What does the expression "palm of the championship" mean? Phraseologism Remember with a kind word. Phraseologism Pass the test of time

Phraseologisms starting with the letter P. The meaning of phraseological units starting with the letter P. Phrasebook

1. Phraseologism Pavlik Morozov

Phraseologism “Pavlik Morozov”. A common noun for a person who betrays his own family, especially his father. The emergence of phraseological units - Pavel Morozov (1918-1932) - a famous communist pioneer who exposed the kulak conspiracy in which his own father participated, and gave incriminating testimony against him, saying that his father often raised his hand against his mother and children, and also engaged in forgery of documents.

For this, in fact, he was killed when he went to pick berries.

In Soviet times, Pavlik Morozov was a symbol of the ideal teenager who, for the sake of a communist future, puts his family, his own interests, and everything else in the background.

Currently, Pavlik Morozov is perceived mainly with a negative connotation, a sort of little Judas.

2. Phraseologism Fall from the sky

Phraseologism “Fall from the sky” used in the sense of being despondent. The phraseological unit “Fall from the sky” is a catch phrase.

3. Phraseologism Fallen angels

Phraseologism “Fallen Angels”. According to the beliefs of Jews and Christians, fallen angels are those angels who, like everyone else, were created good and bright by God, but lost their holiness and place in Paradise when they supported the devil in his rebellion against the Lord.

The devil (he was also an angel, whose name was Dennitsa), did not want to obey God, but he himself wanted to become God. He rebelled and was supported by a third of the angels, whom Dennitsa managed to lead astray. These angels became fallen.

In the heavenly battle, the devil and his fallen angels were defeated and cast out of heaven. The devil himself fought a duel with the Archangel Michael and was also defeated.

The devil and his angels have settled down in their own kingdom of fire and brimstone - hell. The fallen angels lost their original appearance and became demons.

From then on, demons began to influence the thoughts and feelings of weak people, plunging them into the abyss of sin and vice, in which they themselves were mired, trying to take possession of their souls and subject them to certain torment in hell. The worse life is for people on earth, the better it is for demons - such is their nature.

4. Phraseologism Double-edged sword

Phraseologism “Double-edged sword” used in the sense of something that can end both good and bad. The expression preserves the popular, now outdated use of the preposition o in the meaning of s (cf. folk serpent with seven heads), i.e. a double-edged stick means “a stick with two ends.” The one who is being hit with a stick can catch it, snatch it and start hitting the enemy with the other end. Phraseologism “Double-edged sword” is a catch phrase.

5. Phraseologism Palm

Phraseologism “Palm of the Championship” used to mean leadership in something, the best result of someone compared to others

Palm This is almost the same as a laurel wreath (see "Reaping Laurels"). On olympic games and other folk competitions, the Greeks not only crowned the winners with laurels, but also awarded them palm branches. It is not for nothing that the goddess of victory Nike herself was depicted with such a branch in her hands. (It should be remembered that palm frond usually means the pinnate leaf of date and other similar palms.)

In a figurative sense, the palm means coming out on top, an undeniable advantage or priority. The phraseological unit “Palm of the Championship” is a catch phrase.

6. Phraseologism Finger to the sky

Phraseologism “Finger to the sky” used in the meaning - at random. The phraseological unit “Finger to the sky” is a catch phrase.

7. Phraseologism Don’t lift a finger

Phraseologism “Don’t lift a finger” used to mean - to do nothing. The phraseological unit “Don’t lift a finger” is a catch phrase.

8. Phraseologism Pan or gone (either pan or gone)

Phraseologism “Sink or disappear” used to mean either achieve everything you want or lose everything. There are two versions of the origin of this turnover:

1. The expression is a tracing paper from the Latin aut Caesar, aut nihil, erroneously interpreted as “either Caesar or nothing.” In fact, with this saying the Roman emperor of the 1st century. Caligula justified his excessive wastefulness by saying: “Either be stingy or be Caesar.”

2. Pan means “all” in Greek. From him comes the Polish word pan - landowner, complete owner, independent person. The meaning of the expression is based on this: either pan (i.e. everything) or disappear.

To pronounce panegyrics To say this is the same as to express it differently: “to sing hallelujah”, “to sing praises”, “to sing an akathist” (see), for this also means: to praise.

In Ancient Greece there was a custom: to pronounce a panegyric over the body of the deceased - a solemn speech of praise. It was called that because in Greek “pan agiris” means a general meeting: either in this speech “all the virtues of the deceased were gathered together,” or it was customary for everyone to attend such meetings. Then the word “panegyric” began to mean any speech of praise. In the Middle Ages, kings kept flattering poets at court, whose only job was to write panegyrics. Thus, the latter even became a kind of literature, like odes and madrigals, wedding songs. The phraseological unit “Sink or perish” is a catch phrase.

9. Phraseologism Panic fear (horror)

Phraseologism “Panic fear”. When the god of nature Pan, the patron saint of forests and everything that lives in them, was born, the mother was so horrified that she abandoned the child: he was born with horns, with hooves, a flattened nose and a goat’s beard. But the child was a little god; it did not die, but appeared on Olympus. And the gods greeted him with joy: Pan turned out to be a good-natured, cheerful deity, an excellent flute player and even the inventor of the flute.

No wonder, as soon as he was born, he immediately began jumping and laughing, which horrified his mother even more.

The Greeks said that the name "Pan", that is, "Everything", was given to him because he brought joy to all the gods. We understand that this is a later invention of the poets, as well as the guess that Pan was the god of all nature. When at noon, under the sultry sun, the tired Pan fell asleep, all the nature of Greece fell asleep around him: no one should disturb his peace. If a shepherd and a trapper heard wild sounds in the wilds, vague noises, someone's laughter and whistling - who could be there except Pan? The poor people were frightened, they experienced panic, and panic arose among them. Some even said that the Greeks managed to defeat the Persians at Marathon only because the Great Pan terrified them at the height of the battle.

Yes, of course, Pan was nature itself; the Greeks dedicated mountains, caves, ancient trees to him, as well as a mysterious animal - a turtle.

We still remember Pan: we talk about panic, we use the words “alarmist”, “panic”. And if you want to know how Pan seemed to the ancients, look at the famous painting by the artist Vrubel: it’s called “Pan”. Phraseologism “Panic fear” is a catch phrase.

10. Phraseologism Panurgovo herd

Phraseologism “Panurgovo herd”. These are no longer ancient myths, this is French literature from not so long ago. In the novel “Gargantua and Pantagruel” by the great French satirist Francois Rabelais (16th century), a certain Panurge sailed on the same ship with the merchant Dendeno. Dendeno tormented Panurge terribly. But he found a way to take revenge. Of the many rams that Dendeno was carrying on the ship, Panurge bought one and pushed it overboard. Immediately the whole herd rushed into the sea after their leader. It is not for nothing that Rabelais called his hero Panurge: in Greek this means “a jack of all trades”, “a man capable of everything” (“pan” - “everything”, “urg” - “doer”, as in the word “playwright”).

The panurge herd, from the light hand of the merry Rabelais, is a crowd that is ready to blindly follow its leader, even if he leads it to certain death.

11. Phraseologism Paparazzi

Phraseologism "Paparazzi". A common name for annoying photographers who, at any cost, seek to obtain scandalous, compromising photographs, or any other photographs or information about the private lives of celebrities. Active suppliers of “ducks” and other crap for “ yellow press" and "yellow television".

The emergence of the phraseological unit is from the film by Federico Fellini (1920-1993) “The Sweet Life” (“La Dolce Vita”, 1960), in which Fellini acted both as a director and as a scriptwriter. One of the heroes of this film was called Paparazzo and he was a photojournalist who hunted for footage from the private lives of all sorts of people. famous people.

12. Phraseologism Paris is worth a mass

Phraseologism “Paris is worth a mass” used to mean that it is worth compromising for the sake of significant benefits. These are the words of the French king Henry IV of Navarre. In the years preceding his reign, France was rocked by religious wars between Catholics and Huguenots. The future king Henry of Navarre was a Huguenot. To ascend the French throne, he needed to convert to Catholicism, which he did, saying: “Paris is worth a mass.” The Mass is the main service of worship in the Catholic Church. The phraseology “Paris is worth a mass” is a popular expression.

13. Phraseologism Parisian secrets

Phraseologism “Parisian secrets” applied in relation to any secrets, intrigues, and in general everything that is hidden in every possible way under the veil of secrecy. The emergence of a phraseological unit is the title of the novel by the French writer Eugene Sue (1804-1957) “Parisian Mysteries” (“Les Mysteres de Paris”).

14. Phraseologism Parthian arrow

Phraseologism “Parthian arrow”. The Romans encountered the Parthians - inhabitants of Western Asia, nomads, cattle breeders and magnificent horsemen - in one of their campaigns to the East. The Parthian light cavalry completely defeated the Roman army.

According to the stories of those who survived, the Parthians behaved treacherously: they pretended to be defeated, ran away and suddenly, turning around at a gallop, showered the Romans with a rain of unexpected Parthian arrows.

From that time on, many things in Rome began to be called Parthian. An unexpected and irresistible attack from a cunning enemy, seemingly already defeated in the dispute, is a Parthian arrow; feigned retreat, any deceptive maneuver - Parthian flight; finally, a hypocritical smile - a Parthian smile. What were the “arrogant Parthians” to blame for? Only because they defended their homeland from cruel enemies! The phraseological unit “Parthian Arrow” is a catch phrase.

15. Phraseologism More than aspirations

Phraseologism “More than aspirations” used in the meaning - more (stronger) than expected or wanted; beyond expectation, unexpectedly. The word more is a form of comparative degree from the common Slavic pak “again, back, again”; the adverb more means “beyond something”; aspiration - from the Old Russian verb chayati “to wait.” In the old days, the adjective pachechayny “unexpected” (pachechayny guest) was used in lively colloquial speech.

16. Phraseologism The patient is more alive than dead

Phraseologism “The patient is more alive than dead.” A humorous phrase about sick people whose condition does not inspire any fear, who are on the mend. Also sometimes applied to the condition of equipment that is acting up but still working. There is also a phrase with the opposite meaning - “The patient is more dead than alive”, which has the opposite meaning.

The emergence of phraseological units is from the fairy tale by A. N. Tolstoy (1883-1945) “The Golden Key, or the Adventures of Pinocchio” (1936).

17. Phraseologism Pegasus to saddle

Phraseologism “Ride Pegasus.” As the Greek myth tells, from the blood of Medusa beheaded by Perseus, the winged horse Pegasus arose. On it, the hero Bellerophon defeated the sea monster, fought with the Chimera and the Amazons, and when Mount Helicon, having listened to the wondrous singing of the muses, was ready to rise to the sky, Pegasus, with a blow of his hoof, kept the mountain from rising and at the same time knocked out the magic key - Hippocrene - from it. The miraculous origin of the key is reflected in its name: “krene” - in Greek “source”, “hippos”, “ippos” - “horse”; You will find this root in a number of other words well known to you, such as “hippodrome” - a place for horses to run, “hippopotamus” - a river horse, Philip - a horse lover. Anyone who drinks the water of Hippocrene suddenly begins to speak in poetry.

So, Pegasus became the horse of the muses, and a later idea made him the horse of poets (such an idea was alien to the Greeks themselves). This is where the figurative expression “to ride Pegasus” arose, which means: to become a poet, to speak in poetry.

It is possible that this is where the expression “get on your hobby” came from, that is, talk about your favorite topic. “Ride Pegasus” is not the only expression referring to poets. The expression “to climb Parnassus” is also used in the same meaning. Parnassus, according to the ancient Greeks, is the mountain on which the muses lived. The muses patronized various types of art and sciences (including history and astronomy). When they want to say that inspiration has descended on a person, they say that a muse visited him or flew to him. Of the nine muses, four provided patronage to various types of poetry.

This is probably why in the 18th century the expression “to ascend Parnassus” began to refer exclusively to poets. Nowadays we rarely call the muse of poetry Euterpe; The most famous remained only the names of the muse of tragedy - Melpomene (tragicists or lovers of tragedy are often spoken of as “servant of Melpomene” or “admirer of Melpomene”) and the muse of dance - Terpsichore. The phraseology “Ride Pegasus” is a catch phrase.

18. Phraseologism Landscape after the battle

Phraseologism “Landscape after the battle.” An ironic expression about the situation that has developed after a loud scandal, showdown, conflict, fight, etc. The emergence of a phraseological unit is the title of a story (1949) by the Polish writer Tadeusz Borowski (1922-1951). In 1970, the story was made into a film of the same name, directed by Andrzej Wajda. The film takes place at the very end of the Second World War, on the territory of a German concentration camp liberated by the Americans. Waiting for your future fate former prisoners - Poles live on the territory of the former barracks. They are under the supervision of the US military. It is thanks to the film that the expression becomes popular.

19. Phraseologism Sirens singing

Phraseologism “The singing of the sirens.” From ancient times, legends have come down to us about sirens, sea and coastal monsters that looked like fish-tailed women or maidens with bird legs.

With their enchanting singing they lured sailors to dangerous reefs and rapids.

We call siren singing the sweet-voiced speeches with which someone tries to seduce the gullible and draw him into a dangerous enterprise.

It is curious that the word “siren” itself has acquired many new meanings in our time, not at all similar to the original one. Zoologists call some aquatic animals - dugongs and manatees - sirens. In technology, a siren is a special device that emits a piercing howl.

