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< From the saying «Как собака на сене (лежит): (и) сама не ест и другим не

дает». (“Like a dog in a manger: he doesn’t eat and he won’t let others eat”).

Original source: Aesop’s fable.

КАЛИФ НА ЧАС (lit.) – a person who has received or wields power for a short

time – king (queen) for a day

< Loan translation: part of the title of the story from the Arabian Nights.

КАМЕНЬ ПРЕТКНОВЕНИЯ (lit. sing. only – an impediment, obstacle,

difficulty: stumbling-block

< From the Bible (Isa. 8:14, Rom. 9:32-33 et al.)

КАНУТЬ В ЛЕТУ (В РЕКУ ЗАБВЕНИЯ) (lit.) – to disappear completely, be

forgotten forever: swallow up by Lethe (in the river of oblivion); sink into oblivion

< From Lethe («Лета»), the name of a river in Hades. In classical mythology,

those who drank the water of Lethe – also called “the river of oblivion” («река

забвения») – forgot the past.

КАНЦЕЛЯРСКАЯ КРЫСА (coll., derog.) – a callous petty bureaucrat:

paper-pusher; pen-pusher; paper shuffler; office drudge

КАПЛЯ В МОРЕ (coll., sing. only) – an insignificant amount ( when compared

with the amount that is needed, was previously available etc.): – а drop in the bucket

(in the ocean)

КАРЕТУ МНЕ, КАРЕТУ! (lit.) – I need a carriage in a hurry : “The coach !

The coach !”; “I need a taxi now!”;

< From the classic play Woe from Wit (Grief through the Mind or Grief from

intelligence – «Горе от ума»), 1824 by Alexander Sergeyevich Griboyedov (alternative

transcription: Griboedov; Александр Сергеевич Грибоедов in Russian) (1795 – 1829).

He was a Russian diplomat, playwright, and composer. He is recognized a writer of one

book, whose fame rests on the brilliant comedy which is still one of the most often staged

plays in Russia. (Act IY, scene 14)

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КАРТА БИТА чья, кого – someone has experienced complete failure, ruin:

game is up (over) for someone; the jig is up for someone; one’s ace has been

trumped

КАША ВО РТУ у кого (coll.) – someone speaks unclearly, indistinctly: to

mumble; sounds like (as if) he’s got marbles in his mouth

КАШИ НЕ СВАРИШЬ / НЕ СВАРИТЬ с кем (coll., disapprov.) – you

will not be able to reach an agreement, accomplish anything etc. with someone: be

impossible to get along with someone; get nowhere (anywhere) with someone

КАШИ ПРОСЯТ (coll., a noun denoting heavy, sturdy footwear or individual

parts of shoes or boots) – someone’s boots (shoes etc.) are in bad condition, in need of

repair: its need mending; need to be taking to the shoemaker; have holes in them; in

need of repair; worn out

КВАСНОЙ ПАТРИАТИЗМ (lit.) – unquestioning dedication to, and

indiscriminate praise of, everything native, even outmoded life styles, manners, and

traditions: blind patriotism; jingoism; hurrah patriotism

К ЕДРËНОЙ (К ЕДРЕНЕ, К ЯДРËНОЙ) ФЕНЕ послать кого-что (

vulgarn.) – used to express anger, irritation, scorn directed toward someone or something,

or a desire to get rid of someone or something: damn it!; shove it; go to the hell !; to

(the) hell with you (him etc.)!; throw someone the hell out of here (there)

КИНУТЬ (БРОСИТЬ) ЯКОРЬ где, куда (human.) – to stop moving from

place to place and settle somewhere permanently or for a long period of time: cast (drop)

anchor; settle down; put down roots in some place

КИШКА ТОНКА у кого (substand., usually with infinitive after ) – 1.

someone does not have the strength, courage, ability, or know-how to do something: he

doesn’t have what it takes; one isn’t up to it!; one doesn’t have it in him; don’t get

the guts; not man (woman) enough; one’s muscle can’t match someone’s.

