1500 русских и 1500 английских идиом, фразеологизмов и устойчивых словосочетаний

против своей воли

under protest

I’ll go with you, but I want you to write down that I do so under protest.

протягивать руку помощи (кому-л.)

to give/lend someone a (helping) hand

He was always ready to give me a helping hand every time I needed it.

протянуть ноги

to turn up one’s toes

The old man may turn up his toes any day.

проще простого

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

It’s as easy as pie. I can explain the whole thing in a minute.

Passing the driving test was as easy as falling off a log.

прятать голову под крыло

to bury one’s head in the sand

He was burying his head in the sand, refusing to face up to his problems.

пускать в ход (что-л.)

to bring something into play

Even bringing into play all the resources available wouldn’t solve the problem.

пускать корни

to take root; to put down roots

His ideas have taken root in the society.

I wanted to get married and put down roots in this town.

пуститься наутек

to take to one’s heels; to turn tail and run

The little girl said hello and then took to her heels.

As I went towards the director’s office imagining a reprimand, my only thought was to turn tail and run.

путать все карты (кому-л.)

to upset the applecart; to spike someone’s guns

She has really upset the applecart by going on holiday two weeks earlier than we agreed.

I was hoping to have a quiet evening but the children spiked my guns by coming home early.

работать до седьмого пота

to work one’s guts out; to sweat blood

Why should I work my guts out for such a low salary?

Jack sweated blood to finish his work on time.

работать как ломовая лошадь

to work like a horse

I’m tired, I’ve been working like a horse all day.

Ради Бога!

for goodness’/heaven’s/God’s/Christ’s sake!

For God’s sake, stop making that noise!

разбивать сердце (кому-л.)

to break someone’s heart

If he leaves her, it’ll break her heart.

разбить лед

to break the ice

I was quite nervous, but Paul broke the ice by offering me a drink.

разбить наголову (кого-л.)

to wipe the floor with someone

Did your team win? – Yes, we wiped the floor with them!

раздавить бутылочку

to crack a bottle

On their tenth wedding anniversary they cracked a bottle with their friends.

размять ноги

to stretch one’s legs

We’ve been sitting here all the evening. Let’s go out for a walk and stretch our legs.

разносить в пух и прах (кого-л./что-л.)

to tear someone/something to bits/pieces; to pull someone/something to pieces

The teacher tore his work to bits.

My article was pulled to pieces by the editor.

разрубить Гордиев узел to cut the Gordian knot

рай земной

(a) heaven on earth

He says that his new job is heaven on earth.

ранняя пташка

an early bird

My husband was always an early bird. He got up at 6 o’clock every day of the week.

раскачивать лодку

to rock the boat

Don’t criticise the director in front of the customers; you won’t help by rocking the boat.

раскидывать мозгами

to rack one’s brains

A man waved his hand at me. I waved back, racking my brains to remember who he was.

раскрывать карты

to put one’s cards on the table; to show one’s cards

Why don’t you put your cards on the table, so we could make a decision?

I wouldn’t show your cards if I were you. It is better to keep your intentions to yourself.

расправлять крылья

to spread one’s wings

You can’t keep your son at home forever – you must encourage him to spread his wings.

рассеивать опасения (чьи-л.)

to put/set someone’s mind at rest

Your friend is not going to be fired. You can put his mind at rest on that score.