As you can see, there is still some very distant connection between these values ​​and the previous one. The phraseological unit “The singing of the sirens” is a catch phrase.

20. Phraseologism Foam removers

Phraseologism “Foam Removers”- about self-interested people, cynics who view any business only as a way to gain their own benefit.

21. Phraseologism First swallow

Phraseologism “The first swallow”. All peoples of temperate countries consider the swallow to be the harbinger of spring. Since ancient times, the “first swallow” has become not only a sign of spring, but also an image that speaks of the first signs of the approach of something joyful, a change for the better.

But the keen eye of the ancients noticed something else: one swallow is not enough to confidently expect the coming spring - it is the first swallow that often deceives. Una hirundo non facit ver - “One swallow does not make spring,” they used to say back in Ancient Rome. And Aesop himself composed a fable about a frivolous youth who squandered everything he had. He saved only his cloak, but one day, when he saw the first swallow, he sold that too. Frost struck, and frivolity was punished. The content of this fable was repeated by our I.A. Krylov (“Mot and the Swallow”) many centuries later.

When we say: “Oh, this is the first swallow!” - we hint at the first signs of impending favorable events. When cautious people answer: “One swallow does not make spring!” - they warn against excessive hasty gullibility and advise against prophesying events in advance. The phraseological unit “The first swallow” is a catch phrase.

22. Phraseologism First lady of the country

Phraseologism “First Lady of the Country” used in relation to the wives of top officials of states - presidents, monarchs, etc.

The emergence of a phraseological unit is the name of the play by the American playwright C. Nirdlinger, “The First Lady of the Country,” staged in 1911. The play told the story of Dolly Madison, the wife of the 4th US President J. Madison (1809-1817).

23. Phraseologism Play first violin

Phraseologism “Play first fiddle.” This is the same as “being the lead singer” and “playing the first role.” So we are talking about people who are clearly dominant, leading others. It is clear why this is so: in orchestras there are always not one, but several violins: “prima”, or “first violin”, “second”, “viola”, etc.

Of these, the “first violins” are always considered to be leading; the rest of the instruments to some extent follow them and are equal to them. The phraseological unit “Play first fiddle” is a catch phrase.

24. Phraseologism The first damn thing is lumpy

Phraseologism “The first pancake is lumpy” used in the sense of something unsuccessful, something that turned out poorly, done in the absence of experience. The phraseological unit “The first pancake is lumpy” is a catch phrase.

25. Phraseologism First comer

Phraseologism “The first person you meet” used to mean a random person. The expression is an inaccurate tracing from the French le premier venu. In Russian - from the 18th or 19th centuries. The secondary common and rhymed variant counter and transverse is actually Russian. The phraseological unit “The first person you meet” is a catch phrase.

26. Phraseologism First time in first grade

Phraseologism “First time in first grade.” A humorous expression used either literally - in relation to first-graders going to school for the first time, or in a figurative sense - in relation to beginners in any business. The emergence of a phraseological unit - from “Song of First-Graders”, composer D. Kabalevsky (1904-1987), words by E. Schwartz (1896-1958).

27. Phraseologism First among equals

Phraseologism “First among equals” used in the meaning - outstanding, main, leading, best. The expression comes from the Latin Primus inter pares (first among equals), a title held by Augustus before he assumed the imperial title. These words created the appearance of maintaining the prestige of the Senate, masters and courts. An expression about someone who leads or influences other people, with formal equality with them. According to one version, Caesar was called this way in Ancient Rome, as the first among equals, equally worthy citizens of Rome, any of whom could be Caesar. According to another version, the Roman emperor Octavian Augustus (63 BC - 14 AD) called himself this.

28. Phraseologism First of all

Phraseologism “First of all” used in the meaning - at the beginning. The phraseological unit “First of all” is a catch phrase.

29. Phraseologism Break from bread to kvass/water

Phraseologism “Switch from bread to kvass/water.” This saying exists in the north and north-west of Russia, in those parts where baked bread is called exclusively rye bread, and what is baked from wheat flour is called bun, sieve, kalach, and in general, whatever you like, but not bread. Well, kvass, as you know, is made from half-eaten, stale remains of black bread. That is, someone who subsists on bread and kvass has nothing edible in the house except stale bread. And the figurative meaning of the saying is exactly the same: it’s hard to make ends meet. However, this is not the worst thing that can happen to a person; it is not without reason that another proverb sadly states: “Sometimes with kvass, and sometimes with water.” The phraseological unit “Switch from bread to kvass/water” is a catch phrase.

30. Phraseologism Go too far

Phraseologism “To go too far” used in the sense of overdoing it. The phraseological unit “Go too far” is a catch phrase.

31. Phraseologism Pass the baton

Phraseologism “Pass the baton.” The origin of the word “relay race” is not known to everyone, and in a figurative sense, not everyone will understand what these words mean. “Relay” is a French adaptation of the Italian “stafetta” - “messenger”. This name comes from the word “staffa” - “stirrup”. Once upon a time, urgent letters were sent by special horse messengers; On the way, they passed each other an urgent package, barely having time to touch their stirrups when they met at a gallop. Now we also call “relay race” a competition with the passing of a “relay” - a stick that replaces a letter - while running. In the community, they are increasingly talking about the “relay race of history”, “relay race of progress”, meaning that generation to generation, people to people can, without stopping the general movement forward, transfer their tasks and achievements for further work on them. The phraseological unit “Pass the baton” is a catch phrase.

32. Phraseologism Cross the Rubicon

Phraseologism “Cross the Rubicon” used to mean - to take a decisive step. Despite the prohibition of the Senate, Caesar and his legions crossed the Rubicon River. This marked the beginning of a war between the Senate and Caesar, as a result of which Caesati took possession of Rome and became dictator. The phraseological unit “Cross the Rubicon” is a catch phrase.

33. Phraseologism Tumbleweed

Phraseologism "Tumbleweed" used to mean that in autumn, spherical balls of sun-dried steppe plants roll across the southern steppes, driven by the wind. People have long dubbed them with the unique and very apt name “tumbleweeds.”

You will go out against your will!
It’s hard, even if you cry!
You look across the field
Tumbleweed
Bouncing like a ball...

Says A. A. Fet in one of his “autumn” poems.

The people created a precise and figurative word, they also gave it an apt figurative meaning: “tumbleweed” is a restless person who cannot find refuge for himself anywhere, an eternal wanderer. The phraseological unit “Tumbleweed” is a catch phrase.

34. Phraseologism Beat swords into ploughshares

Phraseologism “Beat swords into ploughshares” used to mean - to renounce hostilities, intentions, and engage in peaceful labor. An expression from the Bible, from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, who predicted that the time would come when the nations “will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Plowshares are the plural form of the accusative case. numbers of other Russian the noun plowshare “plough”, formed from the verb orati “to plow”. This expression gained particular popularity in the late 1950s, when the famous Soviet sculptor E. V. Vuchetich created an allegorical bronze statue “Let us beat swords into plowshares.” The statue, depicting a warrior-farmer forging a sword into a plow, is installed on the grounds of the UN headquarters in New York. The phraseology “beat swords into ploughshares” is a catch phrase.

35. Phraseologism Pour from empty to empty

Phraseologism “Pour from empty to empty” has the meaning: 1. Engage in useless work; wasting time aimlessly. 2. Spend time in conversations, empty chatter. The phraseological unit “Pour from empty to empty” is a catch phrase.

36. Phraseologism Wash the bones (bones)

Phraseologism “Wash the bones” used to mean slander, gossip, gossip about someone. The expression is associated with the ancient ritual of secondary burial of the deceased. According to the ideas of some peoples, every unrepentant sinner, if a curse weighs on him, after death comes out of the grave in the form of a ghoul, vampire, ghoul and destroys people. To remove the spell, you need to dig up the remains of the deceased and wash the preserved bones with clean water. Over time, this ritual began to be associated with the analysis of actions and various aspects of a person’s character. The phraseological unit “Wash the bones” is a catch phrase.

37. Phraseologism Overflow the cup of patience

Phraseologism “To overflow the cup of patience” used in the sense of making one nervous, losing one's temper. The phraseological unit “To fill the cup of patience” is a popular expression.

38. Phraseologism Scared to death

Phraseologism “Scared to death” used to mean - to experience strong fear. The phraseological unit “Scared to death” is a catch phrase.

39. Phraseologism Cross / cross the road

Phraseologism “Cross/cross the road” used to mean - to interfere with someone. The phraseological unit is associated with the superstitious prohibition to cross the road for someone going somewhere. and thereby deprive him of luck.

40. Phraseologism Perpetum-mobile

Phraseologism "Perpetum-mobile". The combination of words "perpetum mobile" in Latin means "ever mobile". This is how scientists of the past called the amazing machine they imagined in their dreams, which, without fuel, without consuming any externally supplied energy, could work forever.

Science has long proven that such machines cannot exist. However, the ignorant are still working on their invention today.

Since the inconceivability of building a “perpetual motion machine” - a “perpetum mobile” was scientifically proven, the words “to invent a perpetum mobile” began to mean: engaging in nonsense, working on an impossible task. The phraseological unit “Perpetum mobile” is a catch phrase.

41. Phraseologism Persona grata

Phraseologism “Persona grata”. Originally it was a diplomatic term. These Latin words mean a person (“persona” - “person”, “person”) whom one state willingly (the word “grata” means “desired”) accepts as a representative of another power.

In our ordinary language, this expression has acquired a more general meaning: this is what everyone calls respected and always welcome people. It should be noted that you often hear a misunderstanding of these words: they are regarded as an “important person,” apparently confusing the Latin “grata” with the German “gross” - “big” or with the French “grand”, meaning the same thing.

International diplomats (and newspapers after them) also use the opposite term: “persona non grata,” that is, “undesirable person.” In a figurative sense, in everyday life this expression is rarely used: it has not yet become, in our understanding of the word, “winged”. The phraseological unit “Persona grata” is a catch phrase.

42. Phraseologism Ring of Hygeia

Phraseologism “Ring of Hygeias”. Hygeus is a mythical Lydian shepherd, the owner of a magic ring that had the same properties as our Russian “invisibility cap”: when handled skillfully, it made its owner invisible. Apparently, since ancient times this property seemed to people the limit of witchcraft capabilities. To say about someone: “He owns the ring of Hygeias” was the same as calling him an omnipotent person, for whom nothing is impossible.

43. Phraseologism Ring of Polycrates

Phraseologism “Ring of Polycrates.” Sometimes they want to say that this or that person is so disproportionately lucky in life, good luck rains down on him in such a stream that it becomes scary: sooner or later this must stop and he will inevitably experience terrible misfortune. In such cases they say that this person has the “ring of Polycrates.”

Ancient legends say that Polycrates, the tyrant of Samos, was incredibly happy. One day, while feasting with one of his wise friends, he dropped an expensive ring into the depths of the sea. But a few hours passed, and, having cut the freshly caught fish served at the feast, the servants took their master’s ring from its throat. Seeing this, the wise friend (as described in Schiller’s famous poem on this topic) was horrified and left the tyrant’s court: such happiness, of course, had to be replaced by no less great troubles.

It should be noted that the historical Polycrates (VI century BC) was indeed captured by the Persians by deception at the end of his brilliant reign and executed. This was probably the reason for the emergence of such a legend about him.

44. Phraseologism Put fingers into ulcers

Phraseologism “Put fingers into ulcers” used to mean - to verify something with the help of facts. Expression from the Gospel: the Apostle Thomas did not want to believe that Christ was resurrected until he put his fingers (fingers) into the wounds inflicted by the Lord from the nails (nail ulcers).

45. Phraseologism Song of Songs

Phraseologism “Song of Songs” used to mean the pinnacle of creativity of an author, a wonderful work. “Song of Songs” is the name of one of the parts of the Bible, written, according to legend, by King Solomon. The high poetic merits of this book, glorifying love, made its title a catchphrase. The phraseological unit “Song of Songs” is a catch phrase.

46. ​​Phraseologism Sand pours out of someone

Phraseologism “Sand is pouring out of someone” used in the sense of a very old, decrepit person. Expression - tracing paper with English the sands are running out. There are two versions of the origin of the turnover. According to one of them, metaphor is based on comparison with hourglass, which have long been used in medicine. The falling sand in such a watch was compared to the rapidly flowing human years. According to another version, the expression is associated with the release of small grains of salt from the body (in old age, stones can form in the kidneys and other organs). The phraseological unit “Sand pours out of someone” is a catch phrase.

47. Phraseologism Throw loops

Phraseologism “Throwing loops.” The root of this expression is in the language of tailors and seamstresses: they throw (rather, “sew”) the loops of our clothes with threads. Then this word passed (probably already as some kind of image) into the language of hunters. They began to say about the hare: “He throws loops,” that is, he writes out complex closed curves while running. From here our common language borrowed its expression; in it, “throwing loops” already means: to confuse, confuse the enemy or pursuer.

48. Phraseologism Sing in unison

Phraseologism “Sing in unison.” Usually the choir sings “in several voices”: some singers sing one note, others – another note, which merge into harmonic consonance. But it happens that all singers produce sounds of the same pitch, the same notes. This is called "singing in unison"; in Latin “unus” means “one”, and “sonus” means “sound”. This is the literal meaning of this musical term. In a figurative sense, we use it when we want to talk about complete agreement between several people acting at the same time. It’s not for nothing that they say about such people: “They sang.” The phraseological unit “Sing in unison” is a catch phrase.

