Phraseologism “Negligent attitude” used to mean a careless, inattentive attitude towards someone or something. Negligent - a derivative of robe "home clothes". A person in home clothes is not inclined to think seriously and cannot perform important work efficiently and accurately. The phraseological unit “Negligent attitude” is a catch phrase.

2. Phraseologism Ham tram

Phraseologism “Tram boorish” used in the meaning - initially “a person who behaves rudely and impudently on a tram or in public transport.” The use of the adjective tram is due to the fact that the tram was one of the first (and busiest) types of public transport. A tram boor is an ill-mannered “person whose manners are similar to those people who behave impudently and rudely on public transport.

3. Phraseologism Chameleon

Phraseologism "Chameleon"- about a two-faced, hypocritical person who always changes his behavior patterns and his own worldview depending on the environment he finds himself in.

A chameleon is a type of lizard that can change the color of its skin.

4. Phraseologism Stop picking your nose

Phraseologism “Stop picking your nose used to mean - stop doing empty things!

5. Phraseologism Kher cross out

Phraseologism “Cross out the devil” used in the meaning - to put an end to something, to completely put an end to something. The image is based on the external resemblance of the letter X (“her”) with a cross, two intersecting lines that cross out what is written as unnecessary (cf. put a cross, poherit “liquidate, destroy”)

6. Phraseologism Bread and Circuses

Phraseologism "Bread and Circuses". The author of the expression is the Roman satirist Juvenal (Decimus Junius Juvenal, c. 60 - c. 127), who, denouncing his contemporaries (the times of Emperor Augustus), in his 7th satire writes that they can be bought quite cheaply: give them bread and spectacles (literally: circus games).

Already in ancient times (the period of the reign of Emperor Nero), these words began to be perceived as a symbolic expression of the interests of the plebeian masses, the crowd. The phraseology “Bread and Circuses” is a catch phrase.

7. Phraseologism Don’t feed bread

Phraseologism “Don’t feed me bread” used to mean an enthusiast. The phraseological unit “Don’t feed me bread” is a catch phrase.

8. Phraseologism Bread and salt

Phraseologism “Bread and salt” used to mean hospitality, cordiality. The phraseological unit “Bread and salt” is a catch phrase.

9. Phraseologism The abysses of heaven (opened up)

Phraseologism “Heavenly abysses” used to mean heavy rain, downpour. The phrase goes back to the biblical story of the Great Flood, which was accompanied by downpours for forty days and nights. Abyss (obsolete) - abyss, depth.

10. Phraseologism Knight's move

Phraseologism "Knight's move" used in the sense of a decisive means that is used as a last resort; a resourceful and cunning act that makes unexpected changes in a difficult situation. The reverse is a tracing paper from the French jouer le cavalier. Associated with the speech of chess players. The movement of the knight - along a broken line - differs sharply from the movement of the other figures; this makes it difficult to observe him, makes his attacks less predictable, as if insidious, which creates an unexpected situation on the board. The phraseological unit “Knight's move” is a catch phrase.

11. Phraseologism Beat around the bush

Phraseologism “Beating around the bush” used in the sense of not touching the point. The phraseology “Beating around the bush” is a catch phrase.

12. Phraseologism Walking like a gogol

Phraseologism “Walking Gogol” has meanings: 1) about a smart, emphatically cheerful and self-confident person walking around; 2) (folk, disapproved) about a loafer walking proudly, arms akimbo. The phrase was formed by comparing a person with a diving duck (dilektnoe gogol), which on land walks slowly, waddles, throwing its head back.

13. Phraseologism Walk on hind legs

Phraseologism “Walk on hind legs” used in the meaning - to servilely please, to curry favor, to please someone (usually to the “right” people). The expression is one of many phraseological units in the Russian language associated with a dog. Goes back to Krylov’s fable “Two Dogs”. The figurative meaning of the phrase follows from the plot of the fable, in which a dog that pleases its owner receives from him much more love and benefits than a faithful watchdog performing difficult service. The phraseology “Walk on your hind legs” is a catch phrase.

14. Phraseologism Walk left

Phraseologism “Walk to the left” used to mean - to fornicate. The phraseological unit “Walk to the left” is a catch phrase.

