There are a lot of interesting stable expressions in the Russian language . Some of them have long been outdated and are not popular. But there are those that are relevant to this day. Among them, one can single out the phrase “the hat is on the thief”. The meaning of phraseology, its origin and application you will find in this article.
Interpretation of the expression
This is how a person works so that by his behavior he often gives himself away, his sins, feeling guilty. When this happens, the expression “the cap is on the thief” explains. Thus, it is understood that a person gives himself out.
Why it happens? Of course, in reality, a hat on a thief or a person guilty of something will not blaze fire. This is unlikely. But the behavior of the person himself will show everything for him. This is the psychology of people. If they are to blame for something, then they behave extremely unnaturally, nervously, as if the truth is about to reveal itself. This is what the hat is on the thief.
Synonyms of expression
There are several stable turns, similar in meaning to the phrase "the cap is on the thief." The meaning of the phraseology “God marks the assault” is the same. However, it is rarely used in colloquial speech. Sham is a criminal. That is, a synonymous expression means that the fraudster is marked with some sign.
Consider another revolution, similar in meaning to the phrase "the cap is lit on a thief." The meaning of the phraseology “cat knows whose meat has eaten” is also similar to the expression considered by us.
He implies that the guilty person knows his own guilt, expects retribution, and thereby gives himself away.
The origin of the expression “the hat is on the thief”
The value of phraseology, as we have already noted, is not at all connected with the headdress burning on the head of the criminal. However, how did this expression appear?
There is a legend that reads as follows. Several centuries ago, in one of the largest cities in Russia, thefts in the market became more frequent. Both sellers and buyers suffered from thieves.
However, thieves could not be caught and caught. Exhausted by this state of affairs, the merchants decided to turn to the old sage. He listened attentively to them and promised them to come to the market that day when a lot of people would gather to recognize the thieves. Time passed, but there was no wise man, and the thefts continued as before. Everyone hoped for the old man and waited for him. And so he appeared.
This happened on one of the big holidays when all the townspeople gathered in the square. The sage shouted loudly: “People, look. The hat is on the thief! ” And then the pickpockets immediately clutched at their heads, betraying themselves. They were seized and stolen money and things from them.
People asked the sage why he was so slow. To which he replied that he was waiting for the whole city to gather. On any other day, he would be able to convict only one or two thieves, and now he has managed to identify all at once.
Since then, the expression "the thief's hat is on" appeared. The value of phraseology expands the possibilities of its use. Currently, it can be found in literary works, print media, blogs, etc. They are decorated with speeches of artistic heroes, headlines and the texts themselves.