49. Phraseologism Sing praises

Phraseologism “Sing praises” used in the meaning - to immoderately, enthusiastically praise, praise someone or something.

50. Phraseologism Singing Lazarus

Phraseologism “Singing Lazarus” used in the sense of complaining about fate, pretending to be unhappy. Initially, Lazarus is a pitiful beggar.

51. Phraseologism Oven like pancakes

Phraseologism “Oven like pancakes” used in the sense of creating 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 preparing pancakes is simple, and the pancake takes 2-3 minutes to bake, so you can cook even a large number of pancakes in a relatively short time.

52. Phraseologism Pilot project

Phraseologism “Pilot project”. A pilot project is nothing more than trial version any program, standard, project, event, etc., which is applied exclusively locally to see how it will work and whether it will work at all.

Note that this expression has nothing to do with aviation. The point is that a English language the word “pilot” is translated as “test”, “experiment”.

53. Phraseologism Feast during the plague

Phraseologism “Feast during the plague.” This is the name of one of Pushkin’s “Little Tragedies”. In the idiomatic sense - riotous fun against the backdrop of general disaster, which will undoubtedly affect frivolous revelers. Yes, the inscrutable ways of culture!.. The idiomatic meaning of words is directly opposite to the idea inherent in the work. Plague... In the Middle Ages, when pestilence spread freely throughout the world, man was powerless before it, as before any madness of nature: a volcano, tsunami or earthquake (and not only in the Middle Ages, what the hell, but also in our days - if, not God forbid, despite all the advances in medicine, the pestilence will fall, then the common man will only have to pray to a non-existent god). The phraseological unit “Feast during the plague” is a catch phrase.

54. Phraseologism A shoemaker bakes pies

Phraseologism “The shoemaker bakes the pies.” Naval Admiral Chichagov commanded during Patriotic War 1812 land army. His army was supposed to cut off Napoleon's retreat across the Berezina River. The admiral's inept actions led to the fact that Napoleon and part of his troops managed to cross the river. On this occasion, Ivan Krylov wrote the fable “The Pike and the Cat” about a pie maker who undertakes to sew boots, that is, about a sailor commander of the ground forces. The lines “It’s a disaster if a shoemaker starts baking pies, and a cake maker starts making boots” has become a proverb, and the idiom denotes a person who takes on something other than his own business.

55. Phraseologism Pies with kittens

Phraseologism “Pies with kittens.” One thing they never ate in Rus' was cats. Well, except in very severe hunger, when you either die or shove your beloved Murka into the pot. The extra kittens brought by the pet were simply drowned. But to eat them at a time when we are baking pies?.. - it’s bad to think about that. Something absurd, unexpected and unpleasant will befall a person - how can one not exclaim: “These are the pies with kittens!”

56. Phraseologism Pyrrhic victory

Phraseologism “Pyrrhic victory” used to mean a victory that cost too much sacrifice, and is therefore tantamount to defeat. The expression is associated with the victory of the Epirus king Pyrrhus over the Romans (279 BC), which cost him such losses that, according to Plutarch, he exclaimed: “Another such victory, and we are lost!” Indeed, the following year the Romans defeated Pyrrhus. The phraseological unit “Pyrrhic victory” is a catch phrase.

57. Phraseologism Belshazzar's feast, Belshazzar's feast

Phraseologism “Belshazzar's Feasts” used to mean a feast, fun on the eve of inevitable disaster. Belshazzar (biblical form of the name Belsharusur) (killed in 539 BC), son of the last Babylonian king Nabonidus. IN biblical legend it is said that on the night of the capture of Babylon by the Persians, Belshazzar held a feast (“Balshazzar’s feast”). At the height of the fun, where precious vessels captured by the Babylonians in the Jerusalem temple served as table bowls, and the Babylonian gods were glorified, a mysterious hand wrote on the wall unclear words. The Babylonian sages were unable to read and interpret them. The Jewish sage Daniel read the inscription. It read: “mene, mene, tekel, upharsin.” Daniel explained the meaning of these words and gave them an interpretation, predicting the death of Belshazzar and the division of the Babylonian kingdom between the Persians and the Medes. The prediction came true.

58. Phraseologism Eating locusts and wild honey Akridas

Phraseologism “Eating locusts and wild honey of Akrida.” There is locust (a type of desert locust, which the nomadic tribes of Western Asia and Africa willingly eat) and wild honey was used by people who lived in the wild desert, in particular by ancient Jewish hermits. After this expression found its way into the gospel, it began to mean: lead a harsh lifestyle, live like an ascetic desert.

The words “to abide, sit on the food of St. Anthony” have approximately the same meaning - to starve. Here is an allusion to an ascetic. Having retired to the Egyptian desert, the hermit Anthony denied himself the most necessary things and lived from hand to mouth. Monasticism began from him.

59. Phraseologism Food for thought

Phraseologism “Food for thought” used to mean data on the basis of which one can draw conclusions and reason. The phraseological unit “Food for thought” is a catch phrase.

60. Phraseologism Cry (cry) into your vest

Phraseologism “Cry (cry) into your vest” used in the sense of complaining to someone about one’s bitter fate, seeking sympathy and support. The expression is actually Russian. It comes from the habit of those who complain about their fate to fall, crying, to the chest (or shoulder) of the person from whom they are seeking sympathy. The phraseological unit “Cry (cry) into your vest” is a catch phrase.

61. Phraseologism Spit at the ceiling

Phraseologism “Spit at the ceiling” used to mean - to do nothing. The phraseological unit “Spit at the ceiling” is a catch phrase.

62. Phraseologism Weave (fence) fence

Phraseologism “To weave (fence) a fence” used to mean - to talk idle talk, to talk nonsense. Initially, the combination of weaving a wattle fence and fencing a wattle fence was used in the literal sense of “connecting, entwining rods, making a fence.” The figurative meaning was formulated on the basis of the similarity of making a fence from twigs and monotonous, sluggish speech. The phraseological unit “Weave (fence) a fence” is a catch phrase.

63. Phraseologism Weave bast shoes

Phraseologism “Weave bast shoes” has the meaning: 1) to confuse something in the case; 2) conduct an intricate, confused conversation (often with the aim of deceiving). The expression contains the name of one of the realities of Russian life. Bastwork - weaving bast shoes, matting, boxes from bast - did not require special skill, which is also reflected in other proverbs: To lead a house - do not weave bast shoes; Living at home is not sewing a basket. The phraseological unit “Weave bast shoes” is a catch phrase.

64. Phraseologism You can’t break a butt with a whip

Phraseologism “You can’t break a butt with a whip” used to mean - it is useless to fight more strong point; it is useless to do anything, the energy expended will be wasted. The butt is the blunt side of a sharp weapon (usually an axe), opposite the blade. The origin of the expression is associated with skirmishes between coachmen and attacking robbers: a whip for the driver, an ax for the robber. The image is based on the opposition of a flexible whip to a solid metal butt. The phraseological unit “You can’t break a butt with a whip” is a popular expression.

65. Phraseologism Flat wit

Phraseologism “Flat wit” used to mean a vulgar, rude joke. This expression is a tracing-paper from the French une plaisanterie plate. Associated with the fashion for high heels. Only noble people could wear high-heeled shoes; common people wore low heels. This is where the word flat gets the meaning “rough.”

66. Phraseologism Flesh of the flesh

Phraseologism “Flesh of the flesh.” The ancient formula, used to designate the closest, filial relationship, apparently sounded like this: “You (he, she) are blood from my blood and flesh from my flesh,” that is, everything in you was born by me.

Now we repeat the ancient saying, not only when talking about blood relationship, but always when we need to point out close, immediate proximity to the older generation. The phraseological unit “Flesh of the flesh” is a catch phrase.

67. Phraseologism The bad soldier is the one who does not dream of being a general

Phraseologism “The bad soldier is the one who does not dream of being a general.” The meaning of the phraseology is that you shouldn’t even get down to business if you don’t want to achieve maximum results and don’t set yourself the most ambitious goals.

The emergence of phraseological units is from the collection of A.F. Pogossky (1816-1874) entitled “Soldier's Notes” (1855), which contains various aphorisms and teachings. Among them is this: “A bad soldier is one who does not think about being a general, and even worse is one who thinks too much about what will happen to him.” Only the first part of the expression has gone to the people.

68. Phraseologism Go with the flow

Phraseologism “Go with the flow” used to mean - to obey the influence of circumstances, the course of events. The phraseological unit “Go with the flow” is a catch phrase.

69. Phraseologism Spit in the soul

Phraseologism “Spit in the soul” used to mean - to insult. The phraseological unit “Spit in the soul” is a catch phrase.

70. Phraseologism Dancing to someone else’s tune

Phraseologism “Dance to someone else’s tune.” Two and a half thousand years ago, during the war with the Medes, the Persian king Cyrus tried in vain to win over the Greeks of Asia Minor to his side. When he conquered the Medes, the Greeks expressed their readiness to submit to him. To this he told their ambassadors Aesop’s fable “The Fisherman and the Fishes.” One flute player, who saw fish in the sea, began to play the flute, expecting them to come to him on land. Having lost his hope, he took a net, threw it in and pulled out many fish. Seeing how the fish were fighting in the nets, he said to them: “Stupid! Stop dancing. When I played the flute, you didn’t want to do it, but now that I’ve stopped, you dance.”

“Dancing to someone else’s tune” means: to obey someone, to act according to someone else’s suggestion, to follow someone else’s will. The phraseological unit “Dance to someone else’s tune” is a catch phrase.

71. Phraseologism Dance of St. Vitus (Witt's Dance)

Phraseologism “Dance of St. Vitus” used to mean a nervous disease, the same as chorea (a type of hyperkinesis, which is manifested by rapid twitching of the limbs, winking, smacking, etc.). The name is associated with the legend that at the chapel of St. Witt in Zabern (Alsace) cured patients suffering from convulsions reminiscent of dance movements.

72. Phraseologism Through cities and towns

Phraseologism “Across cities and villages” used to mean - everywhere. “Vesi” in this ancient expression are villages, villages. Now this word can designate both a district and a quarter that is part of the city.

73. Phraseologism A lion is recognized by its claws

Phraseologism “They recognize a lion by its claws” used to mean that one can judge from a part the whole, the level of skill; an outstanding author can be easily recognized even by an insignificant detail of his creation. This is a translation of the Latin expression ex ungue leonem, which in turn goes back to a Greek source. There are different assumptions about its authorship. The expression is attributed to Alcaeus, Plutarch, Phidias, Lucian and others.

74. Phraseologism Add in the first number (prescribe)

Phraseologism “Pour in on the first day” used to mean - to severely punish someone. The expression goes back to the ancient practice of flogging a student. Every week a student was flogged, regardless of whether he was guilty or not. If the spanking was severe, then the spanking lasted for the following weeks until the first day of the next month. The phraseological unit “Pour in the first number” is a popular expression.

75. Phraseologism According to the last word

Phraseologism “According to the last word” used in the meaning - in accordance with the latest achievements.

76. Phraseologism On a drunken bench

Phraseologism “On a drunken bench” used in the sense of being drunk, being in a drunken state. Phraseologism "In a drunken shop" is a popular expression.

77. Phraseologism According to Senka and a hat

Phraseologism “According to Senka and a hat.” The nobility of the boyar family in old Rus' could be easily determined by the height of their fur “gorlatny” (they were called gorlatny because the fur for them was taken from the throat of a killed animal) hats. The more noble and dignified the nobleman was, the higher such a hat rose above his head.

The common people did not have the right (or even the means) to wear these luxurious hats made of marten, beaver or sable fur. This is where the proverbs were born: “According to Senka and the hat” or “According to Erem and the cap”, that is: to each honor according to his deserts.

78. Phraseologism Friendship won

Phraseologism “Friendship won.” It is said when in any competition or competition the competing parties achieved the same, equal result. The phraseological unit “Friendship won” is a catch phrase.

79. Phraseologism The winner is not judged

Phraseologism “The winner is not judged.” These words, which have become popular, are attributed to Catherine II, and she allegedly said them when A.V. Suvorov, who was distinguished by the bold independence in his actions as a commander, was put on trial for the storming of the Turtukai fortress in 1773, undertaken contrary to the orders of Field Marshal Rumyantsev.

However, the story about Suvorov’s unauthorized actions during the capture of Turtukai and about putting him on trial is not entirely historically reliable. The phraseology “The winner is not judged” is a catch phrase.

80. Phraseologism Defeat the enemy with little bloodshed

Phraseologism “Defeat the enemy with little blood” expresses a capricious sentiment about the fact that victory somewhere or in something will be achieved with a little effort, without much strain and effort.

The emergence of phraseological units - according to D.F. Maslovsky, the author of the historical work “Notes on the History of Military Art in Russia,” an expression similar in meaning: “with easy labor and little bloodshed,” as a definition of the essence of military art, belongs to the Russian Emperor Peter I (1672-1725).

Usually the expression is associated with the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, when the Soviet leadership believed that the Nazi-German invaders could be defeated with “little bloodshed.”

81. Phraseologism Take my word for it

Phraseologism “Take my word for it” used in the sense of believing someone’s words without checking what is stated in them. The phraseological unit “Take my word for it” is a catch phrase.

82. Phraseologism Turn back time

Phraseologism “Turn back time” used in the sense of returning the past. The phraseological unit “Turn back time” is a popular expression.

