1500 русских и 1500 английских идиом, фразеологизмов и устойчивых словосочетаний

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to be in the money; to be made of money; to have money to burn

She’s in the money now since her rich uncle has died.

Sorry, I can’t lend you fifty pounds. I’m not made of money, you know.

The only people who can afford to pay such a huge sum of money for a new suit are rich people with money to burn.

лебединая песня

( one’s ) swan song

The singer’s performance in London last week proved to be his swan song.

легкий как перышко

(as) light as a feather

Of course I can carry the suitcase. It’s as light as a feather.

легок на помине

Talk of the devil!

John always keeps us waiting. Shall we go? Oh, talk of the devil, here he is coming along the road!

легче легкого

(as) easy as pie; (as) easy as falling off a log

It was the easiest job I’ve ever done. It was as easy as pie.

He said writing songs was as easy as falling off a log for him.

лезть в бутылку

to fly off the handle

There’s no need to fly off the handle. I only wanted to explain how I felt.

лезть в петлю

to put one’s head in a noose; to put one’s head on the block; to risk one’s neck

By openly voting against the director, she’s put her head in a noose.

He put his head on the block by admitting that he was the one who made the mistake.

He was aware that in joining the military expedition he was risking his neck.

лезть на рожон

to stick one’s neck out; to ask for trouble/it

He has had the courage to stick his head out and speak the truth.

Stop talking to the boss that way, Pete. You’re just asking for trouble.

лезть на стенку

to go up the wall

She’ll go up the wall if she finds out you’ve been smoking.

летающая тарелка a flying saucer

лечь костьми

to lay down one’s life

He would lay down his life in the service of his country.

лизать пятки (кому-л.)

to lick someone’s boots

It’s disgusting the way she licks her boss’ boots all the time.

лить воду на мельницу (кого-л.)

to play into someone’s hands

By discussing his plans openly the politician was playing into the hands of the opposition.

лить как из ведра

to come down in buckets; to rain cats and dogs

I’m not going out in this rain – it’s coming down in buckets.

It’s raining cats and dogs outside tonight.

лицом к лицу

face to face

He came face to face with his enemy.

лишиться рассудка

to be/go out of one’s mind

She must be out of her mind to talk like that to the new director.

ловить каждое слово (кого-л.)

to hang upon someone’s words

Margaret is full of admiration for her husband and hangs upon his words.

ловить на слове (кого-л.)

to take someone at one’s word

When I said that I would like them to visit us in Spain they took me at my word and arrived at our villa two weeks later with all their children.

ловить рыбу в мутной воде

to fish in troubled waters

During the war, this company had been fishing in troubled waters selling goods to both sides.

ложиться под нож

to go under the knife

I have to go under the knife next week.

ложка дегтя в бочке меда

a fly in the ointment

We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday. The only fly in the ointment was the bad weather.

ломать (себе) голову

to rack one’s brains

She racked her brains all morning, but couldn’t remember where she put the key.

ломать комедию

to put on an act

She is putting on an act. I don’t believe she has hurt her knee.

ломать копья (с кем-л.)

to cross swords (with someone )

The last time we crossed swords I had to admit that I was wrong.

любой ценой

at all costs; at any price

He must at all costs avoid being seen.

She was willing to carry out her plan at any price.