Phraseologisms starting with the letter K. The meaning of phraseological units starting with the letter K

Robert Griswold How to swim in money How to become rich and lucky? The complete method of Robert Griswold, who helped thousands of people do this in his homeland, is presented to a wide range of readers for the first time in Russian

Phraseological units starting with the letter K. The meaning of phraseological units starting with the letter K. Phraseological dictionary

1. Phraseologism You can’t approach him even on a goat

Phraseologism“You can’t even approach him on a goat.”. This rather rare phrase, meaning “he is completely unapproachable,” probably arose in the language of the old Russian “amusing people” - all sorts of jesters, gudoshniks and buffoons.

They amused their high patrons, using harps and bells for their amusement, dressing up in goatskin, bearskin, and crane plumage. The “repertoire” of these “spouts” also included riding goats and pigs.

Obviously, the buffoons sometimes encountered such a bad mood from a high-ranking person that “even a goat had no effect on him.” This is where this saying comes from. The phraseological unit “You can’t approach him even on a goat” is catchphrase.

2. Phraseologism To the head analysis

Phraseologism"Towards a head-to-head analysis" used to mean - to be late, to appear when everything is already over. The proverb arose in those days when in Rus' people, coming to church in warm clothes and knowing that it was forbidden to go inside with a hat, put their caps and caps at the very entrance. At the end of the church service, when everyone left, they took them apart. Only those who were clearly in no hurry to go to church came to the “head-by-side analysis.” The phraseological unit “To the point of analysis” is a catch phrase.

3. Phraseologism Mayhem in the head

Phraseologism"A mess in my head". Today the word chaos means a monstrous disorder, disorder and generally... a mess. But one and a half hundred years ago this word meant something edible. On the Volga, kvardak was the name for millet kulesh with finely chopped fish; the Tula people used this word for cabbage soup with crushed breadcrumbs; near Orenburg, kvardak was potatoes stewed with onions and finely chopped meat. In general, kvardak is a Turkic word, the same root as the word fat tail and means chopped lamb.

The Turks call this dish kavurdak or kavurma, and it’s not far from the Palestinian shawarma, which Moscow residents enjoy, or the Lebanese shawarma, which is preferred in St. Petersburg. If you look at the form in which the same word comes into the Russian language, it really becomes a mess in your head.

And yet, how did chopped lamb become a symbol of disorder? The fact is that Russian kvardaki is a crumble of all sorts of leftovers, and such a dish is rarely dietary. The Pskov dialect dictionary notes that in the Pskov region the word kvardak is used to describe indigestion, which is accompanied by diarrhea and rumbling in the stomach. It is assumed that it was from this meaning that first there was chaos in the head, and then just chaos, like a lack of order. The phraseological unit “A mess in the head” is a catch phrase.

4. Phraseologism Personnel decide everything

Phraseologism “Personnel decide everything.” The meaning of phraseological units - in any business - the most important thing is what kind of people are involved in this business.

The emergence of a phraseological unit is the words of I.V. Stalin (1879-1953), spoken on May 4, 1935 in the Kremlin Palace before graduates of military academies.

5. Phraseologism Every barrel has a plug

Phraseologism " Every barrel has a plug » used to mean a person who gives advice to everyone, regardless of whether this advice is needed. The phraseological unit “Every barrel has a plug” is a catch phrase.

6. Phraseologism To each his own

Phraseologism"To each his own". The meaning of the phraseological unit is that each person has his own interests and hobbies, his own worldview, each has his own destiny and his own path in life.

The emergence of phraseological units is from the writings of the Roman writer and orator Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC). The original says: “Justice is recognized by the fact that it awards to each his own.”

Subsequently, the legal meaning of the phrase was gradually lost. Also found in the Roman writer Pliny the Elder (23-79)

During World War II, the phrase became infamous. The Nazis put the inscription “Jedem das Seine” (“To each his own”) on the gates of the Buchenwald death camp. The phrase made sense - if you are an Aryan, then you deserve world domination, if you are not an Aryan, you deserve death. Of course, neither Cicero nor Pliny had anything like that in mind... Phraseologism in Latin: “Suum cuique.”

7. Phraseologism Each person is the architect of his own destiny

Phraseologism “Everyone is the smith of his own destiny.” The meaning of phraseology is that a person himself determines by his actions and behavior how his whole life will turn out in the future.

The emergence of phraseological units - according to the Roman historian Sallust (86-35 BC), these words belong to the Roman consul and poet Appius Claudius (c. 340 - 273 BC).

8. Phraseologism Everyone dies alone

Phraseologism “Everyone dies alone” used in several senses: 1) To emphasize the spiritual isolation of each person; 2) That the most important decisions in life are made by a person himself.

The emergence of a phraseological unit is the title of a book by the German writer Hans Fallada (1893-1947).

9. Phraseologism Casanova

Phraseologism "Casanova". A common noun for a great lover of love affairs, a good lover. Analogue of “Don Juan” and “Lovelace”.

Giacomo Girolamo Casanova (1725-1798) is a famous adventurer of Venetian origin, famous for his love affairs, which he himself described in his memoirs. It is noteworthy that during his lifetime Casanova did not have a reputation as a legendary lover; it developed after his death, when his memoirs “The Story of My Life” were published. Although the list of women in these memoirs is not so large (over 39 years - 122 women), the literary skill with which Casanova described his love adventures brought him fame as a legendary lover.

10. Phraseologism Kazan orphan

Phraseologism"Kazan Orphan". In October 1552, the army of Ivan the Terrible took the capital of the Tatar Kazan Khanate, the city of Kazan. A huge territory came under the authority of Moscow. To keep its population submissive, it was necessary to find different ways. Therefore, the Russian authorities tried to win over to their side, of course, not the Tatar “men”, ordinary people, but first of all the Tatar nobility, the princes - the Murzas. The princes, for the most part, were quite willing to meet new government, seeking to maintain his position and wealth.

Many of them converted to Christianity, received gifts from the Tsar and went to Moscow to join the Tsar’s retinue there. Our people began to mockingly call these princes and princes “Kazan orphans” - at court they became poor, tried to get as many awards and “salaries” as possible.

“The Kazan Orphan” is a person pretending to be unhappy in order to arouse the sympathy of compassionate people; in this sense, we still use the old nickname as a saying. The phraseological unit “Kazan orphan” is a catch phrase.

11. Phraseologism State Pie

Phraseologism “Government Pie” about state property, which is mercilessly stolen by officials and other persons who have seized power.

The emergence of phraseological units is from the works of M. E. Saltykov-Shchedrin (1826-1889). This is what the writer called the property that was being encroached upon by government embezzlers. As you can see, the meaning of the phrase has not changed over time.

12. Phraseologism Egyptian executions

Phraseologism"Plagues of Egypt". The Bible says: the pharaoh of Egypt for a long time refused to set free the people who lived in Egypt as slaves. According to legend, the angry god then sent successively ten severe punishments to the Nile country, or “executions” in Old Church Slavonic. These were: the transformation of the Nile water into blood, the invasion of the country by toads and other reptiles, an abundance of midges, the arrival of especially evil “dog” flies, the death of livestock, a terrible epidemic that covered the entire population with abscesses, hail, interrupted by fiery showers, an invasion of all-destroying locusts, a multi-day darkness, death of the firstborn not only in human families, but also in livestock. Frightened by the disaster, the pharaoh allowed the enslaved to leave Egypt.

“Egyptian execution” is now called any serious disaster or torment. The phraseological unit “Egyptian executions” is a catch phrase.

13. Phraseologism Like a bath leaf

Phraseologism"Like a bath leaf" used in the meaning - to bother, to be intrusive. The phraseological unit “Like a bath leaf” is a catch phrase.

14. Phraseologism Like a squirrel in a wheel

Phraseologism"Like a squirrel in a wheel" used in the sense of actively, hecticly performing work. The phraseological unit “Like a squirrel in a wheel” is a catch phrase.

15. Phraseologism How he bakes pancakes

Phraseologism“How he bakes pancakes” used in the sense of doing something quickly and in large quantities. Pancakes are a national Russian dish that had ritual significance: they were obligatory at weddings and funerals. The method of making pancakes is quick and simple. The pancake takes only 2-3 minutes to bake; To cook even a large number of pancakes, you need relatively little time. This observation formed the basis of the turnover. The phraseological unit “How he bakes pancakes” is a catch phrase.

16. Phraseologism How God puts it on your soul

Phraseologism“How God puts it on your soul” used in the meaning - at random. The phraseological unit “As God puts it on your soul” is a catch phrase.

17. Phraseologism No matter what happens

Phraseologism “No matter what happens” used as a humorous commentary on the behavior of an overly cautious person who is unwilling to take even minimal risks.

The emergence of phraseological units is first found in M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin in “Modern Idyll”, words of officials.

The phrase gained popularity thanks to A.P. Chekhov (1826-1889) and his story “The Man in a Case.”

18. Phraseologism How to sink into the water

Phraseologism"How to sink into the water" used to mean - to disappear without a trace. The phraseological unit “How to sink into the water” is a catch phrase.

19. Phraseologism As you remember, you will shudder

Phraseologism “When you remember, you will tremble” used as a commentary on one’s own unpleasant memories that one doesn’t even want to remember.

The emergence of phraseological units comes from the sketch “Eleven Unknowns”.

20. Phraseologism Like a bolt from the blue

Phraseologism"Like a bolt from the blue" used in the meaning - unexpectedly. The phraseological unit “Like a bolt from the blue” is a catch phrase.

21. Phraseologism Like two fingers on the asphalt

Phraseologism“Like two fingers on the asphalt” used in the meaning - elementary, simple. The phraseological unit “Like two fingers on the asphalt” is a catch phrase.

22. Phraseologism Like two peas in a pod

Phraseologism"As two drops of water" used in the meaning - similar, indistinguishable. The phraseological unit “Like two peas in a pod” is a catch phrase.