83. Phraseologism Hang (hang) nose

Phraseologism “Hang your nose” used in the sense of becoming despondent, despairing, upset. The phraseological unit “Hang your nose” is a catch phrase.

84. Phraseologism A guilty head and a sword does not cut

Phraseologism “Not even a sword can cut a guilty head.” The meaning of the expression: guilt is mitigated by recognition, i.e. As a rule, severe punishment is not applied to people who admit their sins; on the contrary, their punishment is mitigated.

The emergence of phraseological units is a Russian proverb.

85. Phraseologism Pogibosh aki obri (obry, obre)

Phraseologism “Pogibosha aki aubry” used in the meaning - about someone or something who died, disappeared without a trace. Expression from The Tale of Bygone Years. Obra (Avars), having captured in the 6th century. Slavic tribe of Dulebs, they were cruelly mocked. For this God destroyed the Avars.

86. Phraseologism Have a heart-to-heart talk

Phraseologism “Have a heart-to-heart talk” used to mean - to talk frankly. The phraseological unit “Have a heart-to-heart talk” is a catch phrase.

87. Phraseologism Under (big) question

Phraseologism “Under (big) question” used in the sense of something doubtful, not known for sure. The phraseological unit “Under (big) question” is a catch phrase.

88. Phraseologism Under the heel

Phraseologism “Under the heel” used to mean - under the strong control of the wife. The phraseological unit “Under the heel” is a catch phrase.

89. Phraseologism Under the guise

Phraseologism “Under the guise.” In the old Russian language, a mask was called a mask. This is where the figurative meaning of the word “disguise” arose: feigned, false appearance and simply pretense. When in I. A. Krylov’s fable “The Peasant and the Snake” it says:

Change your identity as you wish:
You can’t save yourself under it...

This means: pretending will not help you. “Under the guise” - not in his usual form, under the guise of a mask.

Similar expressions: “change your disguise”, “rip off someone’s disguise”, “put on a disguise” - do not need to be explained, as does the combination of words “hiding behind a mask”.

90. Phraseologism Under the fly (to be)

Phraseologism “Under the fly (to be)” used to mean - in a state of slight intoxication. Initially, the whorl had the shape of a fly. The expression arose from the speech of players in the card game fly and meant “with winning, with luck, with mastery of the fly.” The winnings were probably accompanied by drinking. The phraseological unit “Under the fly (to be)” is a catch phrase.

91. Phraseologism Cut a nut into a nut

Phraseologism “Cut into a nut.” We saw among those phrases that we examined a huge number borrowed from ancient peoples, many that came from literary book sources, a very large number that originated in religious, so-called sacred books.

But thousands of them were born in the language of various artisans, came out of the speech of peasants, artisans, and all kinds of artisans. This is not surprising: work, labor, skill always enrich the language more than anything else.

This is exactly how the expression “to cut like a nut” was born, which at first meant “to do in the best possible way”, and now it means “to completely scold” (sometimes even “to beat brutally”).

And this expression arose among carpenters: they often had to “cut” ordinary crafts made from simple birch, painting them so that they looked like “walnut”, “oak”, “mahogany”.

92. Phraseologism Under the boot (shoe) to be (to be, to hold)

Phraseologism “Be under the boot.” Remember Robinson Crusoe. When the savage, the future Friday, who had just been rescued by Robinson, tried to earn the trust and protection of his master, he, among other signs of submission, repeatedly lay down on the ground in front of his master and placed his foot on his head.

Among many peoples, it was customary to prostrate oneself before the master and place his foot on one’s neck or head, thereby expressing one’s obedience and submission. This custom is reflected in the phrase: “under the heel” - that is, “under power”, “under the yoke”.

From all this it is already easy to understand the meaning of the comic expression in our title: “To be under the shoe” - to be subordinate to someone, under someone’s authority.

93. Phraseologism Quietly

Phraseologism “On the sly” used in the meaning - quietly, furtively, without attracting attention to oneself. In the language of musicians, a mute is a small device with which you can weaken or muffle the sound of a particular musical instrument. The word comes from Lat. “surdus” (voiceless).

94. Phraseologism Under a lucky star (to be born)

Phraseologism “Under a lucky star.” Astronomy is the science of the sky and celestial bodies. Not so long ago, next to this great and profound science, there existed (and still exists abroad) the charlatan science of astrology. Astrologers claimed that a person’s “fate” depended on “under what star he was born,” because different stars V different time years and days rise into the sky, and people are also born at different times. By compiling horoscopes - special “magic” tables of the location of stars in the sky and their movements - astrologers predicted events in the lives of people and in the life of the whole world. At the same time, some of their stars were considered “happy”, others were not.

This is where the combination of words came from: “to be born under a lucky star,” just like many others figurative expressions: “his star rose” or “set” (that is, his glory “began” or “ended”), “Napoleon sacredly believed in his star,” in the fact that he was destined for a brilliant future.

Although now no reasonable person attaches importance to such fabrications, nevertheless, even today everyone will understand what it means “he was born under a lucky star”: this means that he is lucky, he is always lucky. The phraseological unit “Under a lucky star” is a catch phrase.

95. Phraseologism Under the boss / driver

Phraseologism “Under the boss / driver” used in the sense of being drunk, being in a drunken state.

96. Phraseologism Under the auspices

Phraseologism “Under the auspices.” In Ancient Greece, the word "egis" originally meant goatskin, which was used to cover willow shields, and then the combat shield itself - a cover. The shield of the father of the gods Zeus, covered with the skin of the goat Amalthea (see “Cornucopia”), was also called the “aegis”.

Therefore, “to be under the auspices”, “to act under the auspices” means: to enjoy someone’s patronage, protection.

97. Phraseologism Gift of Fate

Phraseologism “Gift of Fate” used to mean an extremely favorable event. The phraseological unit “Gift of Fate” is a catch phrase.

98. Phraseologism Bring under the monastery

Phraseologism “Bring under the monastery” used in the meaning - to put in a difficult, unpleasant position, to bring under punishment. There are several versions of the origin of the turnover, here are the most convincing: 1) the turnover arose because people who had big troubles in life usually went to the monastery; 2) the expression is connected with the fact that Russian guides led enemies under the walls of monasteries, which during the war turned into fortresses. The phraseological unit “Bring it under the monastery” is a catch phrase.

99. Phraseologism The veins are shaking

Phraseologism “The veins are shaking” used to mean strong fear. The phraseological unit “The hamstrings are shaking” is a catch phrase.

100. Phraseologism Real truth

Phraseologism “The Real Truth.” Here is an excellent example of an expression, the original meaning of which (now it means: absolute truth, absolute truth) can only be established by a historian of language. “The real truth” is the one that Ancient Rus' they snatched it from the defendant, who was locking himself during interrogation, beating him with “originals” - special long sticks. It goes without saying that this expression arose in the language of clerks and court clerks: the defendants themselves knew very well that a person exhausted by torture can confess to something of which he is not guilty; The “real truth” was not always the truth.

101. Phraseologism Add fuel to the fire

Phraseologism “Add fuel to the fire.” By any actions, deeds, aggravate relationships, strengthen any moods (usually negative). The phraseological unit “Add fuel to the fire” is a catch phrase.

102. Phraseologism Plant a pig

Phraseologism “Put a pig” has meanings: 1) The triangular “pig” battle formation was considered very formidable. Perhaps that’s why the words “to screw over” (to someone) began to mean: to cause a big nuisance. It is curious that in German idiomatic expression"to have a pig" means "luck". “Er hat shwein” (“he has a pig”) – he is lucky. 2) An episode from F. Rabelais’ book “Gargantua and Pantagruel” about the trick that Brother Jean resorted to when preparing for the battle with sausages can also be considered interesting for explaining the phrase “put a pig on the table.” Repeating the trick of the ancient Greeks during the siege of Troy, he ordered the construction of a huge pig and, together with the cooks, hid inside it. At the decisive moment, the cooks, led by brother Jean, jumped out of cover and put the stunned enemy to flight. 3) It is possible that the basis for them was the invincible aversion of some eastern peoples (in particular, the Tatars) to pork meat. A Mohammedan who was “put on a pig” at a meal, that is, treated to pork in a deceptive manner, became extremely angry and almost fell ill. It is very likely that our expression came from here. The phraseological unit “Put a pig” is a catch phrase.

103. Phraseologism The ins and outs of truth

Phraseologism “The Ins and Outs of Truth” used to mean the true essence of something. One of the types of torture in Ancient Rus' was that needles, nails or wooden wedges were driven under the fingernails of the interrogated person in order to force him to tell the whole truth. The expression “find out all the ins and outs” is also connected with this.

104. Phraseologism Offering bread and salt

Phraseologism “Offer bread and salt” used to mean a friendly welcome, a meeting of dear, welcome guests. The phraseological unit “Offer bread and salt” is a catch phrase.

105. Phraseologism Raise on the shield

Phraseologism “Raise on a shield” used in the sense of exalting, praising someone. 1.The expression goes back to the ritual of proclaiming the emperor by the warriors of Ancient Rome. The title of the supreme commander of the troops, emperor, was originally assigned to the commander who won an important victory for the Romans. At the same time, the military leader was raised on a shield. 2. The phraseological unit arose on the basis of the custom of the ancient Germans to raise a newly elected leader on a shield so that everyone could see him.

106. Phraseologism Background of the case

Phraseologism “Background of the case” used to mean a hidden basis, a secret and deep reason for something. In the old Russian language (in peasant life to this day), the upper part of the shirt - its chest and “underarm” - was called “podoplyokoy”. There was also a saying: “Your background is closer to your heart.” The phraseological unit “The background of the matter” is a catch phrase.

107. Phraseologism Underground millionaire

Phraseologism “Underground millionaire” used in relation to a rich man who has made a fortune through illegal fraud and is now hiding from others the true size of his impressive fortune, pretending to be a person who has little or no money. The emergence of a phraseological unit - from the novel by Ilya Ilf (1897-1937) and Yevgeny Petrov (1903-1942) “The Golden Calf” (1931): Alexander Ivanovich Koreiko is an underground Soviet millionaire. However, Koreiko is forced to hide his wealth, since he does not have the slightest opportunity to use it in the USSR, because by spending more than the official salary, he can attract the attention of the relevant punitive authorities.

108. Phraseologism Decoy duck

Phraseologism “Decoy duck”. A decoy is nothing more than a bait, a trap that serves as a tool for catching someone or similar purposes.

The emergence of phraseological units comes from the hunting environment. A decoy duck is a specially domesticated breed of mallard ducks that is used as bait when hunting drakes (males). The decoy duck lands on the surface of the reservoir, serving as a target for the anxious drakes, and the hunter, meanwhile, buries himself in some kind of shelter, waiting for gentlemen for the mallard. For greater hunting, along with a decoy mallard, you can place several more wooden duck models on the surface of the water. As soon as the drake appears next to our decoy duck, the hunter raises his gun and shoots at the bird in a group.

109. Phraseologism Podshofe

Phraseologism "Podshofe" used to mean - in a state of slight intoxication, tipsy. This expression is apparently based on the French participle chauffe “heated, burnt with alcohol.”

110. Phraseologism The train has left

Phraseologism “The train has left” used in the sense of a missed opportunity. The phraseological unit “The train has left” is a catch phrase.

111. Phraseologism If you eat, you can sleep. We slept - we can eat

Phraseologism “If you eat, you can sleep. If you sleep, you can eat” is used as a humorous commentary on the lifestyle of lazy, inactive people.

The emergence of phraseological units is from the cartoon “Thumbelina” (1964). Stage director - L. Amalrik, screenwriter - N. Erdaman. Two frogs, mother and son, sleep in a pond, waking up periodically to snack on insects. At the same time, the mother frog comments: “Well, we’ve eaten, now we can sleep. Well, we got some sleep. Now we can eat.” The son soon gets tired of doing the same thing, and he decides to marry Thumbelina.

112. Phraseologism Let's wait and see

Phraseologism “We’ll wait and see” used in the meaning - the future will show. It is said when one does not want to speak out about something that is not clear at the moment, something that will become clear only over time. The phraseology “We'll wait and see” is a catch phrase.

113. Phraseologism Reap laurels

Phraseologism “Reap laurels” used in the sense of enjoying the fruits of achieved fame, fame, honor, success. In Greece, the winners were crowned with a laurel wreath. To reap here is to extract, receive, deserve. The phraseological unit “Reap laurels” is a catch phrase.

114. Phraseologism Reap the benefits

Phraseologism “Reap the benefits” used in the sense of enjoying the fruits of achieved fame, fame, honor, success. To reap here is to extract, receive, deserve. The phraseological unit “Reap the benefits” is a catch phrase.

115. Phraseologism It’s too late to drink Borjomi when the liver has dissolved

Phraseologism “It’s too late to drink Borjomi when the liver has dissolved” used in the sense of a statement of a delayed reaction to something, an attempt to regain lost opportunities, to restore the previous position (we are talking, in particular, about health). A typical colloquial phraseological unit, available in many variants. In V. Kuzmich’s book “The Burning Word: A Dictionary of Folk Phraseology” this saying is recorded in the following form, for example: “It’s too late, dad, to drink Borjomi when the buds have fallen off.” The origin of this kind of expression is, as a rule, as unidentifiable as the authorship of the jokes.

116. Phraseologism Gild the pill

Phraseologism “Gild the pill.” Everyone knows what a pill is: it is a small ball rolled from a medicinal substance (the Latin word “pilula” means “ball”). But it’s unlikely that any of you have ever seen “golden” pills.

