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Next up is a selection phraseological units with the word salt .

Got enough exactly 15 phraseological units.

They are grouped by topic: friendship, hospitality, wit, unpleasant. The meaning of each phraseological unit is given.

Phraseologisms about friendship

  • (Together) eat a pound of salt (get to know each other well after a long time of dating)
  • (Together) there is bread and salt (to be close friends)
  • To drive bread and salt (to be on friendly terms, to be friends) - by the way, phraseological units about friendship

Phraseologisms about hospitality

  • Greet with bread and salt (solemnly greet, offer bread and salt)
  • Give honor to bread and salt (do not refuse the treat, eat with appetite)
  • Forgetting bread and salt (showing ingratitude to the person who provided hospitality) - by the way, phraseological units about bread

Phraseologisms about wit

  • Attic salt (subtle wit, graceful joke)
  • With salt and pepper (caustic and witty (pamphlet, speech, etc.))

Phraseologisms about unpleasant things

  • Sprinkle salt on the tail (make a nuisance, greatly annoy) - by the way, phraseological units about the tail
  • Rub salt in the wound (remind someone of a painful, unpleasant event for him)

Other phraseological units about salt

  • Salt of the earth (the best, most talented, useful people for society)
  • Having slurped unsalted (having been deceived in one’s expectations, having met with a bad reception)
  • What is the salt (what is the essence)
  • Taste for salt (test to see if there is enough salt in the dish being prepared)

As you can see, most phraseological units with salt have contains bread and salt . Probably this now outdated custom played great importance in Rus'.

In general, we can note the predominance of phraseological units with the word salt, which is not so common among Russian phraseological units positive values .

Bread and salt have long been combined together in Russian speech, which is reflected in the proverb: “Without salt it is not tasty, and without bread it is not satisfying.” And the very expression “bread and salt” at first simply meant food, food, and later - a treat. This ancient custom has been preserved since time immemorial. In the traditional culture from which we come, which we continue so sluggishly and uncertainly, bread as a blessing, as an oath, was at the head of everything: if you don’t take the bread off the table and sweep away the crumbs, your home will have prosperity and completeness.

By breaking the bread and dipping it in salt, the guest establishes a special trusting relationship with the hosts and admits the purity of his intentions and thoughts. The duet of bread and salt is not accidental: a wheat or rye fragrant loaf symbolized prosperity and prosperity, and salt, a rare spice in those days, was credited with the ability to protect against evil spirits. When inviting you to a feast, in Rus' they said: “Come in for bread and salt.”

If guests were received in the house, the meal began and followed a certain scenario.

The table, as usual laden with dishes, was located in the “red corner” next to the benches. There was a belief that those sitting on these benches enjoyed the special protection of saints.

According to tradition, the hostess of the house appeared at the beginning of the meal, dressed in her best attire. She greeted the guests with a bow to the ground. The guests bowed in response and, at the owner’s suggestion, came up to kiss her. According to long-established custom, each guest was given a glass of vodka.

After the “kissing ritual,” the hostess went to a special women’s table, which served as a signal for the start of the meal. The host cut off a piece of bread for each guest and sprinkled it with salt.


Treating the guest with bread and salt established a friendly, trusting relationship between the guest and the host; refusing them was regarded as an offensive gesture. In the Novgorod province, if someone who came to the hut refused the treat, they would say to him with offense: “How can you leave an empty hut like that!”


In the 17th century large monasteries sent black rye bread to the royal feast, part of the bread of the spiritual fathers, thereby blessing the autocrat. This bread was the first thing that was placed on the table at the king's meal.

Also, at the beginning of the meal, the steward presented the king with large oblong loaves of bread, which were distributed to everyone present from senior to junior in rank. Anyone who accepted the bread and subsequently dared to betray the king was considered abandoned by God, cursed.

Actions performed with salt were given close attention. Salt will crumble - to trouble, quarrel, because salt is a symbol of fidelity, friendship, constancy. And if they passed salt to another across the table, it was necessary to laugh loudly, so that again there would be no quarrel. At the same time, laughter protects against evil spirits: laughter as a sign of a living person, not just alive, but cheerful, full of strength and energy, means there is no place for evil spirits here! Also, to avoid discord, they threw salt and spat over their left shoulder. With exactly the same actions and words: “It’s the ‘leftists’, let them fight, and Christ is with us!” drove away hostile forces.