23. Phraseologism It’s great that we are all gathered here today

Phraseologism “It’s great that we are all gathered here today” used to express joy at meeting friends or acquaintances whom we have not seen for a long time.

The emergence of a phraseological unit - from the song of the same name (1979) by O. G. Mityaev:

“You hug the yellow bend of the guitar tenderly,
The string will pierce the tight height with a fragment of echo.
The dome of the sky, large and snowy, will sway.
It’s great that we are all here today.”

24. Phraseologism Like drunk Zyuzya

The phraseological unit “Like a drunk” is used in relation to a dead drunk person. The emergence of phraseological units is from the novel by A.S. Pushkin (1799-1837) “Eugene Onegin” (1823-1831).

“Falling off a Kalmyk horse,
Like a drunk Zyuzya, and the French
Got captured..."

Zyuzya is the accepted designation for a pig in the Pskov region. Apparently, this is where the persistent association with a pig comes from of everyone who likes to take too much to the chest: “get drunk like a pig,” “grunt,” “sniff,” and so on.

25. Phraseologism Like out of a bucket

Phraseologism"As if out of a bucket" used to mean - in large quantities. About rain (pours like buckets) - heavy rain. The phraseological unit “As if out of a bucket” is a catch phrase.

26. Phraseologism Like chickens in cabbage soup (get into)

Phraseologism“Like chickens in cabbage soup”. Here is a common saying that we often repeat without thinking about its meaning and origin. True, many people understand that “chur” in old Russian means “rooster”. But is cabbage soup made from roosters?

Some interpreters of this saying, believing that cabbage soup is cooked only from beef, lamb and pork, suggested replacing the words “in cabbage soup” with the words “in plucking.” “Caught in the pluck” means he was stabbed and eaten.

It is unlikely, however, that this is the correct interpretation. Firstly, kitchen experts certify that the national Russian soup, “shchi,” can be prepared in any broth, including chicken broth. This was often done in cases where the need to prepare a treat arose suddenly, and there was no meat in stock in the village household.

27. Phraseologism How Mamai passed

Phraseologism"How Mamai passed" used to mean complete disorder, devastation, destruction.

An expression from ancient Russian history. Associated with the name of the Tatar Khan Mamai, who ruled the Golden Horde since the 60s. XIV century and carried out devastating raids on Rus' until 1380, when his troops were defeated by the squad of Dmitry Donskoy during the Battle of Kulikovo. Mamai fled to Crimea, where he died. Mamai’s invasion of Rus' is described in ancient Russian chronicles, as well as in the ancient Russian story “Zadonshchina” and “The Tale of Mamai’s Massacre”. The phraseological unit “How Mamai passed” is a catch phrase.

28. Phraseologism Like a poultice for a dead person

Phraseologism"How poultice for the dead» used to mean - useless, in vain. The phraseological unit “Like a poultice for a dead man” is a catch phrase.

29. Phraseologism How young we were

Phraseologism “How young we were” expresses nostalgic memories of past youth, about the events of youth. The emergence of phraseological units - from a song by composer A. Pakhmutova, words by poet N. N. Dobronravov:

“Nothing on earth passes without a trace,
And youth that is gone is still immortal.
How young we were,
How sincerely they loved
How they believed in themselves!”

30. Phraseologism As if nothing had happened

Phraseologism"As if nothing had happened" used to mean as if nothing had happened. The phraseological unit “As if nothing had happened” is a catch phrase.

31. Phraseologism Whatever one may say

Phraseologism"Anyway" used to mean - in any case, under any circumstances.

32. Phraseologism Like peas against a wall

Phraseologism“Like peas hitting a wall” used in the meaning - nothing affects anyone; it is useless to talk, advise, etc. to anyone. V.I. Dal in the “Dictionary of the Living Great Russian Language” gives the following definition of this phrase: “does not cling.” You can hear people say: They say to him that he should sculpt peas into the wall or like peas into the wall. The phraseological unit “Like peas against a wall” is a catch phrase.

33. Phraseologism Like a cucumber

Phraseologism"Like a cucumber" used to mean a fresh, well-rested, sober person. The phraseological unit “Like a cucumber” is a catch phrase.

34. Phraseologism How to give something to drink

Phraseologism"How to give something to drink" used in the meaning - necessarily, certainly. The expression is based on the tradition of giving travelers something to drink. Giving water is a simple and easy task, so the phrase was used to mean “quickly, easily.” At the beginning of the 19th century. the form appears as if they will give you something to drink; modern form developed by the mid-19th century. The emergence of a phraseological unit - initially used in relation to poisons - “as soon as they give him something to drink, he will die right there.” Found in the novel by I. Lazhechnikov (1792-1869) “Basurman” (1838). The phraseological unit “How to drink” is a catch phrase.

35. Phraseologism Like clockwork

Phraseologism"Like clockwork" used in the meaning - easy, easy. The phraseological unit “Like clockwork” is a catch phrase.

36. Phraseologism Like bees for honey

Phraseologism"Like bees for honey" used to mean something that attracts attention. The phraseological unit “Like bees for honey” is a catch phrase.

37. Phraseologism Like water off a duck's back

Phraseologism"Like water off a duck's back". This is not a simple saying, but part of an ancient spell formula. It used to be that a healer, pouring “speaking water” over sick children, and caring parents, bathing them in a bathhouse, would mysteriously say: “Water is off a duck’s back, but our Kolenka (or Petenka) is thin (that is, sick).” And they believed that all sorts of misfortunes would escape from their son or daughter as quickly and without a trace as water escapes from a goose’s plumage.

Precisely from goose? No, not necessarily: from the feathers of any water bird. Indeed, in such birds the plumage is covered with a special fatty lubricant, which is secreted by the gland on the back at the root of their tail. Water does not wet them, rolling down the fat...

But you can’t say: “It’s like water from a chicken.” Have you seen the wet chicken? Pathetic view! It’s not for nothing that they say about confused, frightened people: “wet chicken.”

Like water off a duck's back - absolutely indifferent, nothing at all; something has absolutely no effect on anyone. Due to the fatty lubricant of the feathers, water easily rolls off the goose. Such observations were transferred into healer formulas, proverbs, and sayings. The phraseology “Water off a duck’s back” is a catch phrase.

38. Phraseologism Like milk from a goat

Phraseologism"Like from a goat's milk". At first glance, this saying is similar to the previous one.

In fact, there is nothing in common between them either in form or in meaning.

There are two “benefits” from a sheep: milk, from which cheese is made - feta cheese, and wool. From a ram - one thing: wool (meat does not count). But, while a goat also has benefits - milk, a goat does not provide either milk or wool. Can you compare him to a ram?

Initially, our saying was longer, more precise, and sounded like this: “The benefit is like a goat: no wool, no milk.” Over time it has decreased. And so it was possible to understand that we were talking about something or someone completely unnecessary and useless.

It must be said that sometimes they say even more briefly - they don’t mention the goat, but are simply annoyed: “What good are you: no wool, no milk!” And everything is clear too. The phraseological unit “Like milk from a goat” is a catch phrase.

39. Phraseologism How I broke the chain

Phraseologism“Like I got off the chain” used to mean - began to behave violently, unreasonably. The phraseological unit “Like I broke the chain” is a popular expression.

40. Phraseologism Like herring (herrings) in a barrel

Phraseologism"Like a herring in a barrel" used to mean tightness. The phraseological unit “Like a herring in a barrel” is a catch phrase.

41. Phraseologism How to fall through the ground

Phraseologism"How to fall through the ground" used to mean - disappeared without a trace. The phraseological unit “Like falling through the ground” is a catch phrase.

42. Phraseologism Out of the blue

Phraseologism"Out of the blue" used in the meaning - unexpectedly, suddenly. The phraseological unit “Out of the blue” is a catch phrase.

43. Phraseologism Like a piece of glass

Phraseologism"Like a piece of glass" used in the meaning - sober, clean. The phraseological unit “Like a piece of glass” is a catch phrase.

44. Phraseologism Like cheese in butter

Phraseologism"Like cheese in butter" used to mean - to live in abundance. The phraseological unit “Like cheese in butter” is a catch phrase.

45. Phraseologism Like Christ in his bosom

Phraseologism“Like Christ in his bosom” used to mean - to live carefree, in complete safety. The turnover is of common Slavic origin. The image is based on the idea of ​​the sinus as a reliable shelter, a safe place. The phraseological unit “Like Christ in his bosom” is a catch phrase.

46. ​​Phraseologism Like crazy

Phraseologism"Like mad" used to mean - to run a lot and quickly. The phraseological unit “Like crazy” is a catch phrase.

47. Phraseologism What fly bitten

Phraseologism“What fly bit me?” used to describe someone who is out of sorts, angry, angry; about someone's strange behavior. The expression is a tracing-paper from the French “quelle mouche vous pique?” It goes back to the superstitious ideas (also widespread among the Slavs) that the devil could turn into flies, horseflies, beetles and other insects. Penetrating into the mouth, nose, ear or biting a person, it made him possessed, causing him to lose his temper, be nervous, and angry. The phraseological unit “Which fly bitten” is a catch phrase.

48. Phraseologism What a disgusting thing this jellied fish of yours is!

Phraseologism “What a disgusting thing this jellied fish of yours is!” used as a playful condemnation of something that we don’t like, and not necessarily edible.

The emergence of phraseological units - from the film “The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!” (1975), directed by E. A. Ryazanov. Words of Hippolytus.

49. Phraseologism What a lump, what a seasoned man!

Phraseologism “What a lump, what a seasoned man!”- about an extraordinary person.

The emergence of phraseological units - the words of V. I. Lenin (1870-1924) about the great Russian writer Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910).

50. Phraseologism What you were, so you remain

Phraseologism “As you were, so you remain” used in the literal sense of the word in relation to people who do not change at all over time (outwardly, in character, in actions).

The emergence of phraseological units - from the song for the film “Kuban Cossacks” (1950), composer I. Dunaevsky, words by M. V. Isakovsky:

“As you were, so you remain,
Steppe eagle, dashing Cossack...
Why, why did you meet again,
Why did you disturb my peace?

