方が正確だと思います。（理由を下記「語源」の項で説明します。）
ちなみに、英語でsliding doorsは引き戸、障子、襖のことですが、この場合は電車の扉のことです。

 

Answer

According to this article at Medium:

A Sliding Doors Moment; a junction in life where choices lead to divergent paths.

 

語源

同Mediumの記事によると、

この言葉は、Gwyneth Paltrowの1998年の映画Sliding Doors/邦題「スライディング・ドア」に由来し、主人公のHelenの人生の分岐点を指しています。
電車の扉(sliding doors)が閉まったために乗り損ねて、浮気をしている婚約者を発見しないのか？
それとも、その電車に乗車することができて、婚約者の浮気現場に遭遇するのか？

 

Etymology

According to the same article at Medium:

It is a term forever cast into our vocabulary after Gwyneth Paltrow’s 98' film [Sliding Doors], we see Helen (Paltrow) reach a moment in time where her paths diverge.
Does she miss the train and miss her cheating fiance?
Or does she get on that early train and catch him in the act?

   

Examples

1. So I guess essentially, a sliding doors moment basically is a moment in your life which you don't realize at the time is going to change the trajectory of your life forever going forward.
2. What is your sliding doors moment THIS YEAR?
3. Meeting her was a sliding doors moment that changed his life forever.
4. Choosing that job was a sliding doors moment in his career.
5. Princess Diana's last minute decision to make a trip to Paris was a defined sliding door decision

   

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Question of the Day #1349

Embarrassing floor meltdown has House Republicans questioning their leaders

From the headline of this article at Politico.

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

【名】

1. 〔原子炉の〕炉心溶融、メルトダウン
2. 〔金属の〕溶融
3. 〔株式市場の〕暴落
4. 〔金融・経済などの〕破綻
5. 〔法廷の判断による〕最終的な処分

注意：この英辞郎の訳の中に、下記英語の定義3の訳がありません。それは、「（疲労や過剰な刺激による）自己制御[統制]の破綻」になります。
なお、問題の見出しの場合は4番の「破綻」が敵訳だと思います。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

1. the accidental melting of the core of a nuclear reactor
2. a rapid or disastrous decline or collapse
3. a breakdown of self-control (as from fatigue or overstimulation)

 

Examples

1. After a long day at the beach, our toddler had a major meltdown in the car on the way home.
2. Saxon is the only one who has a meltdown about the phones. — Erik Kain, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
3. The next ransomware meltdown or worse could be one bug away. — Lily Hay Newman, Wired, 8 July 2021
4. Ecological meltdown in predator-free forest fragments.
5. In 2008, when the mortgage meltdown threatened the U.S. housing market, the Treasury agreed to support the two companies in exchange for senior preferred stock purchase agreements. From Barron's

   

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Question of the Day #1348

Damned if you Do and Damned if you Don’t

From the headline of this article at The Therapeutic Care Journal.

  上記の文で、damned if you do and damned if you don'tの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "damned if you do and damned if you don't" 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、

そうすれば困ったことになるし、そうしなくても困ったことになる。／あちらを立てればこちらが立たず。／行くも地獄、帰るも地獄。◆【場面】二つの選択肢のうち、どちらをとっても悪い結果になってしまう。

Damned if you do, damned if you don'tと言う・書くこともあります。

 

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

informal
—> used to say that in a specific situation a person can be blamed or considered wrong no matter what he or she does

 

Examples

1. Well, this is one of these things where you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
2. You can and you can’t, you shall and you shan’t; you’ll be damned if you do, and you’ll be damned if you don’t.
3. The school is in one of those "damned if you do and damned if you don't" positions. If they ban junk food in the canteen, the kids will say their rights are being infringed upon, and if they don't ban it, others will say they're damaging the kids' health.
4. If I keep playing music in the same style, some people say I'm repeating myself, but if I change to a new style, other people say I'm just following fashion. I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't!
5. So your boss will be mad if you miss the work event, and your husband will be disappointed if you skip your anniversary dinner. Damned if you do, damned if you don't!

   

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Question of the Day #1347

Buffalo named a city of “Sneaky Good Food “by CNN Travel

From the headline of this article at WIVB.com.

  上記の文で、sneaky goodの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "sneaky good" 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：
英辞郎や他の日本語のサイトにこの熟語の訳が見当らないので、下記英語のUrban Dictionaryの訳を掲載します。

[とくに、その良さがあまり知られていない時に]優れている。インチキではないかと思うぐらいに良い。

一般的に、sneakyは「〔人に内緒で（不正な方法で）〕コソコソする、卑劣な」のいみですが、近年ではこのsneaky goodやsneaky athletic（「見かけよりも運動神経がいい」）のようにいい意味で使用されるようになっています。

 

Answer

According to the Urban Dictionary:

Excellent, especially when underrated. Good enough to give the impression of cheating.