15. Phraseologism Walking on the edge of a knife

Phraseologism “Walking on the edge of a knife” used to mean - to take risks. The phraseological unit “Walking on the edge of a knife” is a catch phrase.

16. Phraseologism Walk in line

Phraseologism “Toe the line” used to mean strict discipline. The phraseological unit “Toe the line” is a catch phrase.

17. Phraseologism Walk with ferret

Phraseologism “Walk as a ferret” used to mean - to put on airs.

18. Phraseologism Pretty little by little

Phraseologism “Little by little” used to mean moderation in pleasures. The phraseology “Little by little” is a catch phrase.

19. Phraseologism A good shepherd shears his sheep, but does not skin them

Phraseologism “A good shepherd shears his sheep, but does not skin them” used as a reminder to the country's leadership that tax policy in the country should be moderate and not exceed the boundaries of reason.

The emergence of the phraseological unit is the response of the Roman emperor Tiberius (42 BC - 37 AD) to the governors of Rome in the provinces, who turned to the emperor with a request for another increase in taxes for the population.

Phraseologism in Latin: “Boni pastores est tondere pecus, non deglubere.”

20. Phraseologism he who laughs last laughs best

Phraseologism “He who laughs last laughs best” used as a warning to a person who ridicules and criticizes other people, but in the end risks being proven wrong himself.

The emergence of phraseological units comes from the fable of the French writer and fabulist Jean Pierre Florian (1755-1794) “Two Peasants and a Cloud.” In French: “Rira bien qui rira le dernier”, which can literally be translated: “He who laughs last will laugh best.”

The expression gained popularity in Russia after the production of the opera “The Postman from Longjumeau” by the French composer Adolphe Charles Adam (1803-1856), in which this phrase appears.

In English there are similar sayings: “He who laughs last laughs best” (“He who laughs last laughs best”) and “He laughs best who laughs last” (“He who laughs last laughs best”), as well as the phraseological unit derived from them is “Last laugh, have the” (“Laugh last”).

21. Phraseologism We wanted the best, but it turned out as always

Phraseologism “We wanted the best, but it turned out as always” used to refer to any actions taken that are carried out with positive intentions, but either do not produce any effect or even lead to even worse consequences.

A similar phrase: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

The emergence of phraseological units - words spoken by the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Viktor Stepanovich Chernomyrdin (1938-2010) in a television interview (August 1993) regarding the implementation of the 1993 monetary reform. In the original the phrase sounded: In the original: “We wanted the best, but it turned out as always.”

Despite the fact that Chernomyrdin became famous as a “speaker of aphorisms,” the authorship of this particular phrase is questioned by many, they say, it was known long before, and Viktor Stepanovich only paraphrased it.

22. Phraseologism Believe it or not

Phraseologism “Believe it or not” used in the meaning - information for thought. The phraseology “Believe it or not” is a catch phrase. The emergence of a phraseological unit is the name of a collection of funny cases by the American journalist Robert LeRoy Ripley (1893-1949), which is very popular in America.

23. Phraseologism At least henna

Phraseologism “At least henna” used in the meaning - it doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t matter. The phraseological unit “At least henna” is a catch phrase.

24. Phraseologism Even if there is a stake on your head

Phraseologism “Even if there’s a stake on your head” used to mean a stubborn person who cannot be persuaded. Phraseologism is originally Russian, acts as a figurative and humorous characteristic of the strength, hardness of the head of a stubborn person: cut a stake - “sharpen a stick (stake) with an ax.” The phraseological unit “At least a stake on your mother’s head” is a catch phrase.

25. Phraseologism A dime a dozen

Phraseologism “At least a dime a dozen” used to mean a lot. The phraseological unit “At least a dime a dozen” is a catch phrase.

26. Phraseologism At least take out the saints

Phraseologism “At least take out the saints” used to mean - there is no strength to endure anything; unbearable, unbearable for others. Saints are icons in ancient Russian usage. The essence of the proverb, even if you endure the saints, is the conviction that reverence for an icon should protect it from the contemplation of everything obscene, sinful, or from being present at indecent events. Carrying out the saints or at least closing the icon in the corner with a special curtain, as was customary among the Old Believers - such measures were taken so that the saints would not see the outrages committed by people: drunkenness, fights, domestic squabbles.

27. Phraseologism Even though the grass does not grow

Phraseologism “Even though the grass doesn’t grow” used to mean indifference to consequences. The phraseological unit “Even though the grass does not grow” is a catch phrase.