51. Phraseologism You can’t lure with a roll

Phraseologism“You can’t lure someone with a roll of bread” used to mean - no persuasion, no means, no promises to force someone to come in or drive somewhere. Russians have long eaten predominantly rye bread. It belonged not only to poor, but also to rich families. Our ancestors even preferred it to wheat and considered it more nutritious. The word bread originally meant “rye bread.” Wheat flour It was used for prosphora, and in everyday life - for rolls, which in general were a delicacy for the common people on holidays. Only wheat bread was eaten in the lower reaches of the Volga and on the Caspian Sea, because wheat was the dominant grain here, and rye bread was very rare. The need of the grain-less provinces attracted people to these places, and here, due to the sparse population of the region, workers were very much needed for mowing and harvesting the boundless grain fields. The expression cannot be lured with a roll, therefore it means that the rarest piece will not attract to you someone who has experienced a bitter lot and severe need in foreign lands. The phraseological unit “You can’t lure someone with a roll” is a popular expression.

52. Phraseologism Calif for an hour

Phraseologism"King for a day" has meanings: 1) about a person who received power by chance, for a short time; 2) about a person who accidentally and briefly became someone, engaged in a business that is not typical for him (usually prestigious). The expression goes back to the Arabic fairy tale “A Waking Dream, or Caliph for an Hour” from the collection “A Thousand and One Nights”.

This is what they say about people who came to power by accident and for a short period of time, and then were forced to say goodbye to it. “You are here - the caliph for an hour, and I am a zemstvo man!” - the leader of the nobility, a local native, disdainfully says to one official appointed from above - the governor, in one of the stories of the writer N. Leskov. By this he wanted to say: they will remove you from here, but I will stay.

The meaning is clear, but what is the origin? It is borrowed from the Arabian fairy tales "A Thousand and One Nights". The famous hero of eastern legends, the caliph (king) of Baghdad, Harun al-Rashid, condescended to the desire of one of his subjects - albeit for a short time to become a caliph (compare the “Sword of Damocles”). They put this man to sleep, carried him to the palace, and when he woke up, they began to give him royal honors. However, this comedy did not last long: soon the newly-minted caliph was put to sleep again and returned to his hut. This fairy tale story later gave rise to our ironic saying. The phraseological unit “Caliph for an hour” is a catch phrase.

53. Phraseologism Heart of Stone

Phraseologism “Heart of Stone”- about a cruel person, completely devoid of feelings of pity and compassion. The origin of the phraseological unit is from the Bible. The Old Testament says: “I will put a new Spirit within them, and will take out of their flesh the heart of stone, and will give a heart of flesh.”

54. Phraseologism Stumbling block

Phraseologism"Stumbling block". It is not easy for city dwellers to guess what these two words might mean; the villagers will figure it out easier. Walking in the dark (and even in the light) along remote roads and paths, a person, no, no, stumbles upon stones protruding from the ground. It's easy to trip over them, or even seriously break your leg.

People experienced the same thing on the flint roads of Ancient Judea. It is not surprising that in one of the biblical texts, God himself and his strict laws are called a “stumbling block” for sinners. It is more surprising that we continue to call all sorts of obstacles this way, especially those that you constantly stumble upon, every time you reach them. The phraseological unit “Stumbling block” is a catch phrase.

55. Phraseologism No stone left unturned

Phraseologism“No stone left unturned” used in the meaning - to destroy, destroy to the ground, without a trace. Expression from the Gospel. According to legend, Christ once predicted the destruction of Jerusalem, circling his magnificent buildings with his hand and saying: “Do you see these great buildings? All this will be destroyed so that not one stone will be left on another.” The phraseology “Leave no stone unturned” is a popular expression.

56. Phraseologism Kamo are you coming?

Phraseologism“Where are you coming?”. In what direction are you moving and developing? An expression from the Church Slavonic text of the Bible, where the phrase literally means “Where are you going?”

57. Phraseologism Gimp pull

Phraseologism"Gimp Pull". With the constant phraseological fusions with which we are engaged, a curious thing sometimes happens; two expressions that initially meant completely different things, born on different occasions and under different conditions, subsequently begin to mean the same thing. You have already seen examples of this: the combination of words “And there are spots on the sun” was probably born in the West, among medieval scientists, and the saying “Even an old woman has a hole” arose in Rus', in the midst of the Russian common people. And both mean approximately the same thing: there is nothing that happens, as they say, without a hitch.

So here, too, “gimp” is a French word: it means a thin thread, gold or silver, used in gold embroidery for embroidering patterns.

Making gimp was a painstaking and difficult task.

“To procrastinate” has acquired a figurative meaning - to waste time, to prolong work, to do something tedious and protracted. But if you remember, the words “to pull the bagpipe” have approximately the same meaning, although the bagpipe is not a golden thread at all, but a musical instrument.

Two expressions, not at all similar in their literal meanings, in the figurative sense acquired almost the same meaning. The phraseological unit “Gimp to pull” is a catch phrase.

58. Phraseologism Sink into eternity

Phraseologism"Sink into Eternity" used in the meaning - to pass, go into the past (about time). The phraseological unit “Sink into eternity” is a catch phrase.

59. Phraseologism Sink into oblivion

Phraseologism"Sink into oblivion" has the meaning: 1) disappear without a trace and forever, go into oblivion (about a person); 2) to be forever forgotten, consigned to oblivion (about events, facts, memories). The expression goes back to Greek mythology, where Lethe is the river of oblivion in the underground kingdom of Hades, the kingdom of the dead.

60. Phraseologism Carthage must be destroyed

Phraseologism"Carthage must be destroyed". During the Punic Wars - a life-and-death struggle between Carthage and Rome - the stern Roman senator Cato the Elder became famous for the stubborn habit he had acquired. Whatever he spoke about at meetings of the Senate - whether about elections to a commission or about the prices of vegetables in the Roman market - he invariably ended each of his speeches with the same phrase: “And besides, I think that Carthage should be destroyed ! The old politician more than once visited the lair of the African lion - Hannibal, in Carthage itself, and each time he returned so shocked by its wealth and power that he considered the very existence of this state (not without reason) a mortal threat to his homeland.

At first they laughed at the wise old man, and then everything happened as he wanted: as a result of a terrible bloody struggle, Rome won, Carthage was razed to the ground, and the very place where it stood was plowed by Roman plows. But two millennia have passed, and we still remember and repeat the annoying words of the stubborn old man; we repeat in two cases: when we want to show that someone is possessed by an obsession, mania, a thought with which it is impossible to knock him down, and when we need to point out a real, constant and formidable danger, until the elimination of which normal life is unthinkable. “Tseterum tsenzeo,” we say then, like Cato. - Kartaginem delendam essay!”

For the events of this time, see also the articles “Hannibal’s Oath” and “Hannibal at the Gates.”

61. Phraseologism Castor and Pollux

It is clear that the names of Castor and Pollux - the Dioscuri brothers, as they were otherwise called - became the embodiment of faithful friendship, common noun two inseparable friends.

62. Phraseologism Roll like cheese in butter

Phraseologism"Ride like cheese in butter" used in the meaning - to live in complete contentment, prosperity. The word cheese in this expression means the word “cottage cheese”. The popular comparison with cheese rolling in butter reflects the types of milk processing. Cheese, cottage cheese and cow butter are peasant symbols of well-being in life. The phraseological unit “Ride like cheese in butter” is a popular expression.

63. Phraseologism Roll down an inclined plane

Phraseologism"Go downhill" used in the sense of gradually becoming worse and worse. The phraseological unit “Roll down an inclined plane” is a catch phrase.

64. Phraseologism Download rights

Phraseologism"Download rights" used in the sense of making a claim, referring to something not particularly important. The phraseological unit “Download rights” is a catch phrase.

65. Phraseologism Porridge in the head

Phraseologism"Mess in my head" used to mean confusion, confusion in thinking. The phraseological unit “Porridge in the head” is a catch phrase.

66. Phraseologism Porridge-malasha

Phraseologism"Porridge-malasha". In general, this is not a very approved children’s game: the child stirs the thick road mud with a stick, a spatula, or even directly with his hands and says: “Porridge, little boy, delicious porridge! One can argue whether in this sentence the memory of Malanya’s wedding is preserved or whether the child simply claims that even a puddle in Mirgorod will be too small for his porridge, but in any case one thing is clear: adults call porridge-malasha a monstrous confusion, mixture and squabbles all at once.

67. Phraseologism You can’t cook porridge

Phraseologism“You can’t cook porridge” used in the meaning - you will not come to an agreement, you will not do any business with anyone. The expression is associated with the ancient ritual purpose of porridge and the process of its preparation. The joint preparation of ritual food testified to the desire to participate in the affairs of the entire community, to contribute their share to the common “cauldron” (cf. classmate). A person who did not want to participate in the general ritual action was considered a stranger and unreliable. Hence the condemnation, preserved in the form and content of the phraseological unit. The phraseological unit “You can’t cook porridge” is a catch phrase.

68. Phraseologism Carrying chestnuts out of the fire

Phraseologism"Pulling chestnuts out of the fire". Actually, this is a French proverb, brought to us in the 18th-19th centuries. It could not have arisen in Russia: Russian people until that time did not know chestnuts and did not eat them.

The great French fabulist La Fontaine has a fable, “The Monkey and the Cat.” The cunning monkey, noticing delicious chestnuts baking in the fireplace and not wanting to burn his paws with them, adapted the cat for this purpose:

Baska takes out chestnuts,
The monkey picks them up...

Pulling chestnuts out of the fire means: doing difficult work for someone, taking risks for someone else for free. The phraseology “Pulling chestnuts out of the fire” is a catch phrase.

69. Phraseologism Squaring the circle

Phraseologism"Squaring the Circle". This is often the name given to any unsolvable problem, everything completely unattainable, impossible.