 

Examples

1. I thought that goofy-looking guy couldn't play, but he's sneaky good.
2. Bill didn't have a copy of the exam. He's a sneaky good student.
3. The sneaky good part of OSU’s defense is its play up front against the run. —
oregonlive, 25 Nov. 2022
4. This would be a sneaky good pick for a shaky Ravens offense. — Gentry Estes, The Courier-Journal, 5 Feb. 2018
5. Sneaky-good performances that mattered in Week 8

   

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Question of the Day #1346

'Kowtow to communist China or expect anger and punishments'

From the headline of this article at Skynews.com.au.

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

1. 叩頭［叩首］する
2. こびへつらう、卑屈に振る舞う

【名】

1. 叩頭、叩首◆膝をつき、額を地面に付けるおじぎ。深い尊敬や従属の意を表す、かつて中国で行われていたおじぎの仕方。
2. こびへつらい、卑屈な態度

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

intransitive verb

1. to show obsequious deference : FAWN
2. to kneel and touch the forehead to the ground in token of homage, worship, or deep respect

noun

1. an act of kowtowing

 

語源

英辞郎によると、

【語源】中国語のkou（叩）tou（頭）から。

 

Etymology

According to the Online Etymology Dictionary:

also kow-tow, 1804, from Chinese k'o-t'ou, custom of touching the ground with the forehead while kneeling as a gesture of respect or submission, literally "knock the head," from k'o "knock, bump" + t'ou "head."

   

Examples

1. The Trump administration is being urged to go on offense and make sure the next United Nations chief is aligned with U.S. and Western values and doesn't kowtow to what critics say is an increasingly anti-American institution. — Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 5 Dec. 2025
2. Two years ago, she got fired from her $196,551 hack sinecure at the Cannabis Control Commission for not sufficiently kowtowing to the woke mob. — Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 22 Nov. 2025
3. Many figures in the media world viewed the settlement as a kowtow to the president as Paramount seeks FCC approval for its $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 24 July 2025
4. To cover up his kowtow, the president crowed that Russia and Ukraine would now begin negotiations for a ceasefire. — Trudy Rubin, Twin Cities, 23 May 2025
5. Maybe there’s a lesson here in not kowtowing to the diehards in advance. — Vulture, 25 Aug. 2023

   

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Question of the Day #1345

Tilting At Windmills: The Apple Of My Eye

From the headline of this article at The Evening Sun.

  上記の文で、apple of one's eyeの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "apple of one's eye" 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. 《the ～》瞳
2. 《the apple of someone's eye》（人）にとって非常にいとしいもの、（人）の自慢の種◆【語源】apple of the eye（瞳）⇒ 「大切な物」。

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

one that is highly cherished

 

Examples

1. His new baby girl was the apple of his eye.
2. Tom is the apple of Mary's eye. She thinks he's the greatest.
3. John's new car is the apple of his eye.
4. Dr. Peterson said parents should keep in mind that “what supports healthy growth of the child and capacity to love themselves is parental idealization, that this child is perfect, and the apple of one’s eye.” From New York Times
5. It is necessary to be constantly vigilant, to protect, as the apple of one's eye, the armed forces and defensive power of our country. From Time Magazine Archive

   

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Question of the Day #1344

Michigan's online-only districts catch flak for holding 'virtual snow day'

From the headline of this article at The Detroit News.

  上記の文で、flakの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "flak" 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. 対空砲火◆【語源】ドイツ語flieger（飛行機）+ abwehr（防衛）+ kanone（大砲）
2. 〈話〉〔次々に繰り出される〕激しい批判［非難］、ののしり、反対意見

問題の見出しの訳は当然2番ですが、この意味は1番の定義に基づいています。
用法は、catch flakやtake flakが一般的です。
また、flackとスペルすることがあります。  

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

1. antiaircraft guns
2. the bursting shells fired from flak
3. CRITICISM, OPPOSITION

 

Examples

1. He caught heavy flak for his decision to oppose the new school.
2. Such an unpopular decision is bound to draw a lot of flak from the press.
3. But if New York gets hit with a snowstorm early in his administration, the new mayor could quickly take flak if the streets aren’t plowed fast enough. From The Wall Street Journal
4. Apple has gotten some flak from critics on Wall Street who say the company hasn’t innovated enough in its smartphone business. From MarketWatch
5. He’s taken a lot of flak for this from right-wing members. — The Salt Lake Tribune, 20 Jan. 2022

   

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