Question of the Day #1298

Does hair of the dog actually work?

From the headline of this article at the BBC.

  上記の文で、hair of the dogの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "hair of the dog" 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 ～》迎え酒、毒を制するための毒

このイディオムの全文はhair of the dog that bit youになりますが、that bit youが省略されることが多い。  

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

an alcoholic drink that is taken by someone to feel better after having drunk too much at an earlier time

 

語源

英辞郎によると、

【語源】犬にかまれたら、その犬の毛を取って傷口に付けると、その傷が治るという迷信から。

 

Etymology

According to Dictionary.com:

Originally, the expression referred to a method of treating a rabid dog bite; hair from the dog was placed in the wound.

   

Examples

1. This was the hair of the dog cure. Times, Sunday Times (2012)
2. We need some hair of the dog. Times, Sunday Times (2008)
3. So use the recipe below for your hair of the dog, not your nightcap. — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2025
4. However, the reality on the ground is that this is a late-night party with a hair of the dog vibe. — Tim Ellis, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024
5. Stop in Sunday for hair of the dog specials, including $5 bloody marys and $15 mimosa carafes. — Samantha Nelson, chicagotribune.com, 8 Mar. 2022

   

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Question of the Day #1297

Tariffs Update: Volkswagen Takes One On The Kisser

From the headline of this article at Yahoo! Autos.

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

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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. （よく）キスをする人
2. 〈俗〉口
3. 〈俗〉顔◆【同】smiler ; mug

   

Answer

According to :

1. one that kisses
2. slang              
                
   1. MOUTH
                
   2. FACE
                
 

 

Examples

1. The moon, enraged, hits him right in the kisser and splits his lip. — Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 21 Dec. 2020
2. But then, out of nowhere, the chile peppers will catch you unawares and land a solid uppercut to the kisser. — Tim Carman, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024
3. Later in the series, Stephenson decided to give James a love tap in the kisser. — Sean Smyth, BostonGlobe.com, 6 May 2018
4. John Leguizamo is the leader of the pack, shouting obscenities and punching a grandma right in the kisser. From Seattle Times
5. 1918, Ralph Selwood Kendall, Benton of the Royal Mounted, New York: Grosset & Dunlap, page 121: Get yore handkerchief ready, an' run out an' cram it into his kisser an' choke th' —— if he starts in to holler.

   

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Question of the Day #1296

Bide one’s time, then show strength

From the lede of this article at The Economist.

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

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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、

チャンス［好機］が来る［訪れる］のを待つ、チャンス［機会・好機・時機］をうかがう、チャンス［機会］を狙う、チャンス［機会・好機・時機・機が熟すの］を待つ、チャンス到来を待つ

   

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

To delay some action until an ideal moment or situation reveals itself.

 

Examples

1. The ability to bide one's time is underrated. Times, Sunday Times (2009)
2. The cat sat in front of the mousehole, biding its time.
3. 1965, Lennon–McCartney, “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)”, in Rubber Soul, performed by The Beatles: "I sat on the rug, biding my time"
4. I'm just biding my time in an office job until a tenure-track position opens up at one of the local colleges.
5. Just bide your time as an intern and make a good impression at the company. That way, they'll keep you in mind for future jobs.

   

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Question of the Day #1295

Peter Gago: ‘The learning curve in China has been very steep’

From the headline of this article at The Drinks Business.

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

ラーニングカーブ、学習［習熟］曲線◆【略】LC◆【参考】have a steep learning curve

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

1. a curve plotting performance against practice
2. the course of progress made in learning something

 

Examples

1. That’s the learning curve, too, of going from the studio to the stage. — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 4 Apr. 2025
2. The learning curve was steep in the early weeks of the season. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025
3. Every step of the process was a huge learning curve for me. — Liz Appel, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2023
4. There is a learning curve in the process of seeking employment.
5. Since its establishment 18 months previously, the group appeared to have followed a demanding learning curve.

   

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Question of the Day #1294

CHEAT SHEET

From the title of this page at E News.

  上記の文で、cheat sheetの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "cheat sheet" 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〉カンニングペーパー、カンペ、〔要点などの〕早見表◆【同】crib sheet ; 〈米〉crib note

 

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

1. a sheet containing information (such as test answers) used secretly for cheating
2. a written or graphic aid (such as a sheet of notes) that can be referred to for help in understanding or remembering something complex

 

Examples

1. Here's a cheat sheet that could help bring you up to speed. — Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 10 July 2022
2. Below is a quick cheat sheet of the best (and hottest) places to stop by on your visit. — Katie Attardo, Marie Claire, 25 Jan. 2018
3. Here’s a cheat sheet of key words to know when ordering your next meal. — Christina Liao, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2024
4. Cheat sheets, once written on the palm of the hand, now can be stored on programmable calculators and watches.
5. In past years, students have been found using wireless mini-earphones as well as technology-free methods, such as hiding cheat sheets in pens or writing answers on their legs.

   

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Question of the Day #1293

Whatever floats your boat

From the headline of this article at the Winnipeg Free Press.

  上記の文で、whatever floats your boatの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "whatever floats your boat" 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、

お好きなように、好きにしたら

   

Answer

According to the Longman Dictionary:

informal used to say that someone can do or use whatever they like

 

Examples

1. You can add raisins, nuts, chocolate chips – whatever floats your boat.
2. "You can achieve a non-ordinary or altered state with drugs, drumming, dancing, fasting, meditation, whatever floats your boat—floats it into the beyond, that is." - 2025 May 17, James Parker, “Return of the Shaman”, in The Atlantic
3. "You can fill your life with love / You can fill your life with owt / You can fill your lifе with food and drink / Or whatever floats your boat" - 2025, “The Hymn of the North”, in Jarvis Cocker (lyrics), More, performed by Pulp
4. It's your birthday. We can go to the theatre or have a meal in a posh restaurant. Whatever floats your boat.
5. Peter is a ladies' man but if you still want to go out with him, fine, whatever floats your boat!

   

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Question of the Day #1292

Minister out of his depth on jobs crisis

From the headline of this article at NSW Liberal.

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

（人）の背が立たない深みにはまって、〔物事が〕（人）に理解できない［の及ばない］、（人）の能力［理解］の及ばない［を超えている］、（人）の手に余る

 下記例文1にあるようにbeyond one's depthということもできます。

 

Answer

According to Dictionary.com :

1. in water deeper than one's height or too deep for one's safety.
2. beyond one's knowledge or capability.

 

Examples

1. The conductor realized that playing the fugue at the right tempo was beyond their depth.
2. Being out of one’s depth is an inevitable fate for a Henry Green character. From The New Yorker
3. The issue takes on a special coloration when the topic under discussion is literally a matter of life or death and when being out of one’s depth can have serious consequences. From Washington Post
4. Mr Gibson is clearly intellectually out of his depth.
5. I'd always struggled at school. I hated it and felt out of my depth.

   

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