Salt, like a magical talisman, protected from the “evil eye” and warded off otherworldly, “alien” influences that a person encountered both in everyday life and in ritual situations that were significant for him and the entire society. In the past, the owner of the house, as a rule, salted himself shared food, and you could sprinkle a little salt on the tablecloth. However, under no circumstances should one dip bread in a salt shaker, because “only Judas dipped bread in a salt shaker.”


According to ancient Russian custom, parents greet the newlyweds with bread and salt and invite all guests to the festive table.


The newlyweds always take a bite of the loaf, finding out which of them will be the “first” in the family, and accepting the blessing for their family.


Sayings about bread and salt

  • Bread and salt to lead (to know, to be friends with someone)
  • I remember your bread and salt
  • Bread and salt is a mutual matter
  • They don’t refuse bread and salt
  • Bread and salt, and lunch is on!
  • They don’t sit down to dinner without bread and salt.
  • Eat bread and salt, and listen to good people
  • Young: mother didn’t eat enough of her father’s bread and salt
  • Without bread, without salt, a bad conversation (half a conversation)
  • Bread and salt and a stone in your bosom
  • Not for bread and salt said (bad word)
  • After bread and salt, good people rest for seven hours
  • Bread and salt payment is red
  • Bread and salt on the table, and your hands
  • Eat bread and salt, but cut the truth (or: cut the truth)
  • To carry bread and salt is not to carry a steelyard (not to walk with a steelyard)
  • Bread and salt does not scold (does not scold)
  • Fight with bread and salt
  • Bread and salt borrowed (mutual, repayable) business
  • Throw bread and salt back and you'll find yourself ahead
  • Bread to bread brother (about hospitality)
  • The one who gives water and food is good; and he is not bad who remembers bread and salt
  • For bread, for salt, for cabbage soup with kvass, for noodles, for porridge, for your mercy (thank you)!
  • “Bread and salt!” or “bread and salt!” - wishes, greetings to those who entered the hut during lunch; answer: “we ask!” or humorous “Eat yours!”
  • Bread and salt for you - sleep and slumber for me
  • You can't imagine better bread and salt
The Russian people have always been distinguished by their hospitality and cordiality. The attitude towards guests in Rus' was special. Guests, even random ones, were treated with honor and respect. It was believed that the traveler who looked into the house had seen a lot on his way, knew a lot, and had a lot to learn from him. And if the guest enjoys the warm welcome, then from his words the good fame of the owner of the house and of Rus' will spread throughout the world.

The main task of the owner was to feed his dear guest as best as possible; the best dishes were presented to him. The sayings “What is in the oven, everything is on the table”, “Even though he is not rich, he is glad to have guests”, “Don’t feel sorry for the guest, pour him thicker” have survived to this day.

If the upcoming meeting of guests was known in advance, then preparations began several days in advance. There was a custom to greet dear guests at the doorstep with bread and salt. Usually the bread, always laid on a clean towel (rushnyk), was brought out to the guests by the hostess of the house or the woman to whom the loaf was baked. At the same time, the towel indicated the path that the guest had taken. In addition, it symbolized God's blessing. Bread and salt were symbols of wealth and well-being, and salt was also attributed the properties of a “amulet.” To greet a guest with “bread and salt” meant to invoke God’s mercy on him and add your wishes for goodness and peace. However, guests could also bring bread and salt into the house, expressing special respect for the owner and wishing him prosperity and prosperity.

“Every traveler was, as it were, sacred for the Slavs: they greeted him with affection, treated him with joy, saw him off with reverence...”
N.M. Karamzin.

Traditional Russian meal

If guests were received in the house, the meal began and followed a certain scenario. The table, which was literally bursting with a variety of dishes, was located in the “red corner” next to the stationary benches attached to the wall. There was a belief that those sitting on these benches enjoyed the special protection of saints.