Medicines taken in pills are not always pleasant to taste or look. Therefore, in the old days, pharmacists sometimes covered them with a sweet substance of a beautiful golden color, intending to captivate with this mainly small children. Becoming more attractive in appearance, the pills did not lose their bitterness.

This is where a lot of mocking images came from: “gilding the pill” - to describe the attractiveness or harmlessness of something unpleasant; “sweeten the pill” - sweeten the bad news with sweet words; “swallowing a pill” means experiencing trouble, sometimes hearing the bitter truth; “to deliver a pill” - to cause sudden grief to another person, to suddenly say something unpleasant and poisonous.

117. Phraseologism Gild the handle

Phraseologism “Gild the handle” has meanings: 1. Give someone (usually a gypsy) money for fortune telling. 2. Pay someone for a service; bribe someone.

118. Phraseologism Take at your word

Phraseologism “Take at your word” used in the sense of asking someone to do or promise to do what was said. The phraseological unit “Take at your word” is a catch phrase.

119. Phraseologism Go under the windows, wander under the window

Phraseologism “Go under the windows” used in the sense of begging, begging, begging. Beggars used to walk under the windows (under the window), collecting alms.

120. Phraseologism While the court and the case

Phraseologism “Until the trial and the case” used in the meaning - while something is happening, lasting, stretching.

121. Phraseologism Show Kuzkin’s mother

Phraseologism “Show Kuzka’s mother” used to mean a threat (often playful).

122. Phraseologism Show where crayfish spend the winter

Phraseologism “Show where crayfish spend the winter” used to mean an expression of threat. The turnover is associated with the times of serfdom, when landowners left for the winter in the cities, where the season of balls and receptions began. Crayfish were considered one of the most delicious dishes at dinner parties. Gourmets claimed that crayfish are truly tasty only in those months whose names contain the letter r, i.e. from September to April. Since crayfish were needed in winter, we had to climb into the cold water to get them. It was very difficult to find them in their burrows. The phraseology “Show where crayfish spend the winter” is a catch phrase.

123. Phraseologism Veil of Isis

Phraseologism “Veil of Isis” used in the meaning - about the innermost secret, hidden truth. Isis is the ancient Egyptian goddess of the productive forces of nature, possessing deep wisdom and knowledge of hidden secrets. In the Sais temple there was a statue of the goddess, covered with thick cloth. No one dared to touch the veil until the goddess herself took it off.

124. Phraseologism Buying a pig in a poke

Phraseologism “Buying a pig in a poke” used in the sense of acquiring something without knowing anything about the quality and merits of what is being acquired. The expression is known in many foreign languages ​​(French, Chinese, etc.). It dates back to the Middle Ages, when scammers tried to sell a cat instead of a hare or rabbit. The phraseological unit “Buying a pig in a poke” is a catch phrase.

125. Phraseologism Flight of Icarus

Phraseologism “Flight of Icarus”. Among the Greek myths there is one particularly beautiful one. It tells the story of the Athenian architect, sculptor, painter and inventor Daedalus and his son Icarus.

According to legend, it was Daedalus who built the famous Labyrinth on the island of Crete for the Minotaur. He also gave the daughter of the Cretan king Ariadne a ball of thread, with the help of which the hero Theseus, having killed the Minotaur, got out of the Labyrinth.

For this, King Minos imprisoned Daedalus and Icarus. However, Daedalus made wings for himself and his son from bird feathers molded with wax. On these wings Daedalus and Icarus flew away from the island. When they flew over the Aegean Sea, Icarus, contrary to his father's prohibition, rose high towards the sun. The sun melted the wax on his wings, they disintegrated, and Icarus drowned in the sea.

The name Icarus became a household name. This is what they call a person who is inquisitive, searching, boldly moving towards success, rising above the everyday life. And the expression “flight of Icarus” is used to mean: bold, but risky daring. The phraseological unit “Flight of Icarus” is a catch phrase.

126. Phraseologism Crawling like a snail

Phraseologism “Crawl like a snail” used to mean - very slowly. The phraseology “Crawl like a snail” is a catch phrase.

127. Phraseologism Crawl on your bellies

Phraseologism “Crawl on your bellies” used to mean crawling on your elbows without lifting your body from the ground. Plastuns are military scouts of the Cossack army. During hostilities, plastuns, hiding in the reeds, watched the enemy’s actions for hours. For this ability to lie flat for a long time they were called plastuns. The phraseological unit “Crawl on your belly” is a catch phrase.

128. Phraseologism Throwing mud

Phraseologism “Throw mud” used to mean - to slander someone. The phraseological unit “Throwing mud” is a catch phrase.

129. Phraseologism Political prostitutes

Phraseologism “Political prostitutes.” The phrase is currently used to refer to politicians who change their Political Views Like gloves - with whom it is more profitable, we adhere to those views.

The emergence of phraseological units is found in the Pravda newspaper of January 3, 1918 in the article “Beware!”: “Bankers, factory owners, factory owners hire hooligans, former detectives, right-wing Socialist Revolutionaries, counterintelligence officers, all political prostitutes.”

130. Phraseologism Regulation obliges

Phraseologism “The situation obliges.” The meaning of the phraseological unit is that a person’s social status imposes on him certain responsibilities that do not allow him to perform certain actions. The emergence of phraseological units is from the book of the French writer Duke Gaston de Devy (1764-1830) “Sayings and Thoughts” (1808): “Noble (noble) origin obliges.”

In the Russian language, the reference to noble origin was replaced by “position”. Phraseologism in French: “Noblesse oblige.”

131. Phraseologism The situation is worse than the governor’s

Phraseologism “The situation is worse than the governor’s” used to mean an extremely difficult, unpleasant situation. There are two versions of the origin of the turnover:

1. The expression is taken from horse breeding argot. The governor there was a test male who was allowed near the mare to irritate her before mating with a thoroughbred sire. The phraseological unit arose as a result of a punning rethinking based on homonymic similarity.

2. The expression goes back to the decree of Paul I on the recovery of damages in case of postal robbery from the governor of a given province, issued by him in 1800 in connection with a major postal robbery in the Kostroma province. The decree caused a real stir among the governors.

132. Phraseologism Put an eye

Phraseologism “Lay eye” used in the sense of liking something. The phraseological unit “Put an eye” is a catch phrase.

133. Phraseologism Put under the cloth

Phraseologism “Put under the carpet” used in the sense of postponing some matter for an indefinite period of time, leaving it without consideration, not giving it any progress. The cloth here is woolen fabric with a smooth surface, which covered the desk. The case was shelved - which means that the case was left without execution (initially, the paper was not signed).

134. Phraseologism Lucky streak

Phraseologism “Lucky streak” used to mean the time when everything works out. The phraseological unit “Lucky streak” is a catch phrase.

135. Phraseologism Remember with a kind word

Phraseologism “Remember with a kind word” used in the sense of remembering someone well. The phraseological unit “Remember with a kind word” is a catch phrase.

136. Phraseologism Monday is a hard day

Phraseologism “Monday is a hard day” used to mean an explanation for the failure of a business started on Monday, an unwillingness to do anything on that day. There are two versions of the origin of this turnover.

1. The expression goes back to the pagan superstition that Monday is the day of the Moon, the patroness of sorcery, sorcery and witchcraft. Therefore, a person who started a business on Monday risked facing opposition from sorcerers.

2. Monday, according to superstitious beliefs, is a black, difficult day. On this day, previously superstitious people did not start business or go on the road. There is a belief about this day, based on the fact that, according to the Bible, God, having created the world, after five of the six days of creation repeated: “And it was good.” Only after the second day - Monday - is this phrase not found in the Bible. The phraseology “Monday is a hard day” is a catch phrase.

137. Phraseologism Understand in sausage scraps

Phraseologism “Understand in sausage trimmings” used in the meaning - not to understand anything, not to make sense, not to understand (cf: like a pig understands oranges.); more often used in the form of a question: what do you understand about sausage trimmings? Sausage scraps are leftovers from cutting sausage (tails, rings), which are usually thrown away. The expression arose as a result of a rethinking of the original meaning (what can be understood by garbage?). The phraseological unit “Understand in sausage trimmings” is a catch phrase.

138. Phraseologism Get (get) into trouble

Phraseologism “Get (get) into trouble” used to mean - to get into a difficult, stupid, awkward or funny situation, to overlook danger. It appeared in the speech of old Russian spinners and rope masters and was formed from the combination of getting into trouble. The word prosak has been lost in the modern Russian language, since the reality itself has passed away - the rope mill, the machine on which in the old days the ropes that stretched from the spinning wheel to the sleigh were twisted. When working with prosak, the spinner was in great danger if his beard, clothes or hand got into the machine: he could lose not only his beard, but sometimes his health or life. The expression to get into trouble, where the adverb in trouble is formed from a combination of a noun with a preposition, which is traditional for Russian adverbs, has lost its direct meaning and has now begun to be used only figuratively, that is, it has acquired the status of a phraseological unit. The phraseological unit “Get into trouble” is a catch phrase.

139. Phraseologism Get/get from the ship to the ball

Phraseologism “Get/get from the ship to the ball” has meanings: 1. About a person who ends up on something after a long absence or travel. festival. 2. About smb. a sharp, rapid transition from one environment to another, from one activity to another, a rapid change of situations. The phraseological unit “Get/get from the ship to the ball” is a catch phrase.

140. Phraseologism Fall for (fall for) the bait

Phraseologism “Fall into the bait” used in the sense of letting oneself be deceived, outwitted, tricked. The phraseological unit “Falling for bait” is a catch phrase.

141. Phraseologism Hit the (very) bull's eye

Phraseologism “Hit the (very) bull’s eye.” Anyone who has been to a shooting range has probably heard how a shooter who hits a target is said: “Well done, you hit the bull’s eye,” “you hit the bull’s eye.”

But why is the black circle of the target compared to an apple? Couldn't there have been a better comparison? It's probably possible. But the whole point is that this expression, it seems, owes its origin to one legend.

Legend says that in 1307, the Austrian governor in Switzerland, Tesler, wanting to trample on the sense of national dignity of the Swiss people he enslaved, ordered honor to be paid to his hat, mounted on a pole in the center of the square.

The peasant William Tell, returning home with his son, passed by the hat without bowing to it. As punishment for disobedience, Tesler ordered Tell to shoot an apple from his son's head with a bow. Surrounded by cruel enslavers who watched the execution of this inhumane order with gloating, Tell was forced to shoot. The presence of mind did not change the courageous shooter - he hit the very core of the apple. The next arrow was fired by Tell into Tesler's heart. Thus, according to legend, began the uprising of Swiss peasants for the liberation of their country from foreign oppression.

Many songs and poems have been written about the brave and freedom-loving Tyrolean.

A drama by the German poet Schiller and an opera by the Italian composer Rossini are dedicated to William Tell.

But did Tell exist? Is this person historical or fictitious? Legend or reality?

In Schiller's time and even at the beginning of our century, no one doubted the real existence of Tell. Encyclopedic dictionaries included his portrait and indicated the date of birth and death. However, now historians have come to the conclusion that Tell is an image created by the people, a hero of legend, symbolizing the courage and love of freedom of the Swiss.

It is possible that the echo of this legend about a well-aimed shooter knocking down an apple served as the reason for the creation of a figurative expression in some languages.

142. Phraseologism Get plucked like chickens

Phraseologism “To be plucked like chickens” used in the sense of a person who unexpectedly finds himself in an awkward or stupid position. Chicken - “rooster”, “pluck” - from the verb to pluck.

143. Phraseologism Climb into hell before daddy

Phraseologism “Climb into hell before daddy” used in the sense of unnecessary haste in any matter, a decision, often unpleasant and one that it is better not to do yourself. The origin of the saying may be associated with the meaning of the word peklo “hell, hellfire” (i.e. it is pointless to die - go to hell - before your parents) or, more likely, with the figurative meaning of the word peplo “a matter associated with increased risk and requiring experience” (i.e., don’t go into hell before your dad means “give a more experienced person the opportunity to handle such a thing”). The phraseology “Climb into hell before daddy” is a catch phrase.

144. Phraseologism Brainstorm

Phraseologism “Spread your brains” used in the meaning - to reflect, to think about something. The phraseological unit “Spread your brains” is a catch phrase.

145. Phraseologism Spawn of Echidna

Phraseologism “Breed of Echidna” used to mean something monstrous, terrible. The phraseology goes back to the ancient myth of Echidna, who gave birth to a monstrous wild pig from Typhon, which devastated the surroundings of the city of Kromion (she was killed by Theseus), as well as the Chimera, a fire-breathing winged monster with a lion's head, the body of a goat and a snake's tail, which devastated Lycia (killed by Bellerophon). The daughter of Echidna is also the Lernaean Hydra, a monster with the body of a snake and nine heads of a dragon, and the enormous Nemean Lion (killed by Hercules).

146. Phraseologism Vicious circle (circulus vitiosus)

Phraseologism “Vicious circle”. Even ancient scientists noticed that in disputes, people often, trying to prove their point, make one mistake. So, for example, when defining something, they resort to a concept, which itself is defined with the help of the concept being defined. For example: “The essential features of an object are those features that are essential for the subject.”

In simple cases, the error is easy to notice, but in more complex cases (for example, during mathematical proofs), you can fall into a “vicious circle” completely involuntarily.