Ancient mathematicians set themselves the task: using only a compass and a ruler - those tools that geometers have always used - to construct a square equal in area to one or another circle. No matter how much people struggled to solve it for thousands of years, nothing came of it. And only in our time have scientists proven for sure that this problem is generally unsolvable.

70. Phraseologism Quasimodo

Phraseologism "Quasimodo"- about a person with an ugly appearance; hunchbacked man. The emergence of the phraseological unit is from the novel “Notre Dame de Paris” (1831) by Victor Hugo (1802-1885). The hero of the novel, Quasimodo, is a hunchbacked, ugly bell-ringer, hopelessly in love with the beautiful Esmeralda.

71. Phraseologism Leavened patriotism

Phraseologism"Kvass patriotism". A true patriot is proud of the great deeds of his people, and always and in everything strives to ensure for them an equal place with all the peoples of the world; he does not forget about its national merits and tries to correct its shortcomings.

But there are people who consider themselves patriots precisely because they indiscriminately praise everything that is “theirs” and condemn everything that is “foreign.” They do not see the real, big affairs of their homeland; they are attracted by all sorts of little things, various trifling customs, sometimes even ridiculous: the cut of clothes, the habit of famous foods... Preserving all this seems to them to be the main patriotic matter: if you are Russian, love Russian cabbage soup and porridge, drink Russian kvass, wear a Russian beard, and the rest - doesn't matter!

72. Phraseologism Caesar - to Caesar

Phraseologism"What is Caesar's is unto Caesar". The word "Caesar" in Rome meant ruler, monarch. From him came such words as the Russian “cesar” and “tsar” and the German “kaiser” - emperor.

The expression originated from a church legend. Jesus' opponents from the Pharisees sect asked him a tricky question in public: should taxes be paid to Caesar, that is, to the Roman emperor, whose colony was Judea? The calculation was simple: he will say - no need, we will declare him a rebel against Rome; he will answer - we must shout that he is against the Jewish people.

However, Jesus, knowing his enemies, was found. Looking at the Roman coins with which taxes were paid, he, in turn, asked the Pharisees:

Whose image is on the coin?
“Caesarean,” they answered.
“So, give what is Caesar’s to Caesar, and what is God’s to God,” Jesus reasoned.
The Pharisees fell silent and walked away.

Now we repeat the first half of this phrase when we want to say: give someone his due, give him what he deserves. The phraseological unit “What is Caesar's to Caesar” is a popular expression.

73. Phraseologism Caesarean section

Phraseologism « C-section» . Translation of the Latin sectio caesarea, from sectio - “section” and caedo - “cut”. “Caesareus means precisely “Caesar” - that is, Caesar. There is a legend that Caesar - the one who is Gaius Julius - was born precisely thanks to this operation. And the operation has been known for a long time - Hippocrates already owned this technology. However, it was very risky; it was rarely possible to save the life of both the mother and the fetus, so each such case was included in the annals of medicine. And here is such a famous character! Lifetime legend! What they didn’t say about him after his deification! And the unusual birth fit well with this legend. The phraseological unit “Caesarean section” is a catch phrase.

74. Phraseologism Throw from one extreme to another

Phraseologism"To go from one extreme to another". used in relation to an inconsistent, rushing person. Phraseologism “To rush from one extreme to another” is a popular expression.

75. Phraseologism Clanking cymbal

Phraseologism"Clanging Cymbal". The cymbal (or “cymbal”) is a very ancient musical instrument, consisting of hollow copper hemispheres that were struck against each other, like our kettledrums. In ancient times, cymbals were used in worship; they made a loud ringing sound.

There is a place in the Bible that reads like this: “If I speak in the tongues of men and angels, but do not have love, then I am a ringing brass and a clanging cymbal” - that is: “There is no value for my speeches - they are just empty noise.”

These biblical words are remembered by people: they well characterize empty talkers. The expression is applied to loud talkers, to speakers whose loud words do not have any significant content.

76. Phraseologism Kiseynaya young lady

Phraseologism"The Muslin Young Lady". used to mean a pampered person not adapted to life. The turnover goes back to N.G. Pomyalovsky’s story “Pittish Happiness” (1860), the heroine of which wore a muslin dress. The expression became famous after Pisarev’s article “The Novel of a Muslin Girl” (1865). The phraseological unit “Kisein young lady” is a catch phrase.

77. Phraseologism Chinese literacy

Phraseologism"Chinese letter" used to mean something incomprehensible, difficult to understand. The phraseological unit “Chinese literacy” is a catch phrase.

78. Phraseologism Chinese draw

The phraseological unit “Chinese draw” is used in relation to complex, deadlocked situations that are resolved by simple volitional decisions.

The emergence of phraseological units is a chess term. When a chess game is obviously approaching a logical loss for one of the players, this player, not wanting to acknowledge the expression, simply turns the chessboard over without bringing it to a disastrous ending. Of course it's not professional level, but sometimes occurs among amateurs. Judging by the name, Chinese “grandmasters” first came up with such playing tactics.

79. Phraseologism Chinese Wall

Phraseologism"Chinese Wall". On the borders of the old Chinese Empire stands a colossal stone wall that has survived in some places to this day. There was a time when it reached ten meters in height and seven meters in thickness. The wall stretched, protecting China from raids by nomads, for six thousand kilometers. Chinese historians claimed that two million workers under the supervision of three hundred thousand overseers built the Great Wall. The wall was and remains an amazing architectural monument, although it has long lost its military significance.

The unparalleled structure has long amazed the minds of neighboring peoples. Expressions began to be used everywhere: “the Chinese wall”, “to fence off with the Chinese wall” - to designate an insurmountable barrier, the desire to live separately, avoiding communication with the rest of the world. The phraseological unit “Wall of China” is a catch phrase.

80. Phraseologism Chinese ceremonies

Phraseologism"Chinese Ceremonies". Old China was a state with a huge bureaucratic apparatus, with many arrogant nobles - mandarins - and with a magnificent and ceremonial court of the emperor - Bogdykhan. Bogdykhan's court was famous throughout the world for its indescribably complex rules of behavior - etiquette. There were so many of them that a whole science of court ceremonies emerged; Each new Bogdykhan introduced additional regulations, bows and other customs.

Gradually, the words “Chinese ceremonies” became a designation for generally tedious and unnecessary conventions, an expression of politeness reduced to the point of nonsense. The phraseological unit “Chinese ceremonies” is a catch phrase.

81. Phraseologism Small gut

Phraseologism"Tinka Gut" used to mean that someone has little strength or ability to do something. The expression is actually Russian: from the idea that when lifting weights you can tear your intestines. The phraseological unit “Kishka tonka” is a catch phrase.

82. Phraseologism Kishma is teeming

Phraseologism"The place is teeming" used to mean a continuous mass, a multitude of randomly moving animals, insects, fish or people. The expression is formed according to a tautological model - reduplication of a verb, characteristic of folk Russian speech. Compare: stand upright, run, run, shout. The phraseological unit “Ishma is teeming” is a catch phrase.

83. Phraseologism Fount of knowledge

Phraseologism"Treasury of knowledge" used to mean a very smart person. The phraseological unit “Treasury of knowledge” is a catch phrase.

84. Phraseologism Putting teeth on a shelf

Phraseologism"Putting teeth on the shelf" used in the sense of being in need, limiting oneself to what is most necessary; starve; to switch to a half-starved existence due to lack of material resources. There are two versions of the origin of the turnover. According to one of them, the expression does not mean someone’s own teeth or false teeth, which are put on a shelf as unnecessary. Many tools have teeth and teeth: saws, rakes, pitchforks. If there is a job, a piece of bread is provided; if not, put your teeth (i.e., tools) on the shelf and starve. Such “teeth” - the teeth were placed on a shelf in the spring, when the hungry pre-sowing period began. However, according to another version, the expression still refers to human teeth. The image of teeth removed and placed on a shelf is a vivid symbol of hunger. The phraseological unit “Putting your teeth on a shelf” is a catch phrase.

85. Phraseologism Brand with one brand

Phraseologism"To be branded with one brand" used to mean - to put in one row. The phraseological unit “To be branded with one brand” is a popular expression.

86. Phraseologism Knock out a wedge with a wedge

Phraseologism“To knock out a wedge with a wedge” used in the sense of destroying the results of any actions or any state by the same means by which they were caused. The proverb is associated with wood splitting, in which logs are split by driving a wedge into a crack made with an ax. If the wedge gets stuck in the wood without splitting it, then you can knock it out (and at the same time split the log) only with a second, thicker wedge. This everyday observation, like the proverb born on its basis, goes back to ancient times. The phraseological unit “knock out a wedge with a wedge” is a popular expression.

87. Phraseologism Strawberry

Phraseologism “Strawberry”. A playful symbol of everything related to eroticism.

The emergence of phraseological units - from the poem by N.V. Gogol (1809-1852) “ Dead Souls"(1842). Nozdryov's story about his friend Kuvshinnikov:

“One was so overdressed, there were ruffles on her, and truffles, and God knows what was missing... I just thought to myself: “Damn it!” And Kuvshinnikov, that is, she is such a beast, got hooked on her and French gives her such compliments... Believe it or not, he didn’t miss simple women. He calls this: taking advantage of the strawberries.”

88. Phraseologism Hippocratic Oath

Phraseologism"Hippocratic Oath" for novice doctors: a solemn oath of fidelity to medical duty. Text of the oath: “I swear by Apollo the physician, Asclepius, Hygieia and Panacea and all the gods and goddesses, taking them as witnesses, to honestly fulfill, according to my strength and my understanding, the following oath and written obligation: to consider the one who taught me the art of medicine on an equal basis with my parents, share your wealth with him and, if necessary, help him in his needs; consider his offspring as their brothers, and this art, if they want to study it, be taught to them free of charge and without any contract; instructions, oral lessons and communicate everything else in the teaching to your sons, the sons of your teacher and students bound by an obligation and oath according to the medical law, but to no one else. I will direct the treatment of the sick to their benefit in accordance with my strength and my understanding, refraining from causing any harm or injustice. I will not give anyone the deadly means they ask from me and I will not show the way for such a plan; Likewise, I will not give any woman an abortion pessary. I will conduct my life and my art purely and immaculately. In no case will I perform sections on those suffering from stone disease, leaving this to the people involved in this matter. Whatever house I enter, I will enter there for the benefit of the sick, being far from everything intentional, unrighteous and harmful, especially from love affairs with women and men, free and slaves. That during treatment - and also without treatment - I neither saw nor heard anything regarding human life that should not be disclosed, I will keep silent about that, considering such things a secret. May I, who inviolably fulfill my oath, be given happiness in life and in art and glory among all people forever; to the one who transgresses and takes a false oath, let the opposite be true.