According to tradition, the hostess of the house appeared at the beginning of the meal, dressed in her best attire. She greeted the guests with a bow to the ground. The guests bowed in response and, at the owner’s suggestion, came up to kiss her. According to long-established custom, each guest was given a glass of vodka. After the “kissing ritual,” the hostess went to a special women’s table, which served as a signal for the start of the meal. The host cut off a piece of bread for each guest and sprinkled it with salt.

It is impossible to imagine a Russian table without bread and salt: “Without salt, without bread there is a bad conversation”, “Bread on the table, so the table is the throne”, “Not a piece of bread, and there is melancholy in the mansion, but there is no bread, so there is no bread.” fir is paradise”, “Without bread there is death, without salt there is laughter.”

By refusing to share “bread and salt” with the owners of the house, one could cause them an indelible offense. During the meal, it was customary to treat the guests intensively. And if the guests ate little, the hosts persuaded them to try this or that dish by kneeling.

And today we meet with “bread and salt”

Our people are still open, hospitable and welcoming. And the tradition of greeting dear guests not only with a welcoming word, but also with bread and salt has been preserved to this day. For example, on the wedding day, the mother of the groom presents the newlyweds with a wedding loaf - a symbol of pure thoughts and good intentions. This means that the parents accept a young wife into the family, with whom they now have to live next to each other and share all the troubles and joys.

Of course, in its pure form, the ceremony is more often used at official meetings or at festive, solemn moments. For example, residents of the city greet their dear guests with a festive loaf of bread.

The tradition of greeting newlyweds with bread and salt is rooted in the deep past. At the same time, even today, most families do not neglect this ritual and are happy to prepare a delicious loaf and place a salt shaker with crumbly spices on it, preparing for the marriage of their son.

About the tradition of bread and salt

The parents of the newly-made husband greet their young daughter-in-law with bread and salt. The fact is that before, a woman who got married was accepted into her husband’s family and lived with him in the large house of his parents. Immediately after the wedding ceremony, the young spouses went to their husband, where the bride was supposed to taste bread and salt. This symbolized that her father-in-law accepted her into their home, their family, their hearts.

Before tasting a piece of loaf, parents blessed their children with an icon. Then the husband and wife took turns biting off a piece of bread, dipping it in salt and feeding it to each other. Whose piece turned out to be larger was considered the master in the young family. After this, the groom picked up the newlywed in his arms and carried her into the house. The half-eaten loaf was wrapped in a napkin and taken to church. It was believed that this would bring peace and love to the children's family.

About the tradition of welcoming newlyweds with bread and salt

Nowadays, life has changed a lot, but the tradition remains. Only in a slightly modified version. Often, the groom's parents meet the newlyweds with a loaf of bread not in their home, but at the door of the restaurant where the wedding is planned. This is due to the fact that it is not always convenient to go to the house of the husband’s parents, and to the fact that young families mostly live independently, without parents.

During the bread-biting ceremony, guests sprinkle the newlyweds with sweets, coins and flower petals. Which symbolizes the wishes of the young family for a sweet, happy life, financial well-being, love and tenderness.

After the newlyweds have taken a bite of the loaf, they often break it in half and give it to the bride and groom. They simultaneously begin to feed the guests; whoever completed the task faster is the breadwinner in the house.

Bread and salt

Since ancient times, both of these products have been held in special esteem in Rus'. Bread has always been a food included in the daily diet of almost every person and has enjoyed special respect and reverence. Salt was considered a scarce and expensive product. They were even prescribed special magical properties. Thus, salt, according to popular belief, can protect against all evil spirits, and bread helps to establish peace and friendship between people.

An offer to taste bread and salt speaks of the friendliness and hospitality of the hosts. Refusal of the offered treat was regarded as a serious insult.

Tip 3: How did the tradition of greeting guests with bread and salt arise?

The tradition of greeting dear guests with bread and salt has existed in Rus' for a long time. In part, it continues to this day. To this day, it is customary to greet newlyweds with bread and salt. On especially solemn occasions, delegations arriving from other cities and countries are greeted with bread and salt. Thanks to this wonderful tradition, the fame of Russian “hospitality” began - the ever-present ability to receive guests with dignity.

Symbolism of bread and salt

In Ancient Rus', bread was a symbol of wealth and prosperity. Salt was given special attention: it was considered a talisman against evil spirits. Greeting the guest with bread was the beginning of a long and cordial friendship. If for some reason a guest refused to accept “bread and salt,” this was considered a terrible insult to the hosts.