Now we usually talk much more often about a “vicious circle” about a situation from which you can’t find a way out. “The arms race increases tension and mistrust between states, and tension and mistrust between states accelerates the arms race. Thus, a vicious circle arises." The phraseological unit “Vicious circle” is a catch phrase.

147. Phraseologism After the rain on Thursday

Phraseologism “After the rain on Thursday” used in the meaning - it is unknown when, never.

The phraseological unit is associated with the veneration of the god Perun (the god of thunder and lightning) by the ancient Slavs. Thursday was dedicated to him. In Christian times, the expression began to express complete distrust of paganism.

About what, in the speaker’s opinion, will happen only through big time. The phraseological unit “After the rain on Thursday” is a catch phrase.

148. Phraseologism After me (us) - even a flood!

Phraseologism “After me (us) - even a flood!” Tradition attributes these words either to the French king Louis XV, who once said that until his death he hopes to preserve the monarchy in France, and “after me - even a flood!”, or to his close associates - the Marquise of Pompadour or Viscountess DuBarry.

It doesn’t matter which of them uttered the cynical words: in any case, they perfectly convey the extreme selfishness of the despotic rulers of France. It is not for nothing that we now use them when we want to express indignation at short-sighted, selfish and imprudent policies. Phraseologism “After me (us) - even a flood!” is a catch phrase.

149. Phraseologism Last Chinese warning

Phraseologism “Last Chinese warning” used in the sense of a warning, which is the last only in words. The emergence of turnover is associated with the conflict between the USSR and China in 1969 (Damansky Island). The Chinese government sent several “last” warnings to the USSR Foreign Ministry in connection with this conflict. There are various options, for example: the first, one hundred and first last Chinese warning, the thirtieth last Chinese warning, etc. The PRC regularly issued warnings about the unfriendly actions of the United States in the region. At that time - the 50s - 60s - the United States did not recognize the Mao regime as legitimate, insisting that the only legitimate representative of the Chinese people and head of state was Chiang Kai-shek, who at that time had already been driven out to Taiwan. And they behaved accordingly. The PRC regularly staged protests, and they began like this: “This is the order of the day... the last warning.” Reconnaissance flights of aircraft over the territory of the PRC, constant violations of maritime borders by warships... etc. No attention to warnings<…>And there were jokes on this subject both here and in the USA. Although we were very friendly in those days. Therefore, all these warnings were read out over the radio by Levitan with the appropriate mournful and solemn intonation. And when Khrushchev and Mao did not share world domination, the open letters(see Vysotsky) “for lovers of dangerous adventures”: And by the time of the conflict, no one had yet forgotten that old joke about essentially fruitless warnings. Hence the funny jokes. With the corresponding result.

Latest Chinese Warning An ironic expression implying that there may be several recent warnings. The phraseology “Last Chinese warning” is a catch phrase.

150. Phraseologism The last argument of kings

Phraseologism “The Last Argument of Kings.” A playful, ironic expression used in relation to a decisive argument, an argument that must be applied in order to tip the scales in one’s favor. Sometimes these decisive arguments can be extremely “harsh”.

The emergence of phraseological units is the inscription in Latin (“Ultima ratio regum”), which was minted on all cannons cast in France, by order of the cardinal and first minister of King Louis XIII of France, Jean Armand Richelieu (1585-1642). After all, if the matter cannot be resolved diplomatically, the king will always have a more compelling argument, which should never be forgotten. Later, the Prussian king Frederick II the Great (1712-1786) decided to follow a similar example, who also ordered the words about the king’s last argument to be minted on distinguished cannons. Moreover, Frederick the Great’s inscription sounded exactly like “the king’s argument” (“Ultima ratio regis”), and not “kings,” emphasizing the affiliation with this particular ruler.

151. Phraseologism The Last of the Mohicans

Phraseologism “The Last of the Mohicans.” There are few people who have not read F. Cooper’s fascinating novel “The Last of the Mohicans.” It tells about the bitter fate of the last representative of the noble tribe of North American Indians, exterminated by the “pale-faced” Europeans.

The Mohicans (more precisely, Mohegans) lived south of the Hudson River and were part of the Delaware tribal union.

Already about a hundred years ago they were destroyed by whites.

With Cooper's light hand, the combination of the words “last of the Mohicans” began to mean generally the last representative of any group of people. Thus, Pushkin’s expression “this rest of the glorious flock of Catherine’s eagles,” which he attributed to Kutuzov, could be replaced with the words “the last of the Mohicans of Catherine’s century.”

152. Phraseologism The last straw

Phraseologism “The last straw” used in the sense of something after which a turning point in events occurs. The phraseological unit “The last straw” is a catch phrase.

153. Phraseologism Quarrel to smithereens

Phraseologism “Quarrel to smithereens” used to mean - to greatly ruin a relationship with someone.

154. Phraseologism Put at the forefront

Phraseologism “Put at the forefront” used in the sense of recognizing something as the most significant, important, basic - “cornerstone”. The phraseological unit arose in the speech of ancient architects and builders, who began the construction of a building by laying the “cornerstone”, which was laid with special care, since the strength and correctness of the building’s shape depended on this. The parable of the “cornerstone” is also told in the Gospel. The phraseological unit “Put at the forefront” is a catch phrase.

155. Phraseologism Put on your feet

Phraseologism “Put on your feet” has the meaning: 1. Cure, get rid of a disease. 2. Grow, educate, bring to independence. 3. Force active action. The phraseological unit “Put on your feet” is a catch phrase.

156. Phraseologism Put on the butt

Phraseologism “Put on the butt” used in the meaning - to stand vertically, upright, upright. The expression is actually Russian and is associated with the ancient game of gorodki (grandmothers, ryukhi, pigs), where the pig knocked out of the stake by the player was placed “on the butt” (that is, vertically).

157. Phraseologism Put in its place

Phraseologism “Put in its place.” During all the solemn ceremonies of the Moscow royal court, the boyars had to take places strictly according to rank and nobility. It would seem simple; however, there were always endless disputes between them about who was more noble, who could “sit” in the Duma or stand “higher” in the church, that is, closer to the Tsar himself.

Nowadays, this expression means: to call to order, to pull a person back if he behaves unworthily.

From the same source such expressions as “out of place”, “point to the place”, “it is not the place that makes the person beautiful, but the person who is the place” were born. The phraseological unit “Put in its place” is a catch phrase.

158. Phraseologism Bet on the wrong horse

Phraseologism “Bet on the wrong horse.” Compared to others, this is a very “young” expression. It was born on racetracks, where during races and races bets are made on which horse will come first and gambling is played.

“Bet on the wrong horse” means losing, and is used figuratively when a person’s selfish calculations turn out to be incorrect, when he is grossly mistaken in his hopes, or makes a mistake.

159. Phraseologism Put a period

Phraseologism “Put an end” used to mean - to complete something. The phraseological unit “Putting a point” is a catch phrase.

160. Phraseologism Sprinkle ashes on your head

Phraseologism “Sprinkle ashes on your head” used to mean - to indulge in extreme grief on the occasion of some loss or disaster. The expression goes back to the Bible, which describes the custom of the Jews to sprinkle ashes or earth on their heads during mourning or on account of some misfortune. This custom was also characteristic of other peoples of the South and East.

161. Phraseologism Potemkin villages

Phraseologism “Potemkin villages” used in the meaning - ostentatious, imaginary prosperity, deception. The expression is associated with the name of Prince G. A. Potemkin, statesman the times of Catherine II. After the annexation of Crimea to Russia, the Empress toured New Russia. According to stories, Potemkin, in order to show the prosperity of the region entrusted to him, ordered the construction of fake villages with painted huts along the route.

Grigory Potemkin was the most powerful and famous of all the nobles at the court of Catherine II. The lands newly conquered by Russia in the south of the country - Crimea and Novorossiya, which were previously under Turkish rule, as well as part of Ukraine - fell under his hand. The Empress wished to inspect the new possessions in 1787. In an effort to amaze his empress with the wealth of the region that he ruled, Potemkin ordered the construction of something like theatrical sets along her route - beautiful villages with magnificent mansions.

The queen did not travel too hastily, and during her stops the fake villages were urgently transported forward and installed in new places, among the completely uninhabited steppe. Catherine noted with pleasure the dense population of the newly conquered region. As a reward for such a successful settlement of the new territory, Potemkin was awarded the title of “Prince of Tauride.”

From that time on, the words “Potemkin villages” began to mean any kind of deception (see “Rub your glasses”), any desire to create the impression of prosperity where there really is none. The phraseological unit “Potemkin villages” is a catch phrase.

162. Phraseologism Failure

Phraseologism “Failure” used to mean - to fail. The expression is a half-copy of the French faire fiasko. Italian fiasco - "bottle". The expression is associated with the unsuccessful attempt of the famous Italian comedian Bianconelli to perform a funny pantomime in front of the public with a large bottle in his hand. After his failure, the word fiasco acquired the meaning of “acting failure”, and then “failure, failure” in general. The phraseological unit “Failure” is a catch phrase.

163. Phraseologism Rubbing hands

Phraseologism “Rub your hands” used in the sense of expressing joy about something. deal or luck. The phraseological unit arose as a result of metonymic transfer: the internal state of a person is expressed here by naming external sign- a human gesture when experiencing satisfaction, joy, etc. The phraseological unit “Rub your hands” is a catch phrase.

164. Phraseologism Gait, like a boat at sea

Phraseologism “Walk like a boat at sea” used either as a compliment about someone's graceful gait, or as a humorous comment about someone's extremely awkward gait.

The origin of the phraseological unit comes from the song “In the Port of Cape Town,” the original text of which was written by Pavel Gandelman, who was a 9th grade student at that time:

“And having left their board, they went down in a crowd to the port
Fourteen French sailors.
They walk like a boat at sea,
And on the way they pass the Kat Tavern.

165. Phraseologism Resting on your laurels

Phraseologism “Rest on your laurels” used in the sense of not striving for new achievements, being content with the honor that arose as a result of past achievements. Phraseologism “Rest on your laurels” is a popular expression.

166. Phraseologism Rest from business (labor)

Phraseologism “Rest from business” used to mean - to stop engaging in any activity, to go on vacation. Expression from the Bible. God, having created the world in six days, on the seventh day “rested from all his works” (Beat, 2,3)

167. Phraseologism Sense something wrong

Phraseologism “Smell something wrong” used to mean something you don’t like about current events. The phraseological unit “Smell something wrong” is a catch phrase.

168. Phraseologism Truth-uterus

Phraseologism “Pravda-matka” has the following meanings: 1. tell someone the truth straight to their face (and more often publicly) no matter how cruel it is 2. criticize harshly, regardless of their faces and the seeming untimeliness of the situation 3. tell the truth bluntly. 4. calling a spade a spade without thinking about the consequences 5. cutting someone without a knife 6. doing what truth tellers usually do.

169. Phraseologism Right word

Phraseologism “The right word” used in the meaning - true, true word, word of honor.

170. Phraseologism Leave to yourself

Phraseologism “Leave to yourself” used in the meaning - to give someone the opportunity to act according to their own opinion, discretion, freely disposing of themselves.

171. Phraseologism Grant (give) the floor

Phraseologism “Give (give) the floor” used to mean - to allow one to make a speech at a meeting, meeting, rally. The phraseological unit “Give (give) the floor” is a catch phrase.

172. Phraseologism Despicable metal

Phraseologism “Despised metal.” Ironic phrase about gold. The emergence of a phraseological unit is first encountered in the fairy tale of the Russian writer P. R. Furman (1809-1856) “The Workshop and the Living Room” (1842). However, the phrase gains popularity thanks to the novel “Ordinary History” (1847) by I. A. Goncharov (1812-1891):

“You have an uncle and a friend - do you hear? And if you need service, classes and despicable metal, feel free to turn to me: you will always find one, and the other, and the third.”

173. Phraseologism The fair sex

Phraseologism “The Fair Sex” used to mean women characterized by their physical and spiritual beauty. The phraseological unit “The fair sex” is a catch phrase.

174. Phraseologism Nip in the bud

Phraseologism “Nip it in the bud” used in the sense of eliminating something undesirable before it has time to develop, unfold from its initial state. The phraseological unit “Nip it in the bud” is a catch phrase.

175. Phraseologism Nip in the bud

Phraseologism “Nip it in the bud” used in the sense of eliminating something undesirable before it has time to develop, unfold from its initial state. The phraseological unit “Nip it in the bud” is a catch phrase.

176. Phraseologism In full dress

Phraseologism “In full dress” used in the meaning - in elegant (festive or official) clothes. The phraseological unit “In full dress” is a catch phrase.

177. Phraseologism Under Tsar Pea

Phraseologism “Under Tsar Pea” used to mean - a very long time ago, in time immemorial. The phrase is associated with the name of the kind, stupid Tsar from a Russian fairy tale. “In that ancient time, when the world of God was filled with goblins, witches and mermaids, when the rivers flowed milky, the banks were jelly, and fried partridges flew across the fields, at that time there lived a king named PEAS” (A. N. Afanasyev . Russian folk tales).

178. Phraseologism Attract attention

Phraseologism “Attract attention” used to mean - to pay attention to something. The phraseological unit “Attract attention” is a catch phrase.

179. Phraseologism Habit is second nature

Phraseologism “Habit is second nature.” The meaning of the phraseological unit is that it is as difficult to give up your habits as it is to change your character. After all, some of our habits themselves to some extent form our character.

