give sb a run for their money
NZとの親善試合を前にザッケローニ監督が記者会見を開きました。
Japan is no underdog in 2014 World Cup, according to Coach Zaccheroni
Japan national team coach Alberto Zaccheroni is confident his squad can give Colombia, Ivory Coast and Greece a run for their money in their World Cup grouping. The Italian coach is optimistic of his team’s World Cup chances as he announced the 23-man squad that will go against New Zealand in a friendly next week.
give sb a run for their moneyは「(人)と互角の勝負をする」、「接戦で(人)を苦しめる/てこずらせる」という意味のイディオムです。文字通りに訳すと、「 金を出した分のだけの走りを〈人に〉与える」ということで、競馬からの表現だと言われています。それにしてもすごい自信です。(UG)