During the meal, instead of the modern wish “Bon appetit!”, the sound was “Bread and salt!” It was believed that this helps drive away evil spirits. They took bread and salt with them. Even kings could send gifts of bread and salt from their tables to their subjects as a sign of their highest mercy.

In those distant times, much more bread and salt were consumed in food than now. Perhaps this is why the saying arose: in order to get to know a person better, you need to eat a pound of salt with him.

Salt is more valuable than gold

Some Russian language researchers believe that the word “salt” comes from the ancient name of the Sun, which sounded like “Solon”. There were many folk signs and superstitions associated with salt. For example, spilling salt was considered a bad omen. It arose because salt in Rus' was a very expensive product. The salt shaker was placed on the table only for very dear guests. If the guest is accidental or - what good! - deliberately spilled salt, this was considered a sign of disrespect for the owners. That’s why they still say: “Spilling salt means a quarrel!”

Since salt not only does not spoil itself, but also helps preserve other foods, it was also considered a symbol of immortality. Perhaps this is why the pagans tried to carry a bag of salt with them to protect against witches and other evil spirits.

The Slovak fairy tale “Salt is more valuable than gold” tells about the importance of salt in the life of Slavic peoples. Her heroine, Princess Marushka, compared her love for her father with her love for salt, thereby causing terrible anger on his part. Only when there was no salt left in the entire kingdom, which magically turned into gold, did the king-father fully realize his mistake.

When the newlyweds are greeted with bread and salt during the wedding ceremony, the groom's parents thus express their readiness to accept their son's wife into the family. At the same time, the ruddy loaf must be presented on a beautiful embroidered towel, symbolizing purity and bright thoughts.

Despite the fact that the tradition of welcoming guests with bread and salt is very ancient, it has not left Russian culture to this day and has become a symbol of hospitality as one of the best qualities of the Russian people.

Video on the topic

Bread and salt BREAD AND SALT. 1. Traditional folk name for treats (various types of food and drinks). [ Peter:] Accept matchmakers, Prince Roman Borisovich. [Buynosov:] Delighted, dear matchmakers. Sit down, dear matchmakers. Don't disdain our bread and salt(A.N. Tolstoy. Peter the Great). 2. Food; care, care. Freezing, Nadya rose to meet her. But the grandmother did not pay any attention to her attention, but went up to Olga and bowed low to her. “Well, thank you, daughter,” Grandma Praskovya spoke in a whiny voice, “I respected my old mother, thanked her for the bread and salt!”(Yu. Dobryakov. Lace). - From an ancient Slavic custom that has survived to this day: as a sign of respect, at a ceremonial meeting, offer a loaf of bread and salt to the person you are meeting.

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

Synonyms:

See what “Bread and Salt” is in other dictionaries:

    BREAD AND SALT- BREAD SALT, hospitality for women. lunch, table, food offered to the visitor, and refreshment. Bread and salt to lead, to know, to be friends with someone. I remember your bread and salt. Bread and salt is a mutual matter. They don't refuse bread and salt. Don’t listen to bread and salt, they say at the table... ... Dahl's Explanatory Dictionary

    bread and salt- drive bread salt.. Dictionary of Russian synonyms and expressions similar in meaning. under. ed. N. Abramova, M.: Russian Dictionaries, 1999. bread and salt care, bread and salt, friendship, bread and salt, eat for health, care, worries, treats, hospitality,... ... Synonym dictionary

    Bread and salt- in adv. culture symbol of hospitality, prosperity, prosperity, life. Salt and bread were considered as one, inseparable and obligatory, cf.: salt bread is not scolded, without salt and bread one cannot eat, meet H.S., on bread, on salt, but on good... ... Russian humanitarian encyclopedic dictionary

    BREAD AND SALT- BREAD SALT, bread of salt (obsolete soft drink). A friendly meal, as well as friendship and hospitality in general. Take bread and salt with someone. To shun someone's name bread and salt Eat salt bread, but cut the truth (last). Ozhegov's explanatory dictionary. S.I. Ozhegov, N.Yu. Shvedova... ... Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary

    bread and salt- bread and salt, bread and salt... Spelling dictionary-reference book