89. Phraseologism Book with seven seals

Phraseologism"Sealed book" used in the sense of something absolutely incomprehensible, inaccessible to understanding, hidden from the uninitiated. An expression from the Bible, from the Revelation of St. John the Theologian: “And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne, a book written inside and outside, sealed with seven seals. And no one could reveal it” (Apocalypse, 5, 1-3 and other places). The phraseological unit “A book with seven seals” is a catch phrase.

90. Phraseologism Carrot and Stick

Phraseologism"Carrot and stick" used to mean a method of rewards and punishments. The phraseological unit “Carrot and Stick” is a catch phrase.

91. Phraseologism When a roasted rooster pecks (in one place)

Phraseologism“When a roast rooster pecks (at one place)” matters: 1. When a complex problem arises. 2. Never. The phraseological unit “When a roast rooster pecks (in one place)” is a catch phrase.

92. Phraseologism When how

Phraseologism"It depends" used in the meaning - in different situations in different ways.

93. Phraseologism When he pins/presses

Phraseologism“When it comes/presses” used in the meaning - when a complex problem arises. The phraseological unit “When it pins/presses” is a catch phrase.

94. Phraseologism When the cancer whistles on the mountain

Phraseologism“When the cancer on the mountain whistles” used to mean never. The phraseological unit “When the cancer whistles on the mountain” is a catch phrase.

95. Phraseologism Scapegoat

Phraseologism"Scapegoat". The ancient Jews had a peculiar religious custom called “azazel,” or “scapegoating.” Once a year, on the day appointed for this, the people gathered; one goat was sacrificed to God, and the other was solemnly driven (“released”) into the desert, after first “laying hands on it,” that is, touching it in turn. It was believed that the sins of the entire people would be transferred to the expelled goat and he would take them with him. The combination of words “scapegoat” remains a reflection of this custom in the languages ​​of different peoples. This is what they call in a figurative sense a person who takes the rap for other people’s misdeeds, who is forced to pay for the sins of others. Phraseologism “Scapegoat” is a catch phrase.

96. Phraseologism Molotov Cocktail

Phraseologism"Molotov cocktail". This is the name given to Molotov cocktails used in the fight against Soviet tanks in the winter of 1939-1940 in Finland. A mixture of kerosene, tar and gasoline was bottled in vodka distilleries; The name of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR V. M. Molotov was synonymous with Soviet aggression for the Finns. In April 1940 in English press the expression “Molotov Bread-basket” appeared, i.e. a container with incendiary bombs; and no later than the autumn of 1940 - the expression Molotov cocktail.

97. Phraseologism Wheel of Fortune

Phraseologism Wheel of Fortune(book) - blind fate, vicissitudes, impermanence of human happiness. In Roman mythology, the goddess of blind chance, happiness and misfortune, Fortuna, was depicted blindfolded, standing on a ball or wheel and holding a steering wheel in one hand and a cornucopia in the other. The rudder indicated that Fortune controls a person’s destiny, the cornucopia - the well-being, the abundance that it can give, and the ball or wheel emphasized its constant variability.

Phraseologism “Wheel of Fortune” is about the variability of luck.

Fortuna is the name of the goddess of fate and luck among the ancient Romans. She was usually depicted standing on a wheel or ball that had wings on the sides. Such a foot symbolized changeability and unreliability.

98. Phraseologism Bells pour

Phraseologism"Bells are pouring". “To cast bells” means: to lie, to tell tall tales. Why? Casting church bells was a complex matter: it required considerable skill, ingenious devices, and rules. If anything went wrong, failure was inevitable: expensive metal was lost or the bell turned out to have an incorrect, rattling ringing. The people involved in this business themselves considered it something close to witchcraft, and invented all sorts of strange customs and signs, without which nothing would work.

It was then that a superstitious custom was born: during the casting of a bell, the most ridiculous rumors were spread among the people, and soon the very words “cast bells”, “fill” began to mean: inventing God knows what. It was believed that the more incredible a rumor could be spread, the more people believed it, the more ringing and more beautiful in tone the new bell would come out.

99. Phraseologism Kolomenskaya verst

Phraseologism"Kolomenskaya Versta". “Kolomenskaya Versta” is the name given to long and thin people. The history of this phrase takes us to the distant past of the Russian people - to pre-Petrine times, when in the 17th century, by order of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, on the “pillar” road (that is, the road with milestones) between Moscow and the royal summer residence in the village of Kolomenskoye there was a new Distances were measured and “versts” (that is, milestones) were installed at such a height as had never been seen in Rus'.

These pillars must have made a huge impression if for three centuries we have been using the combination of words associated with them.

100. Phraseologism Colossus with feet of clay

Phraseologism"Colossus with Feet of Clay" used in the sense of something majestic, powerful in appearance, but weak, easily destroyed in essence. The expression goes back to the biblical story about the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar, who had an ominous dream. He saw a huge image whose head was made of gold, its chest and arms were made of silver, its belly and thighs were made of copper, its knees were made of iron, and its feet were made of clay. A stone falling from the mountain hit the colossus on its clay feet, and it turned to dust. The king gathered priests and soothsayers, and one of them interpreted this dream as a fatal omen of the impending destruction and death of the Babylonian kingdom under the attacks of the Persians. The phraseological unit “Colossus with feet of clay” is a popular expression.

101. Phraseologism Columbus's egg (Columbus's egg)

Phraseologism"Columbus Egg" used to mean an ingenious solution to a difficult problem, an unexpectedly simple and bold way out of a difficult situation. The expression originated from a Spanish folk joke. The sages tried in vain to place the egg upright, in a standing, vertical position on the table. But only the simpleton Juanelo thought of hitting the end of the egg on the table - the shell cracked and the egg was set. This is where the expression Huevo de Juanelo “Egg of Juanelo” comes from. This expression was sometimes translated into Russian as Vanyusha's egg (in Spanish - Juanelo, and in Russian - Vanya, Vanyusha). Bezzoni, in his History of the New World (1565), attributes this anecdote to Christopher Columbus. In response to an ironic remark that the discovery of America did not present much difficulty, Columbus invited his interlocutor to place an egg. When he failed, Columbus set the egg himself, saying that it would not be difficult.

102. Phraseologism I will command the parade

Phraseologism “I will command the parade.” The humorous words of a person who has decided to take responsibility or leadership upon himself.

The emergence of phraseological units is from the novel by Ilya Ilf (1897-1937) and Evgeny Petrov (1903-1942) “The Golden Calf” (1931). The words of Ostap Bender: “Don’t fuss,” Ostap noted, opening the folder, “I will command the parade. At one time you were notified of this by telegraph. So, the parade has come, and I, as you can see, am in command of it.”

103. Phraseologism A mosquito will not undermine its nose

Phraseologism“A mosquito won’t erode your nose” used in the sense of - there is nothing to complain about. About something well made, which is difficult to find fault with, they say: “a mosquito won’t hurt your nose.” What does a mosquito actually have to do with it? And it’s even more unclear why he needed to sharpen his nose. Let's figure it out.
Some believe that the expression is used in cases where the job is done well and smoothly, without a hitch on which a mosquito could sharpen its nose. This is not a completely correct explanation. The fact is that in the old days the verb “to sharpen” not only had the usual current interpretation (“to sharpen slightly”), but also served as a synonym for the words “to push”, “to palm.” What could be thinner than a needle? Mosquito nose-proboscis. This is how another proverb appeared. A mosquito won’t hurt your nose under a good matchmaker (V. Dahl). And a part of it, like many other Russian proverbs, broke away, becoming an independent saying - a mosquito will not hurt your nose.

The phraseological unit “A mosquito won’t undermine your nose” is a popular expression.

104. Phraseologism Inferiority complex

Phraseologism “Inferiority complex”- about people who extremely exaggerate their own shortcomings and are extremely insecure. Recently, it has begun to be used not only to people, but also to public associations and states.

The emergence of phraseology is a medical term that became widely known after the publication of the book “On the Inferiority of Organs” (1907) by the Austrian psychiatrist Alfred Adler (1870-1937), a student of S. Freud.

105. Phraseologism Bunch of nerves

Phraseologism"Bundle of nerves" used to mean a nervous person. The phraseological unit “Bundle of Nerves” is a catch phrase.

106. Phraseologism Kondrashka had enough

Phraseologism“Kondrashka has had enough” used in the meaning - someone died suddenly, passed away (about apoplexy, paralysis). There are several versions of the origin of the phrase: 1) the phraseological unit goes back to the name of Kondraty Bulavin, the leader of the popular uprising on the Don in 1707; 2) Kondrashka in the expression is a euphemistic name for death, serious illness, paralysis, characteristic of popular superstition.

107. Phraseologism Horses are not changed at the crossing

Phraseologism“They don’t change horses midstream” used to mean - at a decisive moment for a matter, they do not change either plans or people. The phraseology “Don’t change horses in midstream” is a catchphrase.

108. Phraseologism Consuls, be careful!(caveant consules!)

Phraseologism“Consuls, be vigilant!”. When the situation of the Roman Republic became alarming for some reason, the Senate, a meeting of the nobility, transferred dictatorial power to the highest dignitaries of the state - the consuls. At the same time, in a solemn atmosphere the formula was pronounced: “Kaveant consules, ne quid rei publice detrimenti capiat!” - that is: “Let the consuls be vigilant so that no damage is caused to the republic!”