28. Phraseologism For the life of me, I don’t know

Phraseologism “For the life of me, I don’t know” used in the meaning - I don’t know exactly. The phraseological unit “For the life of me, I don’t know” is a catch phrase.

29. Phraseologism Keep as the apple of your eye

Phraseologism “Keep as the apple of your eye” used to mean - to carefully protect something. An Old Slavonic expression, from the Bible: “Keep me as the apple of your eye” (Psalms 16, 8 - Byzantine writer Klimak). Zenitsa is the pupil. The phraseological unit “Keep as the apple of your eye” is a popular expression.

30. Phraseologism Worse than bitter radish

Phraseologism “Worse than bitter radish” used in the meaning - very strongly, unbearably (bored). In Rus', radish, like turnips, was one of the everyday foods. They ate radishes especially often during long fasts, and then the radishes became especially boring. The phraseological unit “Worse than a bitter radish” is a catch phrase.

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Outdated Simple Greetings to those caught eating. Having greeted Larion, he says: “Your Grace’s bread and salt!” “Sit down and have a meal with us,” Froska invites good-naturedly.(Novikov-Priboy. Extra). They are in one place [students] we came across a bunch of workers who... were cooking porridge on the shore. “Bread and salt!” - They say. - “Eat bread and salt”(Pomyalovsky. Essays on the bursa). Phraseological dictionary of the Russian literary language. - M.: Astrel, AST A. I. Fedorov 2008

Meanings in other dictionaries

Bread and salt!

Outdated Simple Greetings to those caught eating. Having greeted Larion, he says: “Your Grace’s bread and salt!” “Sit down and have a meal with us,” Froska invites good-naturedly (Novikov-Priboi. Superfluous). In one place they [the students] came across a bunch of workers who... were cooking porridge on the shore. “Bread and salt!” - They say. - “To eat bread and salt” (Pomyalovsky. Essays on the bursa). Phraseological dictionary of Russian language...

Daily bread

Express High 1. The most necessary means for life, for existence. People think about more than just their daily bread. They care not only about themselves, but also about the nature of their region (I. Ryabov. Years and People). 2. Anything most important, vital. A new reader is emerging, a mass one, for whom literature is not the amusement of well-fed people, but their daily bread (The Wanderer. Maxim Gorky). - From a prayer in the Gospel...

Bread and salt

BREAD AND SALT. 1. Traditional folk name for treats (various types of food and drinks). [Peter:] Accept matchmakers, Prince Roman Borisovich. [Buinosov:] Delighted, dear matchmakers. Sit down, dear matchmakers. Do not disdain our bread and salt (A.N. Tolstoy. Peter the First). 2. Food; care, care. Freezing, Nadya rose to meet her. But the grandmother did not pay any attention to her, but approached Olga...

The Russian people have always been distinguished by their hospitality and cordiality. The attitude towards guests in Rus' was special. Guests, even random ones, were treated with honor and respect. It was believed that the traveler who looked into the house had seen a lot on his way, knew a lot, and had a lot to learn from him. And if the guest enjoys the warm welcome, then from his words the good fame of the owner of the house and of Rus' will spread throughout the world.

The main task of the owner was to feed his dear guest as best as possible; the best dishes were presented to him. The sayings “What is in the oven, everything is on the table”, “Even though he is not rich, he is glad to have guests”, “Don’t feel sorry for the guest, pour him thicker” have survived to this day.

If the upcoming meeting of guests was known in advance, then preparations began several days in advance. There was a custom to greet dear guests at the doorstep with bread and salt. Usually the bread, always laid on a clean towel (rushnyk), was brought out to the guests by the hostess of the house or the woman to whom the loaf was baked. At the same time, the towel indicated the path that the guest had taken. In addition, it symbolized God's blessing. Bread and salt were symbols of wealth and well-being, and salt was also attributed the properties of a “amulet.” To greet a guest with “bread and salt” meant to invoke God’s mercy on him and add your wishes for goodness and peace. However, guests could also bring bread and salt into the house, expressing special respect for the owner and wishing him prosperity and prosperity.

“Every traveler was, as it were, sacred for the Slavs: they greeted him with affection, treated him with joy, saw him off with reverence...”
N.M. Karamzin.

