{"id":176590866,"date":"2018-10-15T11:50:57","date_gmt":"2018-10-15T18:50:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lingq.com\/blog-new\/?p=176590866"},"modified":"2026-03-25T14:33:01","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T21:33:01","slug":"russian-idioms-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lingq.com\/blog\/russian-idioms-2\/","title":{"rendered":"29 Russian Idioms to Get Your Head Around"},"content":{"rendered":"

Idioms are phrases with overall meanings that are different than the meaning of the words that make them up. Just like in English, there are hundreds of weird and wonderful Russian idioms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In English, when you say \u2018<\/span>It\u2019s raining cats and dogs<\/span><\/i>\u2019 you don\u2019t imply that cats and dogs are falling from the sky. <\/span>Every native English speaker knows you are talking about heavy rain. However, to a Russian speaker who is on an English language learning journey, this expression does not make any sense.<\/span>
\n\"20<\/span><\/p>\n

The same is true for Russian idioms. Since there are Russian words that don’t exist in English<\/a>, many idioms don’t make sense even when they are translated. In this post, we will consider that most frequently used Russian phraseological expressions and hopefully you’ll get to understand at least a few of them.<\/span><\/p>\n

29 Common Russian Idioms<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The best way to learn idioms is in context, and that’s exactly how you learn on LingQ. The Russian library is packed full of lessons on all kinds of topics. You could even use the idioms below and make your own lesson. That way you can translate the words and phrases and add them to your personal Russian dictionary. Check it out!<\/p>\n

\"Learn<\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

\u0414\u0435\u043b\u0430\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437 \u043c\u0443\u0445\u0438 \u0441\u043b\u043e\u043d\u0430\u00a0 [d<\/span>e<\/b>lat’ iz m<\/span>u<\/b>khi slan<\/span>a<\/b>]<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

This literally means \u2018to make an elephant out of a fly\u2019.<\/span>
\nIts English equivalent would be \u2018To make mountains out of molehills\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u041d\u0435 \u0432 \u0441\u0432\u043e\u0435\u0439 \u0442\u0430\u0440\u0435\u043b\u043a\u0435\u00a0 [ni v svay<\/span>e<\/b>y tar<\/span>e<\/b>lki]<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

This idiom can be translated as \u2018(to be) not in one\u2019s own plate\u2019.<\/span>
\nThe idiom means \u2018to be like a fish out of water\u2019, to feel uncomfortable in a situation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u0417\u0430\u0442\u043a\u043d\u0443\u0442\u044c (\u043a\u043e\u0433\u043e-\u0442\u043e) \u0437\u0430 \u043f\u043e\u044f\u0441 [zatkn<\/span>u<\/b>t’ (kago ta) za p<\/span>o<\/b>yas]<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This one is translated as \u2018to put (someone) under one\u2019s belt\u2019.<\/span>
\nThe expression means \u2018to outshine someone\u2019, \u00a0\u2018get the better of sb.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

\u041e\u0441\u0442\u0430\u0442\u044c\u0441\u044f \u0441 \u043d\u043e\u0441\u043e\u043c\u00a0 [ast<\/span>a<\/b>t’sya s n<\/span>o<\/b>sam]<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

It literally means \u2018be left with the nose\u2019 and in fact suggests that someone failed at something, was fooled around or did not get an expected result. A similar English expression used in this context: \u2018be left holding the bag\u2019 or \u2018be duped\u2019.<\/span>
\n\"20<\/p>\n

\u0412\u043e\u0434\u0438\u0442\u044c \u0437\u0430 \u043d\u043e\u0441 [vad<\/span>i<\/b>t’ z<\/span>a<\/b> nos]<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Another idiom about noses. This means ‘to lead (someone) grabbing at their nose’, \u00a0to fool around with someone.<\/span>
\nNow it\u2019s time to explain the etymology of this idiom. In the past, during bazaars and outside fairs, gypsies would bring tame bears with them and make them perform. The animals had their noses pierced, and the owners would lead the bears holding on to a ring through their noses. Thus, animals had no chance but to obey.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u0413\u0434\u0435 \u0440\u0430\u043a\u0438 \u0437\u0438\u043c\u0443\u044e\u0442 [gde r<\/span>a<\/b>ki zim<\/span>u<\/b>yut]<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

This idiom is translated as \u2018where crawfish hibernates\u2019 and is usually used in the following context: “I will show you where crawfish hibernates”. What a Russian person means by saying this is that they want to punish you cruelly for something or teach you a lesson.<\/span><\/p>\n

