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Michael Wines, Behind Gusts of a Military Chill: A More Forceful China. New
York Times, June 9, 2010 (title in the press).
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/09/world/asia/09beijing.html?scp=1&sq=gates%20singapore%20albatross%20&st=cse
Note:
(a) burr (n): "a rough or prickly envelope of a fruit"
(b) An albatross is a sea bird. Derivatively, it is defined as "3a:
something that causes persistent deep concern or anxiety b: something that
makes accomplishment particularly difficult: ENCUMBRANCE, HANDICAP."
An albatross around one's neck.
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/30800.html
(c) millstone (n): "a heavy or crushing burden"
(d) "far and away" (adv.): "by a considerable margin <was far and away the
better team>"
(e) take the bit in one's mouth
http://www.sky-net-eye.com/eng/english/idioms/american/i_t/7954-take-the-bit-in-ones-mouth
("To have your own way; take charge of things; take control of something. /
When Mary wanted something, she was likely to take the bit in her teeth and
her parents could do nothing with her./")
This idiom alludes to the "bit," the metal mouthpiece of a bridle whereby a
rider controls a horse. [c. 1600]
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