Traditional Russian meal

If guests were received in the house, the meal began and followed a certain scenario. The table, which was literally bursting with a variety of dishes, was located in the “red corner” next to the stationary benches attached to the wall. There was a belief that those sitting on these benches enjoyed the special protection of saints.

According to tradition, the hostess of the house appeared at the beginning of the meal, dressed in her best attire. She greeted the guests with a bow to the ground. The guests bowed in response and, at the owner’s suggestion, came up to kiss her. According to long-established custom, each guest was given a glass of vodka. After the “kissing ritual,” the hostess went to a special women’s table, which served as a signal for the start of the meal. The host cut off a piece of bread for each guest and sprinkled it with salt.

It is impossible to imagine a Russian table without bread and salt: “Without salt, without bread there is a bad conversation”, “Bread on the table, so the table is the throne”, “Not a piece of bread, and there is melancholy in the mansion, but there is no bread, so there is no bread.” fir is paradise”, “Without bread there is death, without salt there is laughter.”

By refusing to share “bread and salt” with the owners of the house, one could cause them an indelible offense. During the meal, it was customary to treat the guests intensively. And if the guests ate little, the hosts persuaded them to try this or that dish by kneeling.

And today we meet with “bread and salt”

Our people are still open, hospitable and welcoming. And the tradition of greeting dear guests not only with a welcoming word, but also with bread and salt has been preserved to this day. For example, on the wedding day, the mother of the groom presents the newlyweds with a wedding loaf - a symbol of pure thoughts and good intentions. This means that the parents accept a young wife into the family, with whom they now have to live next to each other and share all the troubles and joys.

Of course, in its pure form, the ceremony is more often used at official meetings or at festive, solemn moments. For example, residents of the city greet their dear guests with a festive loaf of bread.

The tradition of greeting newlyweds with bread and salt is rooted in the deep past. At the same time, even today, most families do not neglect this ritual and are happy to prepare a delicious loaf and place a salt shaker with crumbly spices on it, preparing for the marriage of their son.

About the tradition of bread and salt

The parents of the newly-made husband greet their young daughter-in-law with bread and salt. The fact is that before, a woman who got married was accepted into her husband’s family and lived with him in the large house of his parents. Immediately after the wedding ceremony, the young couple went to their husband’s, where the bride was supposed to taste bread and salt. This symbolized that her father-in-law accepted her into their home, their family, their hearts.

Before tasting a piece of loaf, parents blessed their children with an icon. Then the husband and wife took turns biting off a piece of bread, dipping it in salt and feeding it to each other. Whose piece turned out to be larger was considered the master in the young family. After this, the groom picked up the newlywed in his arms and carried her into the house. The half-eaten loaf was wrapped in a napkin and taken to church. It was believed that this would bring peace and love to the children's family.

About the tradition of welcoming newlyweds with bread and salt

Nowadays, life has changed a lot, but the tradition remains. Only in a slightly modified version. Often, the groom's parents meet the newlyweds with a loaf of bread not in their home, but at the door of the restaurant where the wedding is planned. This is due to the fact that it is not always convenient to go to the house of the husband’s parents, and to the fact that young families mostly live independently, without parents.

During the bread-biting ceremony, guests sprinkle the newlyweds with sweets, coins and flower petals. Which symbolizes the wishes of the young family for a sweet, happy life, financial well-being, love and tenderness.

After the newlyweds have taken a bite of the loaf, they often break it in half and give it to the bride and groom. They simultaneously begin to feed the guests; whoever completed the task faster is the breadwinner in the house.

Bread and salt

Since ancient times, both of these products have been held in special esteem in Rus'. Bread has always been a food included in the daily diet of almost every person and has enjoyed special respect and reverence. Salt was considered a scarce and expensive product. They were even prescribed special magical properties. Thus, salt, according to popular belief, can protect against all evil spirits, and bread helps to establish peace and friendship between people.

An offer to taste bread and salt speaks of the friendliness and hospitality of the hosts. Refusal of the offered treat was regarded as a serious insult.

Tip 3: How did the tradition of greeting guests with bread and salt arise?