The first words of this formula were detached from it and acquired the meaning: “let’s increase vigilance,” “beware,” “be on the alert.”

109. Phraseologism The concert is over

Phraseologism"The concert is over" used to mean the end of an action. The phraseological unit “The concert is over” is a catch phrase.

110. Phraseologism The horse did not lie

Phraseologism"The horse didn't lie down" used to mean - work has not started. The phraseological unit “The horse did not lie down” is a catch phrase.

111. Phraseologism Smoke the sky

Phraseologism “Smoke the sky” used in the meaning - to live without a goal, to exist. The phraseological unit “Smoke the sky” is a catch phrase.

112. Phraseologism Corridors of Power

Phraseologism “Corridors of Power”- about the highest political spheres where the most important political decisions are made.

The emergence of a phraseological unit is the title of a novel by the English writer and scientist Charles Percy Snow (1905-1980).

113. Phraseologism Feed breakfast

Phraseologism"Feed breakfast" used to mean - repeatedly promising to do something the next day or in the near future and not keeping promises. The phraseological unit “Feed breakfast” is a catch phrase.

114. Phraseologism In short

Phraseologism"In short" used before stating the essence of the matter. The phraseological unit “In short” is a catch phrase.

115. Phraseologism Pretend to be yourself

Phraseologism"Perform yourself" used in the sense of pretending to be. The phraseological unit “Porture yourself” is a catch phrase.

116. Phraseologism Oblique fathom in the shoulders

Phraseologism“Oblique fathoms in the shoulders”. In ancient times, man looked for measures of length on his own body.

An inch is the joint of a finger, a cubit is the length of the ulna; English “foot” means “foot”*: our “span” or “quarter” is equal to the distance between the ends of the spread thumb and index fingers...

The Russian “sazhen” has the same origin - the distance between the ends of the fingers of an adult man’s widely spaced hands. “Oblique fathom” is the longest: from the sole of the foot to the end of the fingers of the opposite hand extended upward. That is why to say about a person “he has slanting fathoms in his shoulders” is the same as calling him a hero, a giant.

As a curiosity, the king's foot used by the English is the length of King John's foot. An English yard (91.4 centimeters) is nothing more than a length equal to the distance from the tip of the nose to the end of the middle finger of the outstretched hand of another English king - Henry I.

117. Phraseologism Mow from the army

Phraseologism"Mow away from the army" used to mean - to evade military service. The phraseological unit “Mow from the army” is a catch phrase.

118. Phraseologism You can’t collect your bones

Phraseologism“You can’t collect your own bones”. Strange words: who can collect their own bones and when?

However, as with many sayings, traces of ancient beliefs can be found here; Once upon a time this expression had a literal meaning.

Here in Homer’s “Iliad” the river god Xanthus scares the Greeks, promising to drown the hero Achilles so much, to cover him so much with sand, silt and stones that “the Greeks will not collect his bones.” And it was very necessary to collect bones: after all, the ancients believed in the afterlife of man and believed that in other world he must have with him all the members of his body.

Otherwise, his “shadow” (soul) will restlessly circle over those places where his bones decay without burial. The ancients were afraid to deny funeral rites even to their enemies. The threat of Xanth was a terrible threat.

According to an ancient habit, even now, wanting to threaten a person with something terrible, we promise him such a death that he “will not even gather his bones.”

119. Phraseologism Pig in a poke

Phraseologism"Pig in a poke". “Buying a pig in a poke” means: purchasing something without knowing anything about the advantages or disadvantages of the purchase.

This saying is the fruit of French wit. Probably, thanks to its imagery, even unexpectedness, it has firmly taken root in the Russian language, and in English (though the British replaced the cat with a pig), and in German.

Interestingly, the Germans created several variations of this expression. So, about a person who has foisted some worthless thing on another, they say that he “sold a pig in a poke.”

Another expression widely used in German speech is: “letting the cat out of the bag,” that is, making something secret obvious, something unknown known. The phraseological unit “Pig in a poke” is a catch phrase.

120. Phraseologism Wall cat

Phraseologism"Valak's cat" used to mean lazy.

121. Phraseologism The cat cried

Phraseologism"The cat cried" used in the meaning - very little, a little. The phraseological unit “The cat cried” is a catch phrase.

122. Phraseologism Schrödinger's Cat

Phraseologism"Shroedinger `s cat" used to mean a state of uncertainty of something (someone). In about the 35th century of the 20th century, Nobel laureate, one of the founding fathers of quantum mechanics, Erwin Schrödinger, came up with a model experiment that now roams throughout all textbooks of quantum physics and is called “Schrödinger’s Cat.” The experiment is as follows. A closed box is taken, a live cat is placed in it, and so that it does not get bored, a flask with poisonous gas and a device that breaks the flask if a decay event occurs in a radioactive source, also located in the box, are placed in the box with it. The stopwatch is turned on, and a time interval is selected so that the probability of decay is 50%. This means that if such a terrible experiment is repeatedly carried out, then half of the cats will survive, and half will live long. If we conduct the experiment repeatedly and collect statistics, then apart from 50% of the death of cats we will not learn anything new and there is nothing to argue about in this case. Schrödinger was interested in something else. If an experiment with a single cat is considered, then, according to the principles of quantum mechanics, it should be assumed that until the box is opened, nothing can be said about whether the cat is alive or dead; the cat is considered to be in a third, special state: it is neither alive nor dead. Scientifically speaking, the vector of a cat’s state can collapse in two ways: towards life and towards death. We can say that there is nothing new in this, the box is closed, and ordinary everyday events happen to the cat that we simply do not see. But no! It’s like a mixture of two states, a situation that human logic, coming from Aristotle, cannot cope with. Aristotelian logic is two-valued: yes or no. Specialists in quantum mechanics introduced the third term into the logic: maybe. This is so unusual that “Schrödinger’s cat” has not left the pages of the scientific press for more than half a century.

123. Phraseologism Down the drain

Phraseologism"Down the drain" used to mean - in vain. The phraseological unit “Down the drain” is a catch phrase.

124. Phraseologism A waking nightmare

Phraseologism"Watching Nightmare" used to mean the embodiment of terrible fantasies. The phraseological unit “Waking nightmare” is a catch phrase.

125. Phraseologism Out of the corner of my eye

Phraseologism"Out of the corner of my eye" used in the meaning - inattentively. The phraseological unit “Out of the corner of the eye” is a catch phrase.

126. Phraseologism Cornerstone

Phraseologism"Foundation stone" has the meaning: 1. Foundation, foundation of something. 2. The basis, the main idea of ​​something. There are several versions of the origin of this turnover:

1. Expression from the Bible: “I lay in Zion a stone, a tried stone, a cornerstone, a sure foundation” (Isaiah 28:16).

2. The expression came to the Russian language from Old Church Slavonic, the original meaning was “a stone lying at the foundation of something.” the buildings".

3. The expression was borrowed by the Old Church Slavonic language from ancient Greek, where it was a two-word term (from akron “top”, “edge, end”, “border” and horia “corner”) and goes back to a construction term.

Cornerstone Ancient architects who built with stone found it especially difficult to fit the corners of buildings. The stones laid here were called “cornerstones” and were adjusted especially carefully.

Little by little, people transferred the expression “cornerstone” to all the most important things in any kind of work: “The periodic table is the cornerstone of chemistry,” “Logic is the cornerstone of philosophy.”

The gospel tells a parable. One stone during construction seemed worthless to the architects. And when it was necessary to build a corner, it was he who came up and became the head of the corner” (that is, “the cornerstone”). “Put at the forefront” now means: “recognize something as the most essential - the basis of the entire structure, put at the foundation.” The phraseological unit “Cornerstone” is a catch phrase.

127. Phraseologism Land of unafraid idiots

Phraseologism “Land of unafraid idiots.” An ironic phrase about strange, narrow-minded people. The emergence of a phraseological unit - from the “Notebooks” of the Soviet writer Ilya Ilf (1897-1937): “The land of unafraid idiots. It's time to scare."

128. Phraseologism Seditious thought

Phraseologism"Seditious thought" used to mean intrigue, intrigue. The word sedition is borrowed from Church Slavonic, the original source, apparently, is in the Germanic languages ​​karm (“complaint, lament”). The phraseological unit “Seditious thought” is a catch phrase.

129. Phraseologism Let the red rooster go

Phraseologism"Let the red rooster go". Among the Slavs, the rooster was the embodiment of fire: the god of fire was often depicted in the form of a red, fiery rooster. It is difficult to say why this happened: perhaps for the reason that this bird greets the dawn, the sunrise, with its singing; perhaps because the roosters of the oldest breeds of chickens wear red-fiery plumage. One way or another, there was a belief that during a thunderstorm, a red rooster jumps off a cloud together with lightning and this causes a fire...

In Russian, “let the red rooster fly” has long meant: to commit arson, to deliberately start a fire in someone else’s house.

The red rooster walked widely and freely around the landowners' estates during the days of riots and popular uprisings, accompanied Stepan Razin, and helped Emelyan Pugachev. In “wooden” Russia, it was one of the most powerful means in the struggle between rich and poor.

130. Phraseologism Red word

Phraseologism"Red Word" used in the meaning of a witty, apt expression; bright, expressive words. The phraseological unit “Red Word” is a catch phrase.

131. Phraseologism runs like a red thread

Phraseologism"The red thread runs through". When one thought or one mood permeates the speaker’s entire speech, or is felt in literary work, or arises again and again in a person’s activity, they say: “This always runs like a red thread through him.” Why red and not white or blue? Where did this image come from?

It turns out that it entered the speech of several peoples from a very unexpected area - from the language of English sailors of the late 18th century. Since 1776, by order of the Admiralty, factories began to weave one thread along their entire length into all the ropes of the English navy - red. They wove it in such a way that it was possible to pull out the thread only by destroying the rope itself. Thus, no matter how small a piece of the rope was cut off, it was always possible to recognize that it was naval. This is where the habit of talking about the red thread came from as the very essence, a constant sign.

