This section of the magazine – “Moscow Vocabulary” – was born of remembering … Ronald Reagan, who appeared to be a fan – and collector – of Russian proverbs and sayings. Well, and we would like to guide you into a world of Russian idioms – just as bright and colorful.
КТО В ЛЕС, КТО ПО ДРОВА – kto v les kto po drova.
(Someone to the forest, someone to gather firewood)
Explanation: When there’s lack of coordination or harmony between people.
ПОРОХУ НЕ ВЫДУМАЕТ – porokhu ne vydumayet.
(He/she will not invent gunpowder)
Explanation: Usually said of a dull-witted, not very bright person.
РАБОТАТЬ НЕ ПОКЛАДАЯ РУК – rabotat’ ne pokladaya ruk.
(To work without giving rest to one’s hands)
Explanation: To work hard, tirelessly.
НАСТУПАТЬ кому-либо НА ПЯТКИ – nastupat’ na p’atki.
(To step on someone’s heels)
Explanation: To catch up with someone.
ЗНАТЬ что-либо ВДОЛЬ И ПОПЕРЁК – znat’ vdol’ i poperok.
(To know something lengthwise and crosswise)
Explanation: To know something very well.
ВЫЙТИ ИЗ ПЕЛЕНОК – vyyti iz pelonok.
(To come out of one’s swaddling-clothes)
Explanation: To become adult, to be on one’s own.
БЫТЬ НА СЕДЬМОМ НЕБЕ – byt’ na sed’mom nebe.
(To be in the seventh heaven)
Explanation: To be overfilled with joy.
ПРИПИРАТЬ кого-либо К СТЕНКЕ – pripirat’ k stenke.
(To press someone against the wall)
Explanation: To force someone to do or to admit something.
ПОЛОЖА РУКУ НА СЕРДЦЕ – polozha ruku na sertse.
(With one’s hand on one’s heart)
Explanation: To say something frankly.
ИМЕТЬ ГОЛОВУ НА ПЛЕЧАХ – imet’ golovu na plechakh.
(To have a head on one’s shoulders)
Explanation: To be able to think for oneself.
ЗНАТЬ МЕРУ – znat’ meru.
(To know the measure)
Explanation: To know when to stop.
ДУША НЕ НА МЕСТЕ – dusha ne na meste.
(One’s soul is not in its place)
Explanation: To be anxious.