КЛЕВАТЬ НОСОМ (coll., human.) – (in refer. to a strong desire to sleep) to

hang one’s head, having dozed off for an instant: be (keep) nodding off (off to sleep);

keep nodding drowsily; be drowsy

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КЛИН КЛИНОМ ВЫШИБАЮТ (ВЫБИВАЮТ, ВЫШИБАЕТСЯ,

ВЫБИВАЕТСЯ) (saying: other finite forms and infinitives are also used) – the

undesirable consequences of some action are neutralized, some condition is remedied etc.

by the same means that brought about the consequences or gave rise to the condition:

fight fire with fire; like cures like; one nail drives out another; (in refer to a

hangover) a hair of the dog (that bit you, him etc.)

КНИГА ЗА СЕМЬЮ ПЕЧАТЯМИ для кого (lit., sing. only, often with это)

– something utterly incomprehensible, beyond someone’s ability to understand: it is a

sealed (closed) book to him; it’s a mystery to him; it’s beyond his comprehension

(understanding, reach, grasp)

< From the Bible (Rev.5:1)

КОЖА ДА КОСТИ / ОДНА КОЖА ДА КОСТИ (coll., these forms only,

human or anima, often with осталась, остались) – one is extremely thin, emaciated:

bag of bones; (nothing but) skin and bone(s)

КОЗЁЛ ОТПУЩЕНИЯ – a person (or group) blamed for the faults or

misdeeds of others: scapegoat ; whipping boy

< From an ancient Jewish rite described in the Bible. On Yom Kippur the high

priest laid his hands on the head of a goat, symbolically transferring the sins of the people

to it, and then let the goat loose in the wilderness. (Lev. 16:5-22)

КОНЕЦ – (ВСЕМУ) ДЕЛУ

ВЕНЕЦ (saying) – the successful conclusion of

some undertaking makes the undertaking on the whole a success: the end crowns the

work; all’s well that end a well

КОНТРОЛЬ НАД ВООРУЖЕНИЕМ – arms control; control of

armaments

КОПАТЬСЯ В (СВОЕЙ) ДУШЕ – be given to soul-searching

КОПАТЬСЯ В (СВОИХ) МЫСЛЯХ – go in for self-analysis

КОСАЯ САЖЕНЬ В ПЛЕЧАХ (coll., singular only, human.) – a person with

large, muscular shoulders: broad shouldered; (with) big broad shoulders; (one has)

broad shoulders

154

КОТ НАПЛАКАЛ кого-чего (coll.) – very little, very few: practically

(almost) no … (at all); practically none (nothing); nothing to speak of, next to

nothing; precious little

КРАЕУГОЛЬНЫЙ КАМЕНЬ чего (lit.) – the fundamental basis of

something, the most important part: cornerstone

КРАПИВНОЕ СЕМЯ ( derog.) – (often refer. to a group) an inferior, corrupt

bureaucrat or group of bureaucrats: pettifogger(s); tribe of quill-drivers; shyster(s);

pack of shysters

КРАСНА (КРАСНАЯ) ДЕВИЦА (coll.) – a very shy person: fair maiden;

bonny lass; (about a very shy and timid young man): shrinking violet; (be) like a shy

girl (maiden); (be) like a blushing virgin

КРАСНАЯ ДОСКА – board of honor

КРАСНАЯ ПЛОЩАДЬ (first word is capitalized) – the Red Square

< Тhe most famous city square in Moscow. The square separates the Kremlin, the

former royal citadel and currently the official residence of the President of Russia, from a

historic merchant quarter known as Kitay-gorod. As major streets of Moscow radiate

from here in all directions, being promoted to major highways outside the city, the Red

Square is often considered the central square of Moscow and of all Russia..

КРАСНАЯ ЦЕНА чему (coll., sing. only) – the most someone things that

something is worth, the highest price that someone would be willing to pay for

something: оutside price; maximum price; top (the best) price (dollar)

КРАСНОЕ СЛОВЦО (singular only) – a witty word or phrase that produces an

effect on the listeners: clever (scintillating) remark; art remark; flash of wit; quip;

one-liner; witticism

КРАСНЫЙ УГОЛОК – room in factories, etc. providing recreational and

educational facilities: “Red Corner”

< No English equivalent because it refers to Soviet or Russian realities.