Originally, Russian landlords considered shellfish to be a delicacy, especially when caught in winter. Because crawfish are hard to catch (the water was freezing), they sent peasants who had committed a crime to catch them. That\u2019s how the idiom came about.<\/span>
\n\"29<\/p>\n

\u041a\u043e\u0433\u0434\u0430 \u0440\u0430\u043a \u043d\u0430 \u0433\u043e\u0440\u0435 \u0441\u0432\u0438\u0441\u0442\u043d\u0435\u0442 <\/b>[kagd<\/span>a<\/b> rak na gar<\/span>e<\/b> sv<\/span>i<\/b>snit] <\/span><\/h3>\n

Another idiom featuring crawfish. This means ‘when a crawfish whistles on the mountain’ and means it’s never going to happen. The English equivalent is \u2018in a pig’s eye\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u0414\u0430\u0442\u044c \u0437\u0443\u0431 <\/b>[dat’ zub] <\/span><\/h3>\n

This one means ‘to give a tooth’: you swear your words are true, and you are even ready to sacrifice your tooth as proof.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u0414\u043e\u0439\u0442\u0438 \u0434\u043e \u0440\u0443\u0447\u043a\u0438 <\/b>[dayt<\/span>i <\/b>da r<\/span>u<\/b>chki] <\/span><\/h3>\n

This idiom means ‘to reach the handle’ or \u2018to reach rock bottom\u2019. The handle refers to the part of a traditional Russian bread that was not eaten as it had been held by different people. The handle was given to dogs or poor people. So if someone ‘reached the handle’, that meant they were eating leftovers that dogs normally ate.<\/span>
\n\"20<\/p>\n

\u0418 \u0435\u0436\u0443 \u043f\u043e\u043d\u044f\u0442\u043d\u043e <\/b>[I izh<\/span>u<\/b> pan<\/span>ya<\/b>tna] <\/span><\/h3>\n

Translates to: ‘even a hedgehog understands’. The idiom means \u2018it\u2019s a no-brainer\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u041d\u0438 \u0440\u044b\u0431\u0430 \u043d\u0438 \u043c\u044f\u0441\u043e <\/b>[ni r<\/span>y<\/b>ba ni m<\/span>ya<\/b>sa] <\/span><\/h3>\n

This means ‘neither fish nor meat’ and is used to describe a mediocre person. It can also be translated as \u2018wishy-washy\u2019 or \u2018wimp\u2019 in some contexts.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u041a\u043e\u0442 \u043d\u0430\u043f\u043b\u0430\u043a\u0430\u043b <\/b>[kot napl<\/span>a<\/b>kal]<\/span><\/h3>\n

This idiom means \u2018very little\u2019 or \u2018hardly enough\u2019 and translates to ‘cat wept’.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u041e\u0434\u043d\u0430 \u043d\u043e\u0433\u0430 \u0437\u0434\u0435\u0441\u044c, \u00a0\u0434\u0440\u0443\u0433\u0430\u044f \u0442\u0430\u043c <\/b>[adn<\/span>a<\/b> nag<\/span>a<\/b> zd<\/span>e<\/b>s’, drug<\/span>a<\/b>ya tam] <\/span><\/h3>\n

The literal translation of this idiom is \u2018one leg is here, another leg is there\u2019. A Russian speaker would use this idiom to give someone an order to go and fetch or do something really quickly.<\/span>
\n\"20<\/p>\n

\u0414\u0432\u0430 \u0441\u0430\u043f\u043e\u0433\u0430 \u043f\u0430\u0440\u0430 <\/b>[dva sapag<\/span>a<\/b> p<\/span>a<\/b>ra] <\/span><\/h3>\n

This idiom suggests that two people are very similar in their behaviour or have the same characteristics. The English equivalent is \u2018cut from the same cloth\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u0414\u0435\u043d\u0435\u0433 \u043a\u0443\u0440\u044b \u043d\u0435 \u043a\u043b\u044e\u044e\u0442<\/b> [d<\/span>e<\/b>nig k<\/span>u<\/b>ry ne klyu<\/span>yu<\/b>t]<\/span><\/h3>\n

The translation of this idiom: ‘chickens don\u2019t peck at money’. The phrase is used to denote that someone is wealthy. It\u2019s hard to find a logical explanation for this idiom!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u0413\u043b\u0430\u0437\u0430 \u0440\u0430\u0437\u0431\u0435\u0433\u0430\u044e\u0442\u0441\u044f <\/b>[glaz<\/span>a <\/b>razbig<\/span>a<\/b>yutsya] <\/span><\/h3>\n