The tradition of greeting dear guests with bread and salt has existed in Rus' for a long time. In part, it continues to this day. To this day, it is customary to greet newlyweds with bread and salt. On especially solemn occasions, delegations arriving from other cities and countries are greeted with bread and salt. Thanks to this wonderful tradition, the fame of Russian “hospitality” began - the ever-present ability to receive guests with dignity.

Symbolism of bread and salt

In Ancient Rus', bread was a symbol of wealth and prosperity. Salt was given special attention: it was considered a talisman against evil spirits. Greeting the guest with bread was the beginning of a long and cordial friendship. If for some reason a guest refused to accept “bread and salt,” this was considered a terrible insult to the hosts.

During the meal, instead of the modern wish “Bon appetit!”, the sound was “Bread and salt!” It was believed that this helps drive away evil spirits. They took bread and salt with them. Even kings could send gifts of bread and salt from their tables to their subjects as a sign of their highest mercy.

In those distant times, much more bread and salt were consumed in food than now. Perhaps this is why the saying arose: in order to get to know a person better, you need to eat a pound of salt with him.

Salt is more valuable than gold

Some Russian language researchers believe that the word “salt” comes from the ancient name of the Sun, which sounded like “Solon”. There were many folk signs and superstitions associated with salt. For example, spilling salt was considered a bad omen. It arose because salt in Rus' was a very expensive product. The salt shaker was placed on the table only for very dear guests. If the guest is accidental or - what good! - deliberately spilled salt, this was considered a sign of disrespect for the owners. That’s why they still say: “Spilling salt means a quarrel!”

Since salt not only does not spoil itself, but also helps preserve other foods, it was also considered a symbol of immortality. Perhaps this is why the pagans tried to carry a bag of salt with them to protect against witches and other evil spirits.

The Slovak fairy tale “Salt is more valuable than gold” tells about the importance of salt in the life of Slavic peoples. Her heroine, Princess Marushka, compared her love for her father with her love for salt, thereby causing terrible anger on his part. Only when there was no salt left in the entire kingdom, which magically turned into gold, did the king-father fully realize his mistake.

When the newlyweds are greeted with bread and salt during the wedding ceremony, the groom's parents thus express their readiness to accept their son's wife into the family. At the same time, the ruddy loaf must be presented on a beautiful embroidered towel, symbolizing purity and bright thoughts.

Despite the fact that the tradition of welcoming guests with bread and salt is very ancient, it has not left Russian culture to this day and has become a symbol of hospitality as one of the best qualities of the Russian people.

Video on the topic

Phraseology is a very interesting and fascinating section of the language. Getting acquainted with the origin of individual phraseological units, you are amazed at the wisdom of the people, the flexibility of their minds and imaginative thinking. Let's look at some examples of such collective creativity of the people.

Freeze

In pre-revolutionary Russia, the Greek language was taught. When teachers were dissatisfied with their students’ answers, they often uttered the word “moros,” which meant “stupidity” in Russian. This word came into use, transforming into “freeze” - “to say something stupid” (namely “to say”, not “to do”).

All over Ivanovskaya

At the Ivan the Great Bell Tower in Moscow, all thirty bells rang on church holidays; the ringing could be heard throughout half of Moscow. “To all Ivanovskaya” began to mean “to call (shout, make noise) very loudly, at the top of your lungs.”

Getting into trouble

In a carding machine there is a hole - a drum with teeth. The wool carders, being careless, could get their hand into a hole, and this was an extremely unpleasant sensation, and they could even lose their hand. “To get into trouble” has changed over time not only in spelling (the noun with a preposition was transformed into the derived adverb “to get into trouble” and began to be written together with the prefix), but also acquired a somewhat softened, not so harsh meaning: “to get into trouble” now simply means “ to get into an awkward position” rather than to get into trouble.

Where do crayfish spend the winter?

Of the several versions about the origin of this phraseological unit, the most reliable seems to be that especially guilty people were sent to get delicious crayfish in winter, since there was a high probability of getting pneumonia. “Showing where crayfish spend the winter” meant forcing them to climb into a winter pond. At the same time, the person did not have the opportunity to make an excuse, saying that he searched, but did not find such places.

Goal like a falcon

This phraseological unit puzzles many: why is the “falcon naked” plucked, or what? And the answer is simple: the “falcon” here is not a bird at all, but a smoothly trimmed log, a battering weapon. There were no knots, jagged edges or bumps allowed on it - in the heat of battle, warriors could have injured their hands.