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КРАСНАЯ ШАПОЧКА (lit.) – Little Red Riding Hood is a famous fairy tale

about a young girl's encounter with a wolf. It seems to be a strong morality tale, teaching

children not to “wander off the path”.

< From the widely known tale which is based on the Brothers Grimm version.

КРИЧАТЬ НА ВСЕХ ПЕРЕКРËСТКАХ (о ком-чëм) – to say or tell

something repeatedly, insistently, and for all to hear: shout about someone or

something from the housetops (from the rooftops, on every street corner); broadcast

(the fact) that …

КРОВЬ С МОЛОКОМ (coll., singular only) – 1. one is very healthy-looking,

with good facial color: the (very) picture of health; bursting with health; (have) the

freshest of complexions; (have) a country-fresh look; blooming (bursting) with

health; (of a woman) (as) fresh as a daisy (as the morning dew); (of a man) hale and

hearty; 2. лицо, щëки (someone’s face is, cheeks are) healthy-looking, rubicund:

(someone has) the freshest of complexions; like peaches and cream; red as a cherry;

ruddy

КРОКОДИЛОВЫ СЛËЗЫ лить, проливать (coll., used sarcastically or

mockingly) – (to shed) insincere tears, (to make) a false display of pity or sorrow: (shed)

crocodile tears

КРОМЕШНЫЙ МРАК; КРОМЕШНАЯ ТЬМА – total darkness: absolute

(impenetrable) darkness; pitch-darkness;

КРУПНЫЙ РАЗГОВОР –

angry exchange

КРУТИТЬ НОСОМ (highly coll., human, remain singular even when used with

plural subject) – to express dissatisfaction, disdain, reject something (sometimes in a

capricious manner): one is too picky (finicky); sneeze at; turn one’s nose up at

something ; (usually of children) one is (gets) fussy

К СЛОВУ, К СЛОВУ СКАЗАТЬ (ГОВОРЯ) (these forms only) – as an aside

or additional comment connected to or suggested by the topic at hand: by the way; by

the bye; incidentally; come to think of it; I should mention (that…)

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КТО НЕ РАБОТАЕТ – ТОТ НЕ ЕСТ. (saying) – He who does not work,

neither shall he eat.

КУДА ВОРОН КОСТЕЙ НА ЗАНОСИЛ (выслать, загнать кого,

попасть и т.д.) (coll., subordin. clause, usually after туда) – very far away, to a most

remote place: at the back of beyond; to the middle of nowhere; to the land of no

return

КУЙ ЖЕЛЕЗО, ПОКА ГОРЯЧО (saying) – take advantage of opportunity the

moment it comes – strike while the iron is hot; make hay while the sun shines.

КУРОЧКА ПО ЗЁРНЫШКУ (клюёт) (coll., adverb) – little- by- little; step-

by- step

К ЧЕМУ ...? (coll., used in questions and subord. Clauses, often without a verb)

– 1. for what purpose: what for?; whatever for?; what’s the use (the point) of …?;

what are you driving at?; what is (all) this leading to?; why on earth?;

2. what the significance or possible consequences of something are: what could

that mean? Why should this (that) be?

К ШАПОЧНОМУ РАЗБОРУ прийти, явиться, попасть и т.д. (coll.) – (to

arrive, appear etc.) at the very end or conclusion of something: come when the show is

over; some after the feast; miss the bus; when (as) things are coming to a close;

when everybody is leaving (is getting ready to leave); at the tail end (of a party,

meeting etc.)