The primary source is the work of the great ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle “Rhetoric” - “Habit becomes a natural property.” The Roman orator Cicero (106-43 BC) in his essay “On the Limits of Good and Evil” contains a phrase closer to the modern original: “Habit is, as it were, second nature.” And in the work of St. Augustine (353-430) “Against Julian” we can find the phrase itself: “Habit is second nature.” Phraseologism in Latin: “Consuetudo altera natura.”

180. Phraseologism Invitation to execution

Phraseologism “Invitation to execution”- about inviting a person somewhere where only moral or physical torment, suffering, and experiences await this person, but the person himself has no idea about it. The emergence of phraseology - the title of the novel (1935) by V.V. Nabokov (1899-1977).

"Invitation to Execution" is Nabokov's most unusual novel.

181. Phraseologism Warm the snake on the chest (in the bosom)

Phraseologism “Warm the snake on your chest (in your bosom)” used in the sense of showing attention, care, love to a person who subsequently pays with ingratitude. 1. The expression is from an ancient Greek parable about a farmer who found a frozen snake and put it in his bosom. Having warmed up, she stung her savior. The parable has another version: a peasant finds a snake egg, puts it in his bosom, where it was warmed by his warmth and a snake hatched from it, which immediately bit its savior. The parable was used by Aesop as the basis for the fable “The Peasant and the Snake.” The phraseological unit “Warm the snake on your chest (in your bosom)” is a catch phrase.

182. Phraseologism Hold (hold, hold) tongue (tongue)

Phraseologism “Hold your tongue” used to mean - watch what you say. The phraseology “Hold your tongue” is a catch phrase.

183. Phraseologism Phantom chance

Phraseologism “Ghost chance” used to mean a very weak chance, a small favorable opportunity for something. The phraseological unit “Phantom Chance” is a catch phrase.

184. Phraseologism Come to a head-to-head analysis

Phraseologism “Come to a head-to-head analysis” used in the sense of arriving somewhere too late, when everything is already over. According to ancient Russian custom, when entering a room or church, men took off their hats and folded them at the entrance. Every meeting and gathering ended with a sorting of hats. The latecomer came to the dismantling of hats, that is, to the end. The phraseological unit “Come to a head-to-head analysis” is a catchphrase.

185. Phraseologism Coming in at odds

Phraseologism “To be inappropriate” used in the sense of not being suitable, not meeting someone’s requirements, tastes, interests; would be inopportune. Initially - about that “movable property” (especially pets), the acquisition of which ended in failure: the dishes were broken, the horse died. The expression is associated with the belief in brownies: not to the court originally meant ‘the brownie didn’t like it’. According to superstitious beliefs, brownies could send illness to livestock they did not like; the well-being of the house depended on the whim of the brownie.

186. Phraseologism Take at face value

Phraseologism “Take at face value” used to mean - to take something seriously, to consider something to be true. In the Middle Ages in the West, there were many counterfeit and low-grade coins in circulation that did not correspond to the declared value. A pure coin is a coin with a strictly established content of precious metals, without low-value impurities. The phraseology “Take at face value” is a catch phrase.

187. Phraseologism Make (a) sacrifice to Moloch

Phraseologism “To sacrifice (to) Moloch” used in the meaning - to give to a cruel, inexorable force that requires human sacrifice, someone, something very dear. The phraseological unit arose on the basis of the biblical image of the bloodthirsty god of the Phoenicians - a copper idol with a bull's head, to whom human sacrifices were made. The image of Moloch is often found in Russian literature of the early twentieth century. (for example, in the story “Moloch” by A.I. Kuprin).

188. Phraseologism Take (on the chest) early in the morning

Phraseologism “Take (on the chest) early in the morning” used to mean drinking alcohol in the morning.

189. Phraseologism Take to heart

Phraseologism “Take to heart” used to mean - to worry a lot about something. The phraseological unit “Take to heart” is a catch phrase.

190. Phraseologism Take at face value

Phraseologism “Take it at face value.”“Pure coin” is a state minted coin with a certain, strictly established content of noble metals. Counterfeiters and swindlers were engaged in counterfeiting these coins and defrauding gullible simpletons (see the expression “Know by heart”).

In a figurative sense, the expression “to take at face value” means: to accept some fiction, exaggeration as the truth. The phraseological unit “Take it at face value” is a catch phrase.

191. Phraseologism Nature abhors a vacuum

Phraseologism “Nature abhors a vacuum.” Usually the phrase is used in the following sense: if you do not cultivate the principles of kindness in a person, then due to their absence, the person’s soul will be filled with a bad principle.

The emergence of phraseology is a statement by the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BC). However, it gained popularity after the publication of the novel by Francois Rabelais (1494-1553) “Gargantua” (1535). The novel describes medieval physicists who were sure that “nature is afraid of emptiness,” and this explains the rise of water in the pumps.

Phraseologism in Latin: “Natura abhorret vacuum.”

192. Phraseologism Talk of the town

Phraseologism "Tale of the Town" used to mean - the subject of general conversation, constant gossip. An expression from the Bible (Deuteronomy 28, 37). Old Slav. in the language - a form of the local (prepositional) plural case. numbers of nouns a language that meant “people, tribe.” A parable is a short story with a moralizing meaning. Therefore, a proverb is a story known to all nations.

193. Phraseologism Pull by the ears

Phraseologism “Pull by the ears” used in the meaning - to use with a stretch, without sufficient grounds (about facts in proof, etc.) Probably, this phrase arose under the influence of the French. se faire tirer l’oreille - “to force oneself to beg” (literally “to force oneself to pull one’s ear”). According to the laws of Ancient Rome, if a witness did not appear in court to testify, then the party interested in his presence had the right to bring him by the ear.

194. Phraseologism Trial ball

Phraseologism “Trial Ball” has the meaning: 1) a balloon released to test flight conditions; 2) about any action or technique that is an attempt to find out something. There are two versions of etymology:

1. The phrase is taken from the vocabulary of billiard players. Good players Sometimes they give the partner a trial ball, that is, they place the ball in such a way that it is relatively easy to put it in the pocket.

2. The expression is a tracing paper from French. ballon d'essai and goes back to the practice of releasing trial balloons before launching balloons with people. The phraseological unit “Trial Ball” is a catch phrase.

195. Phraseologism Fall through the ground

Phraseologism “Fall through the ground.” These words come in two forms. Sometimes it’s like an oath formula: “I’ll fall into the ground if I’m lying!” In other cases - like an angry spell: “Fell through the ground!” And here and there they go back to ancient ideas about hell, the underground abode of departed sinners, where their souls experience terrible torment. There are other versions of this saying: “to fall into tartarar” (that is, “to Tartarus” - the ancient Greek hell) or simply “to fall in this place,” and so on. The meaning is the same everywhere. Often it means: abyss, getting lost without a trace. The phraseological unit “Fall through the ground” is a catch phrase.

196. Phraseologism Go through fire and water and copper pipes

Phraseologism “Go through fire and water and copper pipes” matters: 1) experience a lot in life, become experienced; 2) have a complex, faulty past, become a rogue; 3) be a woman of easy virtue. An ancient expression of an international nature, associated with the concept of “God’s judgment”, with ideas about water and fire as cleansing substances. The attachment and copper pipes appeared, presumably, during the Patriotic War of 1812 in a military environment. Copper pipes are a symbol of the test of glory. According to another version, the expression is associated with the process of preparing vodka, during which a mixture of water and malt boiling over a fire passed through a copper tube - a coil - and was cooled with water. The phraseological unit “Go through fire and water and copper pipes” is a catch phrase.

197. Phraseologism Pass the test of time

Phraseologism “Pass the test of time” used to mean - to survive life's trials, difficult situations. Phraseologism “Pass the test of time” is a catch phrase.

198. Phraseologism Take a ride on blacks

Phraseologism “Ride on blacks.” The fact is that in Russian “to give a ride” means: not to be elected, to fail in the elections, to be voted out.

There is a custom: during ceremonial elections, people vote not with ballot papers, but with white and black balls, which are placed in the ballot box. The white ball is a “for” vote, the black (“black”) ball is a “no” vote. If all the balls are black, then they say: “they rolled on black ones.”

199. Phraseologism Procrustean bed

Phraseologism “Procrustean bed” used in the sense of a standard to which one strives to forcibly fit, adapt that which does not fit it. An expression from ancient mythology. Procrustes Polypomenes, son of Neptune, a robber and torturer, caught passers-by and put them on his bed. For those whose legs were longer than the stock, he cut them off, and for those whose legs were shorter, he stretched them out, hanging weights from their legs.

200. Phraseologism Fly like plywood over Paris

Phraseologism “Fly like plywood over Paris.” The meaning of the expression: to miss a great success, to suffer a serious failure, to experience the collapse of hopes for the best.

There are several versions of the origin of this phraseological unit.

1) According to one version, the expression appeared thanks to the French pilot Auguste Fanier. In 1908, he made demonstration flights over the French capital, but somehow miscalculated the piloting and crashed into the symbol of the city - the Eiffel Tower. The aviator himself died in this disaster.

After this incident, the famous Russian political figure Yuliy Martov (1873-1923) wrote a publication in the Iskra newspaper about the political life of the country, in which he used the phrase: “the tsarist regime is flying to its death as quickly as Monsieur Fanier over Paris " Rumor quickly transformed the pilot's surname into a well-known wood material. The version, although beautiful, looks very unlikely.

2) According to another version, the expression appeared at the beginning of the 20th century. At that time, there was an active discussion in the media about the flight of an airship over Paris called the Fleurneur. Somehow, "Flâneur" eventually became "plywood."

3) According to another version, we owe the origin of the phrase to the French President Armand Fallier (1841-1831). In 1909, the President of France opened the first international aerial exhibition in Paris, after which cartoons appeared in newspapers - Armand Fallier over Paris. The president's surname was distorted by literature and the world saw this phraseological unit - instead of “flying like Falières over Paris” it turned out to be “flying like plywood over Paris.”

201. Phraseologism Delay in death is like

Phraseologism “Delay is like death” used to mean - one cannot hesitate, it is unacceptable. These are the words of Peter I in a letter to the Senate in 1711 before the Prut campaign. Peter thanked the senators for their work and asked in the future not to postpone important decisions, “before missing the time of irrevocable death.” The phraseological unit “Delay is like death” is a catch phrase.

202. Phraseologism Promethean fire

Phraseologism “Promethean fire”. Prometheus is a titan, a mighty hero of ancient Greek myths. Overwhelmed by pity for people who did not know fire and were helpless in the fight against nature, Prometheus stole the divine flame that burned in the halls of the gods on Olympus and gave it to mortals. For this, Zeus condemned him to a terrible execution: the titan was chained to a rock on the peaks of the Caucasus; every day a giant eagle tore and pecked his liver; every night she healed again for new torments.

Subsequently, another noble hero, the mighty Hercules, freed the sufferer.

Many beautiful works have been written about Prometheus, and figurative expressions associated with him are known in the languages ​​of all Europe. We say: “The torment of Prometheus,” wanting to describe endless suffering; we talk about Promethean fire when we want to characterize the spirit of nobility, courage and talent.

203. Phraseologism Brainwashing

Phraseologism “Brainwashing”. The meaning of a phraseological unit is a targeted informational and psychological influence on a person in order to form a certain worldview in him. Usually used for political purposes, but not always.

Phraseologism originated in the USA in the 50s of the twentieth century. Applied to communist China as a description of the policies pursued there aimed at “duping the people” and “ideological indoctrination.” In 1951, E. Hunter’s book “Brainwashing in Red China” was published.

204. Phraseologism Prescribe Izhitsa

Phraseologism “Prescribe Izhitsa” used in the sense of flogging, flogging, punishing with rods or a belt. The expression is actually Russian in origin and has been used since the 18th century. Izhitsa is the ancient name of the last letter of the Church Slavonic alphabet; In shape, this letter somewhat resembles a bunch of rods or a whip. Along with “fita” and “yatem,” “izhitsa” was a symbol of difficult writing and learning to read and write in Rus'. Russian proverbs associate “Izhitsa” with corporal punishment: Fita and Izhitsa, the whip moves towards the lazy; Izhitsa - the whip is approaching. Perhaps the expression to register Izhitsa goes back to capital Izhitsa (a letter written in red paint). With diligent flogging, something like the capital “Izhitsa” actually appears on the body.

205. Phraseologism Turn a deaf ear

Phraseologism “Pass on deaf ears” used to mean - to ignore any information, someone's comments. The phraseological unit “Pass on deaf ears” is a catch phrase.

206. Phraseologism Sitting through pants

Phraseologism "Sit your pants" used in the sense of idleness, doing nothing. The phraseological unit “Sit in your pants” is a catch phrase.

207. Phraseologism Stretch your legs

Phraseologism “Stretch your legs” used to mean - to die. The phraseological unit “Stretch your legs” is a catch phrase.

208. Phraseologism Lend a helping hand

Phraseologism “Lend a helping hand” used to mean - to provide help or support to someone. The phraseological unit “Lend a helping hand” is a catch phrase.

209. Phraseologism Professor of sour cabbage soup

Phraseologism “Professor of sour cabbage soup” used in the sense of a self-confident fool, an upstart. There are two possible versions of the origin of the phraseological unit: 1) sour cabbage soup - a type of effervescent kvass, the preparation of which did not present any particular difficulties; 2) we're talking about about peasant cabbage soup (soup).