The reinterpretation of the expression is such that it denotes the poverty of someone, the lack of even the necessary.

Long box

Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, wanting to be known as kind and sympathetic, started a special long-shaped box for petitions (petitions) at the facade of the palace in Kolomenskoye so that petitioners could drop their notes into it. The boyars were responsible for delivering petitions to the king. They not only delayed petitions, but often completely “lost” some if they contained complaints against themselves.
If the resolution of a case is delayed, they now say “the case has been shelved.”

Tobacco case

Phraseologism has the meaning of the threat of failure of some business. It goes back to the times of barge haulers in Rus'. The barge haulers tied a tobacco pouch around their necks so as not to get wet when they pulled the barge. If the water level near the river bank rose and reached the chest, alarming cries were heard: “Taba-a-ak!”

Laces (balusters) sharpen, baluster

Balusters, balusters, lathes - these are all the names of figured posts for stair railings, which were made on lathes. The work was not difficult, the master did not require special attention to complete it, so he could afford to work and joke and joke at the same time.
Therefore, the established expression “sharpen your laces, play around” came into use precisely as “jolly joke.”

Tuck it into your belt

In Rus', the belt was a mandatory item of clothing for both men and women. As for the working people, for them it was not only a tribute to fashion, but also the need to deftly handle a tool, temporarily unnecessary to tuck into their belt, so that at the right moment they could use it again, without wasting time searching.
Additionally, a disparaging meaning appeared in this expression when it began to be used in relation to those less dexterous and skillful in any matter, equating it with an unnecessary thing: “I’ll put you in your belt!”

Shabby look

At first glance, the meaning of this phraseological unit is directly related to the inevitable soiling of clothes during lunch (meal) - even very neat people have encountered this trouble at least once. But there is a completely different version associated with the historical fact of the transfer of the weaving factory founded by Peter I to the merchant Zatrapeznikov. The factory produced cheap fabric for poor people and for household needs.
Later, the expression “He looks shabby” began to characterize unkempt people in wrinkled and unkempt clothes.

Kazan orphans

After the conquest of Kazan, Tsar Ivan the Terrible needed to gain the loyalty of the Tatars, and he spent a lot of money on appeasing them, generously gifting many of them. After this, some deprived people began to importunately demand rewards for themselves, pretending to be poor.
This gave rise to mockingly calling them “Kazan orphans,” which later “stuck” to all beggars.

You can’t lure with a roll

In Rus' until the 17th century. The main product for baking bread was rye flour. Rye bread was eaten by both the poor and the rich. Wheat flour was used only for baking kalachi and Easter cakes for the holidays, which was available only to the rich; for the poor it was an inaccessible delicacy.
Not to back down from a decision even with generous promises means to be adamant, not to give in to persuasion under any circumstances, even if they “lure you in with a roll.”

Gimp pull

In the old days, gold, silver and copper threads for embroidery were called gimp. They were made by hand back then. Threads were slowly and extremely carefully drawn from the hot metal, which should have the same thickness and uniform structure as they solidified. This could only be achieved by jewelry work at a slow pace.
Therefore, “gimp to pull”, “gimp” in an allegorical sense means “to hesitate”, “to hesitate”. Probably, the idiom “pushing the tires” appeared in a similar way.

The thief's hat is on fire

This phraseological unit has its own background: an old joke. It talks about an incident at the bazaar when, wanting to find a thief, people turned to a healer for help. The healer suddenly shouted: “Look, the thief’s hat is on fire!” One of those present involuntarily grabbed his head. This gave him away. He was the thief.
The expression “The thief’s cap is on fire!” now denotes a person who, by a careless action or word, has betrayed his unseemly actions or intentions.

Slurping not salty

In ancient Rus', salt was an expensive product; it was transported from afar and was valued very much, used carefully and economically. Food was salted directly at the table and often from the owner’s hand. And since “his own hand is the ruler,” the host generously salted the food of those guests who sat closer to him and were, of course, more noble. And those who sat on the far edge sometimes did not get any salt at all. And such a guest left, it turns out, “without a sip.”
Now this is what they say about an unsuccessful visit, where the guest was not given due attention and he did not achieve the desired result from his visit.

