There are idioms in the languages of the world. For the Russian language, the word phraseology is more familiar.
An idiom is a combination of several words that conveys one common meaning. These words lose their meaning individually.
You cannot understand the meaning if you do not know the meaning of the idiom. In addition, phraseological units give color to our statements. Therefore, they need to be remembered and used in speech.
This article will introduce English idioms with translation. And their equivalents in Russian. So.
English idioms. Weather
In Great Britain they don’t talk about politics, religion, family. Especially with strangers. The only suitable topic for conversation is the weather. Therefore, many English idioms - on this topic.
Rain cats and dogs - it's raining. In Russian - it pours like a bucket.
This English idiom appeared in the 18th century. It was introduced by the British writer J. Swift. In those days, there was poor protection of sewer pipes. They broke through even from showers. All contents poured out, including the corpses of pets: cats and dogs.
Steal one's thunder - steal someone's idea.
This English idiom came from theaters in the 18th century. There was no sound equipment then, and lead balls were shaking in a bowl to create a thunder sound. The playwright J. Dennis used metal in his play. The play was rejected, but the idea of metal balls from Dennis was stolen.
Then he shouted a phrase that grew into an English idiom: "They've stolen my thunder!" - They stole my thunder.
Break the ice - break the ice. The Russian version is to melt the ice (about relationships); get close.
The first icebreakers appeared in the 19th century. To get to their destination, they had to deal with the thick crust of ice. Hence the English idiom. “Breaking the ice” - that is, making efforts to build relationships.
Get wind of smth - learn something ahead of time. In Russian, you can put it this way: "sniff", find out, scout.
This phrase is a comparison with how animals obtain information through their sense of smell. Our smaller brothers "sniff out" their relatives and enemies.
Take a rain check. Literally : get a rain ticket. In Russian, this phraseology means "put off until better times"
The expression came from America in the 19th century. If the baseball game was canceled due to rain, the fans were given “reencheki”, according to which they could come to any event, whenever they wanted.
Calm before the storm - quiet before the storm. In Russian, the expression "calm before the storm."
It happens when, for no reason, a problem falls on his head. And the person does not even suspect about it.
The meaning of the idiom is completely similar to what is happening in the sea. Typically, a strong storm is calm.
Food
Couch potato. “Couch” is “sofa”, “potato” is “potato”. Such is the "man-sofa-potato", that is, a lazy dog and a lounger.
Egghead is a wise guy. They are called botanists in our country, and in the USA they are called eggheads.
Chew the fat - gossip, sharpen your hair. Literally: chew fat.
Animals
When pigs fly - when pigs fly. The Russians say this: "when the cancer on the mountain whistles." That is, soon.
Eager beaver. Literally - a tense beaver. In Russian - "hard worker", a business man.
Black sheep - literally, a black sheep, and in meaning - a white crow. Designates a person who is not like the rest.
Be as busy as a bee - be as busy as a bee. In Russian - to work with rolled up sleeves.
Money
A piece of a pie - "piece of cake", that is, a fraction.
Be flushed with money - scatter money.
Make ends meet - break from bread to kvass, need it.
Bring home the bacon - provide, bring a penny home.