    BREAD AND SALT- Call bread salt. Yarosl. Thank the hosts for the treat when leaving the table. YaOS 2, 53. Take bread and salt with someone. Simple To be on friendly terms with someone. BMS 1998, 601; Mokienko 1986, 232; FM 2002, 582; ZS 1996, 284; SPP 2001, 78; DP... Large dictionary of Russian sayings

    bread and salt- see bread; bread/ba with/li, in the meaning. noun trad. adv. Treat (initially in the form of bread and salt) Help yourself, do not disdain bread and salt. Bread salt! (wishing bon appetit to someone caught eating) Thank you for the bread and salt! (for refreshments and... Dictionary of many expressions

    bread and salt- Guests to the yard, and the gates to be locked (to hold longer) He is good who gives water and food, and he is not bad who remembers bread and salt. They don't refuse bread and salt. Wed. A resident of the luxurious capital here, Where I only drink Neva water. Will I forget your waters... Michelson's Large Explanatory and Phraseological Dictionary

    Bread and salt- Bread and salt. Guests enter the courtyard, and the gates are locked (to delay longer). “He is good who gives water and food, and he is not bad who remembers bread and salt.” People do not refuse bread and salt. Wed. A resident of the luxurious capital here, Where the Neva water is only... Michelson's Large Explanatory and Phraseological Dictionary (original spelling)

    Outdated Simple Greetings to those caught eating. After greeting, Larion says: Bread and salt of your grace! Sit down and have a meal with us, Froska invites good-naturedly (Novikov Surf. Superfluous). In one place they [the students] came across a bunch of... ... Phraseological Dictionary of the Russian Literary Language

Books

  • Bread and salt, Vladimir Krasilshchikov. The novel by V. Krasilytsikov is dedicated to people who feed us every day with their labor - an entire dynasty... Buy for 190 rubles
  • Bread, Salt, Water (CDmp3), Khabarova Kira. Musical album - dedicated to Fr. Nikolai Guryanov. Text, music, vocals - Kira Khabarova. Total time…

Phraseology is a very interesting and fascinating section of the language. Getting acquainted with the origin of individual phraseological units, you are amazed at the wisdom of the people, the flexibility of their minds and imaginative thinking. Let's look at some examples of such collective creativity of the people.

Freeze

In pre-revolutionary Russia, the Greek language was taught. When teachers were dissatisfied with their students’ answers, they often uttered the word “moros,” which meant “stupidity” in Russian. This word came into use, transforming into “freeze” - “to say something stupid” (namely “to say”, not “to do”).

All over Ivanovskaya

At the Ivan the Great Bell Tower in Moscow, all thirty bells rang on church holidays; the ringing could be heard throughout half of Moscow. “To all Ivanovskaya” began to mean “to call (shout, make noise) very loudly, at the top of your lungs.”

Getting into trouble

In a carding machine there is a hole - a drum with teeth. The wool carders, being careless, could get their hand into a hole, and this was an extremely unpleasant sensation, and they could even lose their hand. “To get into trouble” has changed over time not only in spelling (the noun with a preposition was transformed into the derived adverb “to get into trouble” and began to be written together with the prefix), but also acquired a somewhat softened, not so harsh meaning: “to get into trouble” now simply means “ get into an awkward position” rather than get into trouble.

Where do crayfish spend the winter?

Of the several versions about the origin of this phraseological unit, the most reliable seems to be that especially guilty people were sent to get delicious crayfish in winter, since there was a high probability of getting pneumonia. “Showing where crayfish spend the winter” meant forcing them to climb into a winter pond. At the same time, the person did not have the opportunity to make an excuse, saying that he searched, but did not find such places.

Goal like a falcon

This phraseological unit puzzles many: why is the “falcon naked” plucked, or what? And the answer is simple: the “falcon” here is not a bird at all, but a smoothly trimmed log, a battering weapon. There were no knots, jagged edges or bumps allowed on it - in the heat of battle, warriors could have injured their hands.

The reinterpretation of the expression is such that it denotes the poverty of someone, the lack of even the necessary.