Not at ease

An example of how a phraseological unit can lead away from its meaning in a completely unexpected direction. This is a tracing-paper from French, where n’est pas dans son assiette is translated as “to be in a bad mood, not in the mood.” But the word assiette also has a second meaning – “plate”. However, it doesn’t even occur to us to think about some kind of utensil when we use this expression. We understand perfectly well that we are talking about some kind of awkwardness or bad mood, as well as other inconveniences.

Make a fool of yourself

The characteristic features of the Russian people in past centuries were modesty and shyness. An uncovered head for both men and women was considered unacceptable liberty and disgrace, especially if a person’s hat or scarf was torn off “in peace.” Hence the negative meaning of the expression “goof” - “get into an awkward position”, “disgrace yourself”.

From board to board

Doing some kind of work from start to finish is the same as reading a book “from cover to cover,” that is, from cover to cover. And in ancient Rus', the first books, still handwritten, had not leather or cardboard, but wooden covers.
Hence “from board to board.”

Find out the lowdown

In the old days, cruel torture was used for interrogation in prisons. One of the most sophisticated was the one when nails were driven under the nails. Few people could withstand such torment and gave out what they wanted from them. In other words, the information seemed to be obtained “from under the fingernails,” that is, it was “the inside story,” and it was extracted from there.

From the red line

The first Russian books were written by hand, and the initial letters of sections were painted with ornaments in red paint, sometimes including other colors. Each new paragraph began with a red letter. This line became known as the “red line”. The phraseological unit means “to start something new”, “to start over”.

Lost your mind

The meaning of this idiom is associated with the name of the Greek mountain Pantelik. In the numerous caves and grottoes formed by the work of marble miners, it was sometimes possible to get lost. Therefore, this expression is used in the sense of “deviating from the intended course,” but not in a literal, but in a figurative sense, for example, “losing the thread of reasoning” and the like.

Miracles in a sieve

Initially, the expression had the appearance of an amazing phenomenon: “Miracles: there are many holes in the sieve, but there is nowhere to get out.” Then it surprisingly shortened and acquired an ironic meaning: “Well, what miracles can there be in a sieve? Should you try carrying water?”

Walk trump

Advantage in a card game comes to mind. But no! The point is the boyar collar, which they sewed onto their festive caftan to distinguish themselves from the common people. Such gates were embroidered with pearls, gold and silver, stuck up impressively, giving importance to the person, making her posture proud, and were called “trump cards”. Hence, “to trump” means to “put on airs,” and “to trump” means to brag about something.

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Outdated Simple Greetings to those caught eating. Having greeted Larion, he says: “Your Grace’s bread and salt!” “Sit down and have a meal with us,” Froska invites good-naturedly.(Novikov-Priboy. Extra). They are in one place [students] we came across a bunch of workers who... were cooking porridge on the shore. “Bread and salt!” - They say. - “Eat bread and salt”(Pomyalovsky. Essays on the bursa). Phraseological dictionary of the Russian literary language. - M.: Astrel, AST A. I. Fedorov 2008

Meanings in other dictionaries

Sly as a fox

Cunning LIKE A FOX who. Razg. Express A very cunning, crafty, dexterous person. She only pretends to be like that, but she herself is as cunning as a fox (G. Matveev. Seventeen-year-olds). - You, Varvara, are a piece of cake... And this beast is like a fox. A cunning man (Yu. Bragul. New Day). Phraseological dictionary of the Russian literary language. - M.: Astrel, AST A. I. Fedorov 2008 ...

Cunning Mitrius

Simple Disapproved Cunning, rascal. The master was young, and Tyutin looked at him angrily: look, you cunning Mitri. Bring him different Somovs, and he will put his hands in his trousers (E. Katerli. Bronze spinning wheel). “Yeah,” muttered Zhivoy, “you’re a cunning trick in fooling women and orphaning children.” Where is the cunning Mitriy found, wait a minute, wait a minute to rejoice (B. Mozhaev. Alive). Phraseological dictionary of Russian...

Daily bread

Express High 1. The most necessary means for life, for existence. People think about more than just their daily bread. They care not only about themselves, but also about the nature of their region (I. Ryabov. Years and People). 2. Anything most important, vital. A new reader is emerging, a mass one, for whom literature is not the amusement of well-fed people, but their daily bread (The Wanderer. Maxim Gorky). - From a prayer in the Gospel...