mare's nestとは 意味・読み方・使い方

語源

Alteration of earlier horse's nest, from the fanciful and unlikely notion that horses make nests.

発音

• (英国発音) IPA: /ˈmɛːz nɛst/

名詞

mare's nest (plural mare's nests or mares' nests) (figurative)

1. A great discovery which turns out to be illusory; especially, a hoax.

   Near-synonyms: bullshit, horseshit

   • c. 1620, John Fletcher (playwright), Bonduca, V.2:

     Why dost thou laugh? What Mares nest hast thou found?

2. A confused or complicated situation; a muddle.

   Synonym: rat's nest

   Coordinate term: boar's nest

   • 2002, Colin Jones, The Great Nation, Penguin, published 2003, page 277:

     Though Chancellor Maupeou had supported the idea of a trial [...], the legal proceedings developed into a mare's nest of accusations and counter-accusations.

参考

アナグラム

• stearsmen, steersman