Questions which a dictionary cannot answer about set phrases with unusual meanings that can't be properly understood just from the separate words in them.
Questions tagged [idioms]
53 questions
12
votes
5 answers
Does the phrase "не за что!" have two meanings?
I vaguely remember discussing the phrase "не за что!" with my Russian teacher and I believe that he said the phrase has different meanings when spoken in different ways.
I do remember that one meaning is basically "Hell no!" What is the correct…
user4217
11
votes
7 answers
Russian idiom for redundancy
In Canada we have the idiom "selling ice to the eskimos" to illustrate someone doing something redundant. What is it in russian that illustrates redundancy? I've looked at lists of idioms but haven't seen any that illustrate redundancy.
Timr
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9
votes
2 answers
What to say in a toast?
Before I start, I want to point out that although I want to learn Russian, my current level is 0.
I recently saw the movie "The Deer Hunter" (Great movie). One of the characters is of russian ascendence, and in the beggining there is a wedding full…
MyUserIsThis
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9
votes
4 answers
What is the idiom for "enjoy it!" in Russian?
What is the idiom for "enjoy it!" in Russian?
Contexts for example:
"I'm going to travel with my friends."
"I'm traveling with my friends."
"We are in the camp now."
"We are walking in the city center now."
I've tried dictionaries and googling…
Influx
- 2,035
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8
votes
3 answers
напугал кота сосиской - Is it an idiom?
"напугал кота сосиской" seems to be an idiom. Is it? What does it mean?
arney
- 357
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8
votes
4 answers
Meaning of куда мне
I saw the following exchange:
Будешь поступать в институт?
- Куда мне, мне б в училище поступить".
Since there's no question mark, I'm led to believe that куда мне is rhetorical here, and quite possibly an idiom. (Also, I admit, I don't really…
CocoPop
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5
votes
2 answers
How does до сих пор mean 'still'
Would someone be able to analyze the phrase "до сих пор?"
I know it means "still," but I translate it as "until these then," and I dont understand why it can mean "still."
N romaai
- 259
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5
votes
1 answer
How to translate idiom "red herring"?
From wikipedia: The idiom "red herring" is used to refer to something that misleads or distracts from the relevant or important issue.
Is there literal translation or similar idiom?
Ivan Solntsev
- 153
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5
votes
3 answers
Meaning of же in “его сыновья ... его же дочери”
I’m deciphering a modern transcription of ревизские сказки (revision records) written in the 19th century. All throughout I see a pattern similar to this (names have been changed):
Илья Андреевич Ростов
его сыновья:
Николай
Петр
Ильи…
Lee C.
- 361
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- 5
5
votes
3 answers
He couldn't hold his alcohol - how to say it in Russian?
I was trying to explain to someone the English phrase:
He couldn't hold his alcohol (also liquor)
This means that one becomes drunk very easily. Are there any Russian idioms/expressions that are roughly equivalent?
user7085278
- 163
- 3
5
votes
6 answers
What are Russian equivalents of the English idiom "It's a work in progress"?
What are Russian equivalents of the English idiom "It's a work in progress"?
To make this question self-sufficient, the definition of "work in progress" is "an unfinished project that is still being added to or developed". Usually it is supposed…
rapt
- 557
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5
votes
3 answers
How to say "for one's own sake"
Например: "He should listen to his mother, for his own sake".
Я думал, что-to похоже: "Он должен выслушивать свою мать, чтобы спасать себя.", но это казалось слишком буквально, так как на английском течение должен быть более метафоричный.
Спасибо!
Grant
- 79
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4
votes
1 answer
Asking for a table
What is an idiomatic way to say when entering a restaurant
A table for two, please?
A table for one, please?
Martin Peters
- 907
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3
votes
0 answers
Any idiomatic expression in Russian commonly misinterpreted by non-Russian speakers?
Do you know of any idiomatic expression in Russian, the meaning or etymology of which is usually misinterpreted by non-Russian speakers? Is there such an expression in Russian that Russian speakers are already tired of explaining to foreigners that…
brilliant
- 5,752
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2
votes
4 answers
Идиомы, связанные с едой
В домашнем задании попросили привести примеры идиом, свзяанных с едой. Вспомнилось следующее:
Ест так, что за ушами свистит
Ну ты и фрукт
Съесть вместе пуд соли
Он на этом собаку съел
a) являются ли эти примеры идиомами и б) какие еще могут быть…
Andrew Savinykh
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