To run like a red thread - about any clearly prominent, dominant thought, idea in something. The expression goes back to Goethe’s novel “Wahlverwandtschaften” (1809), Russian translation “Kind Natures”. In the novel, the heroine’s sympathies, which permeate her entire diary, are compared to a red thread that was woven into the ropes of the English navy: “...through Ottilie’s entire diary stretches a red thread of sympathy and affection...” (since 1776, all the ropes of the English navy were woven in factories one red thread along the entire length to protect the ropes from theft). The phraseology “Red Thread Runs Through” is a popular expression.

132. Phraseologism Red pencil

Phraseologism"Red pencil" used to mean a reduction in funds for social needs.

133. Phraseologism Brevity is the sister of talent

Phraseologism “Brevity is the sister of talent” used as advice to express your thoughts briefly, because this makes it easier for a person to understand.

The emergence of phraseological units - from a letter (1889) of A.P. Chekhov (1860-1904) to his brother Alexander:

“My advice: in a play, try to be original and as smart as possible, but don’t be afraid to seem stupid; What is needed is freethinking, and only that freethinker is one who is not afraid to write nonsense. Don't lick, don't polish, but be clumsy and impudent. Brevity is the soul of wit".

134. Phraseologism Die Hard

Phraseologism"Toughie". Everyone knows the proverb “It’s a tough nut to crack” and the saying “It’s too tough to crack”. A “nut” is always something that is difficult to force, influence or understand.

These expressions, according to some researchers, arose in connection with the capture by Peter I of the Swedish fortress of Notebberg, in the past the Russian city of Oreshk.

The history of the name of this city is interesting. In ancient times, the Finns called the settlement at the sources of the Neva “Pyahkinalinna”, that is, “Nut Fortress”: there were probably a lot of thickets around hazelnut. The Novgorodians, having established themselves at the southern exit from Ladoga, translated this Finnish word simply as “Nut”. The Swedes, who then captured Oreshek, replaced its name with their own: the fortress became “Noteborg”, that is, again, “Nut Castle”. Finally, Peter I, having returned Russia to its old possession, also returned its old name. However, he gave it a new understanding: “a fortress that will be a hard nut for the teeth of any opponent.” After all, taking Nut himself was not easy for him. No wonder, when reporting to Moscow about the capture of Noteborg, Peter I wrote:

“It’s true that this nut was very strong, but, thank God, it was happily gnawed...” The phraseological unit “Die Hard” is a catch phrase.

135. Phraseologism Strong in hindsight

Phraseologism“Strong in hindsight” used in relation to a person who is not able to think and make the right decision on time. The turnover is actually Russian in origin. Seen as a result of contamination of expressions with hindsight and thinking with hindsight. The phraseological unit “Strong in hindsight” is a catch phrase.

136. Phraseologism Godfather

Phraseologism"Godfather" has the meaning: 1. The first educator, mentor of someone in a particular business or profession. 2. Giving a name to something newly discovered or invented. 3. Mafia leader. The phraseological unit “The Godfather” is a catch phrase.

137. Phraseologism Crusade

Phraseologism"Crusade". In the 11th-13th centuries, Western noble knights marched to Palestine many times.

The reason for these campaigns, called “crusades,” was the conquest of Jerusalem and other cities of Palestine, where, according to legend, the “Holy Sepulcher” was located.

In fact, the knights went to Asia to enrich themselves. They wanted to re-open the routes to rich India that had been seized by the Arabs; and they were inspired to do this by European merchants and the Catholic clergy. They gathered motley, multinational knightly detachments, fierce warriors and robbers with crosses sewn on their cloaks. Phraseologism " Crusade" is a catch phrase.

138. Phraseologism Cry of the soul

Phraseologism"Cry from the heart" has meanings: 1. Expression of mental pain, something accumulated in the soul. 2. A strong, irresistible desire to do something, to accomplish something.

Tracing paper from the French le cri du coeur. From the Judaic religion, according to the ideas of which, the soul, parting with the body, screams so loudly that the cry spreads throughout the entire earth. However, the human ear is unable to hear it. Phraseologism “Was there a boy?” is a catch phrase.

139. Phraseologism Blood grudge

Phraseologism"Blood grudge" used to mean a very serious offense that deeply affects a person. The expression is actually Russian. Initially, “an insult washed away with blood,” that is, an insult for which one was killed or challenged to fight. The phraseological unit “Blood grudge” is a catch phrase.

140. Phraseologism The blood in my veins runs cold

Phraseologism"The blood in my veins runs cold" used to mean - very scary. Phraseologism “The blood runs cold in your veins” is a popular expression.

141. Phraseologism Blood with milk

Phraseologism"Blood with milk" used in relation to a ruddy, healthy person. An expression from Russian folklore, which combines folk ideas about the beauty of color: red as blood and white as milk. In Rus', a white face and blush on the cheeks have long been considered a sign of beauty, which was evidence of good health. The phraseological unit “Blood with milk” is a catch phrase.

142. Phraseologism Crocodile tears

Phraseologism"Crocodile Tears" used to mean feigned tears, insincere regrets. The expression arose in Russian as a result of the literal translation of the complex German word Krokodilstranen. The first entry is in Weismann’s “German-Latin and Russian Lexicon” in 1731. The appearance of the corresponding education in German associated with the belief that when a crocodile devours a person, he cries (cf. in the “Azbukovnik” of the 18th century: The crocodile is an aquatic beast.. When a person is about to eat, then he cries and sobs, but does not stop eating).

The ancient Egyptians considered Nile crocodiles to be carriers of divine evil. They were fed and spells were spoken to them to pacify their anger. The bloodthirstiness and cunning of the crocodile gave rise to amazing fantasies. The ancient Greek scientist Aelian wrote in his zoological treatise that a crocodile, taking water into its mouth, pours it on the steep paths along which people and animals descend to the river. As soon as the victim slips and falls, the crocodile jumps up to him and devours him.

Others said that the monster, having swallowed the body of a man, for some reason always wets his head with tears and only then ends his terrible feast.

In one of the Russian “Azbukovniki” - a kind of dictionary of the 17th century - this ancient belief was retold as follows: “The crocodile is an aquatic beast... Whenever a person has to eat, then he cries and sobs, but does not stop eating, and tearing his head from the body, in vain (that is, looking at her) cries.”

Even in ancient times, this “hypocrisy” of crocodiles gave rise to the emergence of an expression known among all nations. Crocodile tears are fake tears, fake regrets.

Well, still, does the story about tears have any basis?
Do crocodiles pour them or are they just a figment of the wild imagination of the ancients?
The answer to this is not so simple.

The author of the satire “In Praise of Stupidity,” Erasmus of Rotterdam (16th century), believed that when a crocodile sees a person, it is not tears that flow, but salivation. Four centuries passed, but until recently no one had learned anything reliable about crocodile tears. Their secret was recently unraveled by Swedish scientists Fange and Schmidt-Nilsson. It turned out that crocodiles are indeed whiny creatures. But this is caused by an excess not of feelings, but of salts. The crocodile has developed special glands to remove excess salts from the body; the excretory ducts of these glands are located right next to the eyes of the crocodile. So it turns out: these glands started working - and the crocodile “cryed” with burning salty tears.

So, crocodile tears are not tears of deceit and hypocrisy, and, strictly speaking, not tears at all. But the expression associated with the ancient error lives in the language and will certainly remain in the speech of peoples for many centuries.

Why should the language abandon it? Whether crocodiles cry or not, there are many people who love to shed streams of feigned tears for any reason, tears flowing from human eyes, but in essence the concept is “crocodile”. The phraseological unit “Crocodile tears” is a catch phrase.

143. Phraseologism Mutual responsibility

Phraseologism"Peaceful responsibility". It usually happens like this: if I have committed an offense, then I am also responsible for it - my friends or neighbors have nothing to do with it.

But in the old Russian village the law of mutual responsibility was in force: if one committed an offense, “the whole world” was responsible for it, that is, the peasant community.

If one refused to participate with others in something illegal, according to the authorities, he still had to bear responsibility according to the rule: “one for all, all for one.”

Now, of course, nothing like this exists in our country (only the Nazis introduced this barbaric law on the occupied land, shooting and burning entire villages when even one fascist soldier was killed by someone), but the expression “mutual responsibility” still lives. True, we use it in a different sense: they talk about it where lawbreakers, out of fear of their comrades, the law, and the court, cover up each other’s crimes. The phraseological unit “Mutual responsibility” is a catch phrase.

144. Phraseologism A grain of truth

Phraseologism"A Piece of Truth" used to mean - very little truth. The phraseological unit “A grain of truth” is a catch phrase.

145. Phraseologism Winged words

Phraseologism"Winged words". Homer's expression. He called all words “winged” because from the mouth of the speaker they seem to fly to the ear of the listener. The same figurative expressions, quotes and idioms that we now call catchphrases, so called by the German scientist Georg Buchmann on the grounds that they became widespread, flying as if on wings from mouth to mouth.

146. Phraseologism Who would speak

Phraseologism"Look who's Talking" used in a situation where the judge himself is in the same situation and acts opposite to his words. The phraseological unit “Who would speak” is a catch phrase.

147. Phraseologism He who was nothing will become everything

Phraseologism “Who was nothing will become everything.” An ironic phrase about people who undeservedly occupy high positions, with a hint that they too will achieve something more outstanding in life.

The emergence of a phraseological unit is from the poem “The International” (1871) by Eugene Potier (1816-1887). The words are a paraphrase of famous biblical lines, the words of Jesus Christ: “The first will be last, and the last will be first.”

148. Phraseologism Who goes to the forest, who gets firewood

Phraseologism“Some go to the forest, some get firewood” used to mean inconsistency in joint actions. The emergence of phraseological units - from the fable of I.A. Krylova (1769-1844) “Musicians” (1808). The phraseological unit “Who goes to the forest, who gets firewood” is a popular expression.