This one means ‘eyes scatter’ and is applied when there is a wide choice , and you don\u2019t know what to lay your eyes on first. Anyone who goes shopping to their favourite shoe store during the sales knows that feeling.<\/span>
\n\"20<\/p>\n

\u041e\u0434\u043d\u043e\u0439 \u043b\u0435\u0432\u043e\u0439<\/strong> [adn<\/span>o<\/b>y l<\/span>e<\/b>vay] <\/span><\/h3>\n

This phrase means that a person can complete something with their left hand, i.e., a task is very easy and translates to ‘with one left’. The English equivalent is \u2018single-handedly\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u0412 \u0443\u0441 \u043d\u0435 \u0434\u0443\u0442\u044c <\/strong>[v<\/span> us ni dut’]<\/span> <\/b><\/h3>\n

This idiom has a similar meaning to the English \u2018not turn a hair\u2019, i.e., when a person does not give a damn. The translation is roughly ‘not to blow at the whisker’. <\/span>
\n\"Learn<\/a><\/p>\n

\u0421\u043f\u0443\u0441\u0442\u044f \u0440\u0443\u043a\u0430\u0432\u0430 <\/strong>[spust<\/span>ya<\/b> rukav<\/span>a<\/b>] <\/span><\/h3>\n

This idiom translates in English to ‘with sleeves rolled down’. It means that a job or atask was done carelessly or badly, without giving it proper attention. The opposite English idiom is \u2018to roll up your sleeves\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u0412 \u0448\u043e\u043a\u043e\u043b\u0430\u0434\u0435<\/strong> [v \u00a0sheka<\/span>la<\/b>de]<\/span><\/h3>\n

This phrase is usually used in the context \u2018everything is in chocolate\u2019 or \u2018everything will be in chocolate\u2019. As you might have guessed, this means to have a comfortable life without any hardships.<\/span>
\nWork is not a wolf, it won\u2019t escape into the forest<\/span><\/i>.<\/span>
\nPlainly put, take a break from work! It\u2019ll be there when you come back. What I want to know is: how many wolves were Russians letting escape into the forest? Were Russians really that bad at keeping wolves?<\/span>
\n\"Russian<\/p>\n

\u0412\u043e\u0442 \u0433\u0434\u0435 \u0441\u043e\u0431\u0430\u043a\u0430 \u0437\u0430\u0440\u044b\u0442\u0430<\/strong><\/h2>\n

That\u2019s where the dog is buried.<\/span><\/i>
\nA rather morbid way of saying that you\u2019ve discovered to the root of the problem. Clearly, not only were Russians bad at keeping wolves, but they were also terrible at burying their dogs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u0414\u0440\u0443\u0436\u0431\u0430 \u0434\u0440\u0443\u0436\u0431\u043e\u0439, \u0430 \u0442\u0430\u0431\u0430\u0447\u043e\u043a – \u0432\u0440\u043e\u0437\u044c<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Friendship is friendship, but let\u2019s keep our tobacco apart. <\/span><\/i>
\nUnderstandably, friends are all well and good until money – or tobacco – gets involved.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Learn<\/a><\/p>\n

\u041b\u044e\u0431\u043e\u0432\u044c \u0437\u043b\u0430, \u043f\u043e\u043b\u044e\u0431\u0438\u0448\u044c \u0438 \u043a\u043e\u0437\u043b\u0430<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Love is mean, you could fall in love with a goat<\/span><\/i>.<\/span>
\nThe general idea is that you don\u2019t choose who you love. In Russian, anything is possible and you could fall in love with a goat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u0412 \u0441\u0435\u043c\u044c\u0435, \u043d\u0435 \u0431\u0435\u0437 \u0443\u0440\u043e\u0434\u0430<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There\u2019s an ugly person in every family<\/span><\/i>.<\/span>
\nSo the English equivalent is being the \u201cblack sheep\u201d, which I think I prefer, because I feel sorry for whoever inspired <\/span>this <\/span><\/i>particular idiom. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u0414\u0443\u0440\u0430\u043a\u043e\u0432 \u043d\u0435 \u0441\u0435\u044e\u0442, \u043d\u0435 \u0436\u043d\u0443\u0442, \u0441\u0430\u043c\u0438 \u0440\u043e\u0434\u044f\u0442\u0441\u044f<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Fools are not sown nor reaped, they appear by themselves.<\/span><\/i>
\nPossibly my favourite saying, and so cutting. No one makes fools, but they\u2019re everywhere. Imagine how you could insert <\/span>this <\/span><\/i>into a conversation?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u0413\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0440\u044f\u0442, \u0447\u0442\u043e \u043a\u0443\u0440 \u0434\u043e\u044f\u0442<\/strong><\/h2>\n