ЛАРЧИК ПРОСТО ОТКРЫВАЛСЯ (sentence, pasr or present) – some

seemingly difficult problem turned out to have a simple solution, some seemingly

inexplicable phenomenon turned out to have a simple explanation etc.: the solution (the

explanation, the answer) was quite simple (after all); it was easy (wasn’t hard) to

figure out; the reason was (all) too obvious

< From Ivan Krylov’s fable “A little box” («Ларчик»), 1808

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ЛЕБЕДИННАЯ ПЕСНЯ чья, кого (lit., singular only) – the last (and often

most significant) act or work of a writer, artist etc., the last expression of his talent: swan

song

< From a popular belief that a swan sings only once in its lifetime – as it is dying

ЛËГКИЕ ДЕНЬГИ – money obtained easily, without any effort on someone’s

part: easy money

ЛЕЖАТЬ В ЛЁЖКУ (substand., human.) – to be seriously, gravely ill, be

confined to bed: be laid up; to lie (lounge) around in bed (all day long); (of seriously

ill person): be flat on one’s back; a bed-patient; be laid up

ЛЕЖМЯ ( ЛЁЖНЕМ) ЛЕЖАТЬ (substand., human.) – to lie (in bed) for a

long time doing nothing productive: lying down without stirring; lie helpless

ЛЕЗТЬ / ПОЛЕЗТЬ НА РОЖОН (coll.) – to undertake something risky,

potentially dangerous: take a big risk; stick one’s neck out; go out on a limb; risk

one’s neck; act recklessly; ask (beg) for trouble; kick against the pricks; Negative

play it (things) safe; don’t take any chances

ЛИЗАТЬ ПЯТКИ (НОГИ, САПОГИ, РУКИ) кому, у кого (highly coll.) – to

fawn on, cringe and grovel before someone: lick someone’s boots (shoes, feet)

ЛИСА ПАТРИКЕЕВНА (coll., disapprov, usually sing.; commonly used as

vocative; both words capitalized.) – a sly flatterer (more often a women): sly fox (devil);

crafty devil; sly boots

< The name of the fox in Russian folk tales.

ЛОБ В ЛОБ столкнуться, сойтись и т.д. (coll.) – (to meet, run into one

another) right up close, facing each other: (collide, meet) head-on; (run, crash) right

into each other; (meet, come) face to face

ЛОЖКА ДËГТЯ В БОЧКЕ МËДА (saying) – something that spoils an

otherwise good, satisfactory state of affairs (said in vexation when some insignificant but

unpleasant thing spoils what is otherwise very good – a project, mood, impression etc.):

а fly in the ointment

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ЛОМАТЬ (ПОЛОМАТЬ СЕБЕ) ГОЛОВУ (над чем, human., usually

imperfective, often with зачем, незачем, не надо etc.) – to think hard, trying to

comprehend something complex or find a solution to a difficult problem: rack one’s

brains; one cudgels his brain; one puzzles over something; Neg.: don’t trouble your

head (about something)

ЛУЧШЕ БЫ ... – it’s would be better if…

ЛУЧШЕЕ – ВРАГ ХОРОШЕГО (quote) –The best is the enemy of the

good. The perfect is the enemy of the good.

< From La Bégueule, 1772 by François-Marie Arouet (1694– 1778), better

known by his pen name, Voltaire who was a French writer, deist, and philosopher.

ЛЮБВИ ВСЕ ВОЗРАСТЫ ПОКОРНЫ (lit.) – аll ages are submissive to

love: To love all ages are subservient; one is never too old to fall in love; love will

creep where it may not go

< From Verse novel Eugene Onegin («Евгений Онегин»), 1825-32 by Alexander

Sergeyevich Pushkin (Алекса́ндр Серге́евич Пу́шкин) (1799 –1837), a Russian

Romantic author who is considered to be the greatest Russian poet and the founder of

modern Russian literature.

МАВР

СДЕЛАЛ СВОË ДЕЛО, МАВР МОЖЕТ УХОДИТЬ – this phrase

describes the cynical attitude to the person which services do not require any more:

Moor has done his duty, let him go.

< From the tragedy Fiesco, or a Genoese Conspiracy («Заговор Фиеско в

Генуе») (1783) by great German poet, philosopher, historian, and dramatist Friedrich

Schiller (1759 –1805). Act III, scene 4.