149. Phraseologism He who seeks will always find!

Phraseologism “He who seeks will always find!” used as encouragement when the search for something has taken too long.

The emergence of a phraseological unit - from the song “The Cheerful Wind”, composer I. Dunaevsky, poems by V. I. Lebedev-Kumach:

“Who is used to fighting for victory,
Let him sing with us:
“He who is cheerful laughs,
Whoever wants it will achieve it.
Who seeks will always find".

150. Phraseologism He who is not with us is against us

Phraseologism “He who is not with us is against us” used as a warning to those who take a neutral position.

The emergence of phraseological units comes from the Bible. The New Testament says: “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.”

151. Phraseologism Where the eyes look

Phraseologism"Where the eyes look" used to mean - in any direction, anywhere. The phraseological unit “Where the eyes look” is a catch phrase.

152. Phraseologism Where a horse with its hoof goes, there goes a crayfish with its claw

Phraseologism“Where a horse goes with its hoof, there comes a crayfish with its claw.” used in relation to someone who is trying to catch up in some matter with someone who is smarter (more important, stronger).

153. Phraseologism Where the curve will take you

Phraseologism“Wherever the curve takes you” used in the meaning - let it be as it turns out, as it happens; come what may. The full form of the expression is where a crooked horse will take you, where crooked means “lame.” Riding such a horse is a risky business: it may or may not take you to your destination. The phraseological unit “Where the curve will take you” is a catch phrase.

154. Phraseologism Where Makar didn’t drive his calves

Phraseologism “Where Makar didn’t drive his calves” used to mean - very far. The name Makar in many proverbs is associated with a poor, unhappy person. Perhaps Makar is a poor, landless peasant, forced to graze other people's calves on the most abandoned and desolate pastures. The place where even Makar never drove his calves is even further away. Before the revolution, the expression was used jokingly about political exile. The phraseology “Where Makar didn’t drive his calves” is a catchphrase.

155. Phraseologism Kuzkina's mother

Phraseologism"Kuzka's mother". Once, an unkind overseas guest heard the words “show Kuzka’s mother” in a conversation with a Russian. "What it is?" - he turned to his translator. He puzzled for a long time and finally said: “Show Kuzma’s mother.” - “Who is Kuzma?” The translator spread his hands.

The difficulty experienced by the translator is quite understandable: after all, idioms are unique expressions, indecomposable and unchangeable, the meaning of which does not depend on the meaning of their constituent words.

So it is in this case. “Kuzka’s mother” is not “Kuzma’s mother” at all, and “showing Kuzka’s mother” does not mean putting her on display or introducing her to guests.

What is the origin of this idiom? It must be admitted that our linguists have not yet made a serious attempt to explain it. Most often, this phraseological unit is associated with unhealthy relationships between the owner and employees during mutual settlements and the resulting grievances and threats (see the expression “to cheat” and “to trick”).

Have you heard about the bread bug, which is popularly called “kuzka”, and scientists call it Anisoplia austriaca? This is a small dark green insect with red-brown elytra, quite harmless in appearance. That's what those who don't know him closely think, at least. In fact, the kuzka, with its gluttony, can easily compete with the locust and was therefore considered the most terrible scourge for the peasants.

It swooped down on cereals in clouds, sucked out young grains of rye, oats and wheat and, having devastated one area, moved to the next. No matter how they fought with him - they scared him away with a rope, collected him with their hands, destroyed his eggs and pupae - but all these measures did not bring any visible results. Nowadays they are successfully fighting the problem with chemical means and no one takes it seriously anymore. And before, the notoriety made the pest bug even the hero of one not very pleasant saying.

Promising someone to “let the pig in” meant causing trouble, annoyance, harm (compare the expression “putting the pig down”).

Well, if Kuzka is dangerous, then “Kuzka’s mother” is even more dangerous. It is no coincidence that the derivative from the word “mother” - seasoned (enemy, criminal) means: cunning, experienced, notorious, full of strength.

This is how, perhaps, the expression “show Kuzka’s mother” was born - a synonym for a stern warning, a threat. Maybe readers know another, more convincing explanation of the phrase being analyzed? That would be great. The phraseological unit “Kuzka’s mother” is a catch phrase.

156. Phraseologism Swimming in money

Phraseologism"Swimming in money" used to mean - to be very rich. The phraseological unit “Swimming in money” is a catch phrase.

157. Phraseologism Bath in gold

Phraseologism"Bathing in Gold" used to mean - to be very rich. The phraseological unit “Bathing in gold” is a catch phrase.

158. Phraseologism Bath in luxury

Phraseologism"Bathe in luxury" used to mean - to be very rich. The phraseological unit “Bathe in luxury” is a catch phrase.

159. Phraseologism Kuram for laughter

Phraseologism"Chickens laugh" used to mean - funny, no good. The phraseological unit “Kuram for laughter” is a catch phrase.

160. Phraseologism Smoking incense

Phraseologism"Smoke incense". This is the same as incense, a fragrant resin that is burned to produce fragrant smoke in churches during worship. In ancient times, incense was “burned” not only in front of the altars of the gods, but also during ceremonies at court. These incense were usually accompanied by praise to the one in whose honor incense was burned and incense was burned.

“Smoking incense” to this day (now only in a figurative sense) means: to give all kinds of honors, to sing praises, to praise exorbitantly and enthusiastically. For us, this expression is close to such as “hallelujah to sing”, “akathist to sing”.

161. Phraseologism Chicken paw

Phraseologism"Chicken paw" used to mean crooked, ugly handwriting. The phraseological unit “Chicken paw” is a catch phrase.

162. Phraseologism The goose that lays the golden eggs

Phraseologism “The goose that lays the golden eggs” applied to something that has the property of generating a stable income.

The primary source is the fable of the ancient Greek fabulist Aesop (VI century BC) “The Goose Laying the Golden Eggs”:

“One man especially honored Hermes, and for this Hermes gave him a goose that laid golden eggs. But he did not have the patience to get rich little by little: he decided that the inside of the goose was all gold, and, without thinking twice, he slaughtered it. But he was deceived in his expectations, and from then on he lost his eggs, because he found only giblets in the goose.”

163. Phraseologism Kursk nightingale

Phraseologism"Kursk Nightingale". The nightingale is the favorite bird of the Russian people, a feathered master of the first rank. Russians have long had connoisseurs of nightingale singing: they not only had a fine understanding of its “knees,” but strictly distinguished between different nightingale “schools.” Nightingales from the central part of Russia, especially from the outskirts of Kursk, were considered the best craftsmen. Therefore, they were valued above others in the bird market, and the very combination of words “Kursk nightingale” began to be used in a laudatory sense to excellent singers, and in a mocking sense to sweet-voiced and pretentious talkers.

164. Phraseologism Cook's children

Phraseologism "Cook's children"- about children from poor, low-income families. The emergence of a phraseological unit - “Circular about cook’s children” - the unofficial name of the circular “On the reduction of gymnasium education” (1887), developed by the Minister of Education Ivan Davydovich Delyanov (1818-1897) and subsequently approved by Emperor Alexander III (1845-1894). ).

This circular stipulated that only wealthy children could be admitted to the gymnasium and pro-gymnasium, and “the children of coachmen, footmen, cooks, laundresses, small shopkeepers and the like, who, with the exception of those gifted with extraordinary abilities, should not be taken out of an environment to which they belong,” that is, not allowed to participate in training.

Bathing in gold Razg. Express Be extremely rich; not to be denied anything. - Go, go to him... Young and poor. To a beggar! You, my soul, have become accustomed to your life... But I don’t hold you back, not at all. With me, swimming in gold, you are unhappy, but with him you will be happy?!(A. Prikhodko. Old husband).

Phraseological dictionary of the Russian literary language. - M.: Astrel, AST. A. I. Fedorov. 2008.

See what “Bathe in gold” is in other dictionaries:

BATH IN GOLD- who, what To have huge sums of money, to be fabulously rich. It is understood that the amount of funds significantly exceeds the needs of their owner. This means that a person or group, including those united by a common... ...

bathe- Bath in gold (colloquial) trans. be extremely rich. All her life she dreamed of swimming in gold... Phraseological Dictionary of the Russian Language

BATHE- BATH, swim, swim, I’m not sure. (to bathe). Immerse yourself in water (bath, river, sea) for washing or to improve health or for pleasure. He takes a bath every day. While swimming, he swam, dived, floundered, splashed. ❖… … Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary

bathe- verb., nsv., used. compare often Morphology: I bathe, you bathe, he/she/it bathes, we bathe, you bathe, they bathe, bathe, bathe, bathed, bathed, bathed, bathed, bathing, bathed, bathing; St. bathe... ... Dmitriev's Explanatory Dictionary

bathe- I’m wondering, I’m wondering; nsv. 1. (St. to bathe; colloquial. to bathe). When immersed in water, wash, swim, splash. K. on the lake, in the river, in the sea. K. in the bath. K. until he turns blue (for a very long time, until the body becomes very cold). K. in gold (to be extremely... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

bathe- a/y, a/e; nsv. see also bathing, bathing 1) (st. you/swim; unwind, swim) When immersed in water, wash, swim, splash. Swim in a lake, in a river, in the sea. Ku... Dictionary of many expressions

gold- A; Wed 1. Chemical element (Au), a noble heavy soft malleable metal of yellow color (widely used in industry, medicine, jewelry, etc.). Get z. Store h. in ingots. Place gold dental crowns. Change... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

gold- A; Wed see also gold, gold, gold 1) Chemical element (Au), a noble heavy soft malleable metal of yellow color (widely used in industry, medicine, jewelry, etc.) Mine gold/lotto. Store with... Dictionary of many expressions

bathe- I’m wondering, I’m wondering; nesov. (Soviet. take a bath and colloquially take a bath1). When immersed in water, wash, swim, splash. If I could swim, I would swim while looking intently at the river, Lenka said. M. Gorky, Grandfather Arkhip and Lenka. On the shore under... ... Small academic dictionary