They say they milk chickens.<\/span><\/i>
\nDon\u2019t believe everything you hear. However, starting a rumour that someone milks chickens would make for some interesting gossip.<\/span>
\n\"Russian<\/p>\n

\u0418\u0441\u043f\u043e\u0434\u0432\u043e\u043b\u044c \u0438 \u043e\u043b\u044c\u0445\u0443 \u0441\u043e\u0433\u043d\u0451\u0448\u044c<\/strong><\/h2>\n

You can bend an alder-tree if you do it slowly.<\/span><\/i>
\nAn alder tree is a tree which belongs to the birch family. Russians <\/span>love <\/span><\/i>birch trees, and an alder tree one is a particularly big one. The idea of this is that you can do anything if you have enough time. Even bend a giant tree.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u041d\u0435 \u0434\u0435\u043b\u0430\u0439 \u0438\u0437 \u043c\u0443\u0445\u0438 \u0441\u043b\u043e\u043d\u0430<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Don\u2019t make an elephant out of a fly.<\/span><\/i>
\nSo\u2026we say \u201cdon\u2019t make a mountain out of a molehill\u201d but Russians clearly had bigger ideas. Molehills? Mountains? Pfft. Try flies and elephants and get back to us.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u041f\u0435\u0440\u0432\u044b\u0439 \u0431\u043b\u0438\u043d \u0432\u0441\u0435\u0433\u0434\u0430 \u043a\u043e\u043c\u043e\u043c<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The first pancake is always a blob.<\/span><\/i>
\nRussians love their <\/span>blini<\/span><\/i>, and the <\/span>blini <\/span><\/i>have not escaped the Russian idiom! The first pancake is always a bit rubbish, but the second, third and fourth get better and better. So, I guess, we have to crawl before we can walk.<\/span>
\n\"Russian
\nTry and pepper these throughout your conversations\u2026<\/span>
\nNothing will make a Russian happier than hearing you embrace their odd sayings. Try a few out on some Russian friends, there are plenty more out there that you can get your hands on! <\/span><\/p>\n

Russian Idioms on LingQ<\/h2>\n

Using LingQ (available for both\u00a0Android<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0iOS<\/a>) you can import your favorite Russian idioms and create organized study lessons either on your computer or on mobile. As you can see below, I’ve added a few Russian idioms from this post into LingQ. By clicking each word (or sentence), LingQ will pull up a dictionary to help me know what I am reading. I can also click on the audio icon to hear how the word is pronounced. Also, every word or sentence that I click on automatically gets saved into my vocabulary library which I can review later.
\n\"Learn<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

More than Just Russian Idioms<\/h2>\n

If you have found Russian content that you enjoy, you can also import that into LingQ (as long as you have the transcript). Podcasts are great for this.<\/p>\n

For example, Real Russian Club<\/a>\u00a0is a great podcast and provides audio and transcripts that can easily be imported into LingQ and turned into an interactive lesson. You can follow along and read the transcript, listen to the audio, and save new vocabulary you come across. It’s not only more organized to study this way but also more enjoyable.
\n\"Learn
\nThe best way to get Russian idioms to stick is to meet them in the wild, not on a list, but mid-sentence in a podcast, a story, or a video where the context makes the meaning click. That’s exactly how LingQ works. Read and listen to real Russian content, save any idiom you come across as a LingQ, and watch it turn from unfamiliar to obvious over time. The Russian library has content from beginner to advanced. Try LingQ free and start learning Russian from content you love.<\/a><\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Ievgeniia Logvinenko holds a Master\u2019s degree in English philology and is passionate about languages. In addition to English, she speaks Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, German and basic French.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Idioms are phrases with overall meanings that are different than the meaning of the words that make them up. Just like in English, there are hundreds of weird and wonderful …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":176591639,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[44],"tags":[90,105],"class_list":["post-176590866","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-learning-russian","tag-basic-russian","tag-english"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n20 Russian Idioms to Get Your Head Around<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Are you studying Russian? 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