МАГ И ВОЛШЕБНИК (usually humor., human.) – a person who does

everything easily and adroitly, who performs exceptional deeds: wonder-worker;

wonder of efficiency; miracle man (worker); sorcerer and magician

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МАЛО КАШИ ЕЛ (coll., human; past only) – one is (too) inexperienced,

young etc.: be (too) green; be a greenhorn (a tenderfoot); be (still) wet behind the ears

МАЛЬЧИК ДЛЯ БИТЬЯ – a person (or group) blamed for the faults or

misdeeds of others: whipping boy ; boy for the beating

МАМАЕВО ПОБОИЩЕ (occas. humor, singular only) – 1. a heated,

uncontrolled, and often violent quarrel or fight (in which one side clearly defeats the

other): brawl; fracas; donnybrook; utter confusion;

2. large-scale layoffs, dismissals, expulsions etc.: mass firings (expulsions); to purge

the place (the department)

МАМА РОДНАЯ! (coll.) – used to express amazement, admiration, fear,

irritation etc: Holy Mother!; heavens!; a pretty kettle of fish!; Wow!

МАРТЫШКИН ТРУД (coll., singular only) – meaningless, futile work that

yields no result: useless (senseless, pointless) work; carrying coals to Newcastle

< From Ivan Krylov’s fable “Monkey” («Обезьяна»), 1811

МАСТЕР (МАСТЕРИЦА) НА ВСЕ РУКИ (coll., human.) – a person who

knows how to do many different things, usually very well: a jack-of-all-trades; one is

good at everything; one can turn his hand to anything

МЕДВЕЖЬЯ УСЛУГА (coll.) – an action or gesture intended to help someone

that unwittingly turns out to cause him trouble, discomfort etc.: a good deed that

backfired; misdirected good intentions; (unintentional) disservice; (do) more harm

than good; clumsy assistance; a lot of help that was!

< From Ivan Krylov’s fable “Hermit and Bear” («Пустынник

и Медведь»), 1808

МЕДОВЫЙ МЕСЯЦ – 1. the initial, blissful stage of married life: honey

moon; 2. чего – the best period, zenith of something: peak; heyday; golden days

МЕЛКАЯ СОШКА (coll., human.) – a person or people occupying a low social

or professional position: small fry; small potatoes; tiny cog(s) (in the machine, in the

wheel, in some department, in an organization etc.)

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МЕЛКО ПЛАВАТЬ (coll., human.) – to lack sufficient ability, knowledge,

experience etc. to do something: belong to the small fry; is not the right caliber (for

something); is out of (beyond) his depth (in something)

МЕНЬШИЕ БРАТЬЯ; БРАТЬЯ НАШИ МЕНЬШИЕ (lit.) – animals, pets

МЕРЗОСТЬ ЗАПУСТЕНИЯ (lit., sing. only) – a state of total ruin, waste,

decay: utter desolation (devastation); abomination of desolation

< From the Bible (Dan. 9:27)

МЕСТА СЕБЕ НЕ НАХОДИТЬ (НЕ МОЧЬ НАЙТИ) (от чего; coll.,

human) – to be extremely worried, anxious, restless (often in fear for loved one’s safety,

in anticipation of an important event etc.): be beside oneself (with worry, anxiety);

can’t find any peace; nearly go out of one’s mind (with worry); can’t rest for worry

(worring, fretting)

МЕСТО ПОД СОЛНЦЕМ (lit., sing. only) – 1. a visible position in society,

among other people: a place in the sun;

2. the right to exist: (have) a place in this world

МЕТАТЬ (РАССЫПАТЬ) БИСЕР ПЕРЕД СВИНЬЯМИ (often infinitive

with зачем, хватит, не надо etc.) to try in vain to explain or prove something to a person

or people who cannot or do not want to understand or appreciate it – to cast pearls

before swine

< From the Bible (Matt. 7:6)

МНОГО (НЕМАЛО, СКОЛЬКО) ВОДЫ УТЕКЛО (с тех пор, как ...; с

того времени) (coll.) – much time has passed, many changes have taken place (since

the moment or event indicated): much water has flow under the bridge (since); so

much (a lot of) water has flowed by; a lot (so much) has happened

МОЛОДО-ЗЕЛEНО (coll., often condes or disapprov.) – someone is naïve,

inexperienced in something, lacking in seriousness because of his youth (said

condescendingly when a person’s behavior or words make his youth or inexperience

obvious; also said to excuse youth’s desire for fun): (when) you’re young; you’re