Professor of sour cabbage soup - this is how they contemptuously besiege an illiterate person who has decided to talk about things in which he himself has no clue. Judge, they say, my friend, no higher than a boot. You may understand sour cabbage soup, but serious things are beyond your reach. However, is sour cabbage soup such a simple thing? Recently, experts in Russian antiquity dug up an interesting fact: it turns out that during the time of Catherine II, in the greenhouses of Russian nobles, such a quantity of pineapples was grown that they were fermented in barrels, and then sour cabbage soup was cooked from them. Since then, many pineapples have been spoiled in attempts to make meat soup from them. And the home-grown professors are unaware that in the old days sour cabbage soup was not called soup at all, but a drink like kvass.

210. Phraseologism Passage yard

Phraseologism “Passage yard” used to mean a place where a lot of people walk. The phraseological unit “Passage Yard” is a catch phrase.

211. Phraseologism Easier than a steamed turnip

Phraseologism “Simpler than steamed turnips” used in the meaning - very simple. Actually a Russian turnover associated with peasant life. Before the advent of potatoes, turnips were the most common vegetable in Russia and were included in the daily diet of the population. Turnips were eaten raw, but more often they were steamed in a clay pot.

212. Phraseologism is a dime a dozen

Phraseologism “A dime a dozen” used to mean a large amount. The phraseological unit “A dime a dozen” is a catch phrase.

213. Phraseologism Jump for joy

Phraseologism “Jump for joy” used to mean - to experience great joy. The phraseological unit “Jump for joy” is a catch phrase.

214. Phraseologism Crazy crazy

Phraseologism “Crazy crazy” used in the sense of a person who behaves eccentrically, unbalanced. The phraseological unit “Psycho crazy” is a catch phrase.

215. Phraseologism Bird's milk

Phraseologism “Bird's milk” used in the sense of something unheard of, impossible, the limit of desires. Origin:

1. Probably from ancient Greek sources. As a proverb meaning something rare and precious, this expression (gala orniton) is given by Aristophanes, Athenaeus, Strabo, Lucian and others.

2. The expression bird's milk has grown into Russian folklore, becoming a folk symbol of fabulous abundance. This is an international turnover, known to the Slavs, Greeks, Spaniards, Tatars, Hungarians and many others. This expression was also widespread in the ancient world: among the Romans, chicken milk was a symbol of prosperity, and in the comedy “The Birds” by Aristophanes (c. 466-385 BC), the heroes boast that they have more than enough bird’s milk.

3. The French say: il est nourri de lait de poule, based on the ancient prejudices that chickens can give milk.

216. Phraseologism Eat a pound of salt

Phraseologism “Eat a pound of salt.” You cannot live without salt, although people add it to their food in negligible quantities. A pound of salt is sixteen kilograms of it. Think about how long it will take before you and someone “as a couple” have time to eat sixteen kilograms of salt.

Of course, it will take quite a long time, even now that salt is a very cheap product. But just a hundred or two hundred years ago, in countless peasant families, salt was a luxury, it was very expensive, they took care of it and saved it in every possible way.

To eat a pound of salt in those days meant to live together for a very long time and, naturally, to get to know each other well.

And now we say: “you need to eat a pound of salt” when we want to emphasize that it will take a lot of time to establish relationships or come to an agreement with a person. The phraseological unit “Eat a pound of salt” is a catch phrase.

217. Phraseologism Bullets pour (cast)

Phraseologism “Pour bullets.” The development of foundry made it possible to improve the casting of cannons. In the middle of the 14th century they began to be cast from copper.

The Tver cannon master Mikula Krechetnikov was especially famous in Rus', about whom they wrote: “Such a master as one cannot find among Germans” (that is, a master such as one cannot find among foreigners). No less famous was the master Yakov, who in 1484 cast in Moscow a cannon weighing “16 pounds” - four times heavier than the Italian guns considered first-class at that time.

The superstitious custom of inventing all sorts of fables when casting metal, for the sake of success in the business (see “Casting Bells”), has spread to this branch of the foundry business.

Therefore, “to throw guns” began to mean: to lie, to invent. The liar, the teller of fables, began to be called “gunner.”

A further development of this phraseological chain is the phrase “cast bullets, cast a bullet.”

218. Phraseologism Navel of the earth

Phraseologism “Navel of the Earth” used in the meaning - an ironic characteristic of a self-confident person who unreasonably considers himself the basis, the center in any matter, or his existence - very important for everyone around him. The navel of the earth, in the minds of the ancients, is the place from which the universe began; the expression occurs in ancient greek myths, in Talmudic folklore, in monuments of ancient Russian literature.

According to ancient myth, Zeus, wanting to find out where the navel of the earth was, sent eagles from both ends of the world. Flying at the same speed, the birds met over the place where the Greek city of Delphi later arose. They began to consider him the navel of the earth.

According to Talmudic folklore, in the center of the world is Palestine, in the center of Palestine is Jerusalem, in its center is a temple in which there is an altar (Holy of Holies), where a stone is kept in front of the Ark of the Covenant. From this stone - the navel of the earth - the universe began. The phraseological unit “Navel of the Earth” is a catch phrase.

219. Phraseologism Show off dust in the eyes

Phraseologism “Show off” used in the sense of trying to make an unreasonably good impression on someone. The phraseological unit “Show off” is a catch phrase.

220. Phraseologism Empty breed

Phraseologism “Empty breed.” Here is one of the phrases that is interesting because it was only recently born, perhaps even before it had time to come into general use.

Waste rock is what miners call everything in the mine soil that does not contain anything valuable. In a figurative sense, they have a “waste breed” - a useless person, good for nothing. Recently, this apt expression has begun to appear more and more often in our common language.

221. Phraseologism Let the goat into the garden

Phraseologism “Let the goat into the garden” used to mean - to allow someone into an area/business in which he will be interested in doing something destructive for this area/business. The phraseological unit “Let the goat into the garden” is a popular expression.

222. Phraseologism Guiding Star

Phraseologism “Guiding Star”. Long before the invention of the compass, people had already traveled across seas and deserts, finding their way by the sun and stars. Sooner or later, among all the stars circling in the sky and making one revolution every day, they noticed one that was almost completely motionless.

We now call this star, located almost exactly above the North Pole of the Earth, Polar; the explorers and sailors of antiquity respectfully called it the Guiding One; It was the most reliable way to recognize the countries of the world: after all, it invariably stood exactly in the north.

However, there is another explanation for our expression “guiding star,” which now generally means “a pointer to a goal,” “a sign of the right direction in all activities and work.” There is a Christian myth according to which three wise men-stargazers learned from the constellations that somewhere on earth the “son of God” - Jesus - was born. They allegedly set off on their way to bow to him and bring gifts. On the road they were accompanied by a mysterious moving star.

Perhaps our expression is connected precisely with this legend, and not with North Star, a real, but much less famous in the past, guide to wanderers. The phraseological unit “Guiding Star” is a catch phrase.

223. Phraseologism Path of least resistance

Phraseologism “Path of least resistance” used to mean a behavioral tactic that requires minimal effort. The phraseological unit “The path of least resistance” is a catch phrase.

224. Phraseologism Cannon fodder

Phraseologism “Cannon fodder”- about someone or something that is thrown into the thick of battle, which is sacrificed for the sake of a common victory. In other words, a kind of “consumable material” that you don’t mind losing too much. Unfortunately, sometimes living people act as “cannon fodder”...

The origin of the phraseological unit is from the play “King Henry IV” by William Shakespeare (1564-1616), which speaks of soldiers as “fodder for gunpowder.”

The expression entered the Russian language in a slightly modified form, thanks to French poet François René de Chateaubriand (1768-1848), who wrote about “cannon fodder” in his political pamphlet “On Bonaparte and the Bourbons.” In it, the author criticizes the cruelty of Napoleonic times and the need to restore the Bourbon dynasty. Francois de Chateaubriand writes that conscription into Napoleon's army took place in conditions when the life of the French in the eyes of the authorities had lost all value: “Contempt for human life and for France reached such a degree that recruits were called raw material and cannon fodder.”

225. Phraseologism Guns instead of butter

Phraseologism “Guns instead of butter.” This slogan was thrown out by one of Hitler’s most furious accomplices, Goering, in those days when Nazi Germany, the Third Reich, was preparing for a predatory attack against neighboring peoples. These words did not spread around the whole world like others; rather, they crawled over him like a monstrous reptile. Their meaning was very clear: fascism wants to achieve world domination at any cost. Let the working people not have butter for lunch: with this money guns will be built to kill, kill, kill...

226. Phraseologism Throwing dust in the eyes

Phraseologism “To throw dust in the eyes.” If we take into account that this expression means “to show off, to increase one’s worth, showing off one’s wealth, luxury, nobility,” then, perhaps, of the many explanations for it, the simplest one will seem most plausible.

In the old days, endless slow carts trudged along the roads of Russia; government-owned “postal” and private “philistine” teams moved without much haste. Given their leisurely pace, they made no noise or thunder along the way. And from time to time, some kind of “bird or three”, the rapid departure of a rich landowner, or a britzka, would rush past them, overtaking them or towards them, covered in clouds of dust. royal ambassador- courier, or nobleman's crew. And the poor man would stand for a long time, looking after the flashing miracle and wiping his dust-covered eyes.

This is where our saying comes from. Other explanations for this expression are unlikely to be correct. The phraseological unit “To throw dust in the eyes” is a popular expression.

227. Phraseologism Fifth Column

Phraseologism “Fifth Column” used to mean secret agents of the enemy - spies, saboteurs; traitors, traitors. The expression was born during the war in Spain (1936-1939) and belongs to the General of the Francoist army Emilius Mola. During the attack on Madrid in the fall of 1938, he radioed to the Republicans defending the city that, in addition to four army columns, he also had a fifth column in Madrid. This is what he called the network of secret agents, spies, and traitors sympathetic to the Francoists who operated in the city.

228. Phraseologism Fifth wheel (Like the fifth wheel of a cart)

Phraseologism “Fifth Wheel” used to mean an extra element or extra person in any matter. The phraseological unit “Fifth Wheel” is a catch phrase.

Palm of Books High Superiority, first place among others as a result of superiority in something over everyone else. Although all the actors performed their roles perfectly, the palm belonged to Ryazantsev. He was a wonderful artist, the beauty and pride of our scene(Karatygin. Notes). - From the custom that existed in Ancient Greece to reward the winner in competitions with a palm branch or a wreath. Lit.: Dictionary Russian language / Under. ed. prof. D. N. Ushakova. - M., 1939. - T. 3. - P. 26.

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

See what “Palm of the Championship” is in other dictionaries:

palm- See the dignity of recapturing the palm, receiving the palm... Dictionary of Russian synonyms and expressions similar in meaning. under. ed. N. Abramova, M.: Russian Dictionaries, 1999. palm of dignity; primacy, primogeniture, priority... Synonym dictionary

Palm of the Championship- (palm branch is a symbol of victory, highest glory). Wed. The new surveyor... dances like that! Even among the dragoons, no one can compare with him! In a word, I took away the palm from everyone. Saltykov. Well-intentioned speeches. 13. Wed. Oceans in... ... Michelson's Large Explanatory and Phraseological Dictionary (original spelling)

Palm of the Championship- PALMA, s, f. A tree of southern countries, usually with a straight, unbranched trunk and very large evergreen pinnate or fan-shaped leaves. Coconut, date, oilseed etc. Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary. S.I. Ozhegov, N.Yu. Shvedova. 1949 1992 … Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary

palm- First place in achieving something, in mastering something. (from the custom that existed in Ancient Greece to reward the winner in competitions with a palm branch) Give away the palm. The palm belongs to whom... Dictionary of many expressions

palm- (palm branch symbol of victory, highest glory) Wed. The new land surveyor... dances like that! Even among the dragoons, no one can compare with him! In a word, I took away the palm from everyone. Saltykov. Well-meaning speeches. 13. Wed. There were hardly any oceans at one time... Michelson's Large Explanatory and Phraseological Dictionary

Palm of the Championship- Book First place, superiority in anything. over all others. FSRY, 308; BTS, 777; BMS 1998, 430 ...

PALM- (lat. palma). 1) tropical tree, plant. monocotyledonous, with a straight, smooth trunk and a tuft of large, hard leaves at the top. 2) a measure of length among the Romans and in ancient Greece= 0.077 meters; currently used in Italy, France and... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

PALM Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary

PALM- 1. PALMA1, palm trees, women. (Latin palma, lit. palm). Plant of hot countries, especially. a tree with a tall, leafless trunk and a lush crown of large evergreen, pinnate or fan-shaped leaves. Coconut palm. Date palm. ❖ Palm tree… … Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary

PALM- in Antarctica. Jarg. they say Joking. About something that causes great surprise. Maksimov, 300. Palm. Book First place, superiority in anything. over all others. FSRY, 308; BTS, 777; BMS 1998, 430. To give / give the palm [of championship] to whom... ... Big dictionary Russian sayings

Books

• Crystals: Multi-colored drops of light (book + bag with 14 crystals included), Tuan L.. Among all the creatures of nature that can communicate with human energy, the palm rightfully belongs to crystals. Their structure allows them to serve as a transmitter of energy from planets and stars and...

PALMMA The fur on his strong chest curled into a stiff curl. He waddled on bowed legs, but he was not a cavalryman. His pumping light brown eyes, full of hot light, were smart and sharp-witted. His snub nose, or rather two holes, was dripping from a perpetual runny nose.

5. APPROVAL OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP AND DEPARTURE FROM KAZAN