Long box

Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, wanting to be known as kind and sympathetic, started a special long-shaped box for petitions (petitions) at the facade of the palace in Kolomenskoye so that petitioners could drop their notes into it. The boyars were responsible for delivering petitions to the king. They not only delayed petitions, but often completely “lost” some if they contained complaints against themselves.
If the resolution of a case is delayed, they now say “the case has been shelved.”

Tobacco case

Phraseologism has the meaning of the threat of failure of some business. It goes back to the times of barge haulers in Rus'. The barge haulers tied a tobacco pouch around their necks so as not to get wet when they pulled the barge. If the water level near the river bank rose and reached the chest, alarming cries were heard: “Taba-a-ak!”

Laces (balusters) sharpen, baluster

Balusters, balusters, lathes - these are all the names of figured posts for stair railings, which were made on lathes. The work was not difficult, the master did not require special attention to complete it, so he could afford to work and joke and joke at the same time.
Therefore, the established expression “sharpen your laces, play around” came into use precisely as “jolly joke.”

Tuck it into your belt

In Rus', the belt was a mandatory item of clothing for both men and women. As for the working people, for them it was not only a tribute to fashion, but also the need to deftly handle a tool, temporarily unnecessary to tuck into their belt, so that at the right moment they could use it again, without wasting time searching.
Additionally, a disparaging meaning appeared in this expression when it began to be used in relation to those less dexterous and skillful in any matter, equating it with an unnecessary thing: “I’ll put you in your belt!”

Shabby look

At first glance, the meaning of this phraseological unit is directly related to the inevitable soiling of clothes during lunch (meal) - even very neat people have encountered this trouble at least once. But there is a completely different version associated with the historical fact of the transfer of the weaving factory founded by Peter I to the merchant Zatrapeznikov. The factory produced cheap fabric for poor people and for household needs.
Later, the expression “He looks shabby” began to characterize unkempt people in wrinkled and unkempt clothes.

Kazan orphans

After the conquest of Kazan, Tsar Ivan the Terrible needed to gain the loyalty of the Tatars, and he spent a lot of money on appeasing them, generously gifting many of them. After this, some deprived people began to importunately demand rewards for themselves, pretending to be poor.
This gave rise to mockingly calling them “Kazan orphans,” which later “stuck” to all beggars.

You can’t lure with a roll

In Rus' until the 17th century. The main product for baking bread was rye flour. Rye bread was eaten by both the poor and the rich. Wheat flour was used only for baking kalachi and Easter cakes for the holidays, which was available only to the rich; for the poor it was an inaccessible delicacy.
Not to back down from a decision even with generous promises means to be adamant, not to give in to persuasion under any circumstances, even if they “lure you in with a roll.”

Gimp pull

In the old days, gold, silver and copper threads for embroidery were called gimp. They were made by hand back then. Threads were slowly and extremely carefully drawn from the hot metal, which should have the same thickness and uniform structure as they solidified. This could only be achieved by jewelry work at a slow pace.
Therefore, “gimp to pull”, “gimp” in an allegorical sense means “to hesitate”, “to hesitate”. Probably, the idiom “pushing the tires” appeared in a similar way.

The thief's hat is on fire

This phraseological unit has its own background: an old joke. It talks about an incident at the bazaar when, wanting to find a thief, people turned to a healer for help. The healer suddenly shouted: “Look, the thief’s hat is on fire!” One of those present involuntarily grabbed his head. This gave him away. He was the thief.
The expression “The thief’s cap is on fire!” now denotes a person who, by a careless action or word, has betrayed his unseemly actions or intentions.

Slurping not salty

In ancient Rus', salt was an expensive product; it was transported from afar and was valued very much, used carefully and economically. Food was salted directly at the table and often from the owner’s hand. And since “his own hand is the ruler,” the host generously salted the food of those guests who sat closer to him and were, of course, more noble. And those who sat on the far edge sometimes did not get any salt at all. And such a guest left, it turns out, “without a sip.”
Now this is what they say about an unsuccessful visit, where the guest was not given due attention and he did not achieve the desired result from his visit.

Not at ease

An example of how a phraseological unit can lead away from its meaning in a completely unexpected direction. This is a tracing-paper from French, where n’est pas dans son assiette is translated as “to be in a bad mood, not in the mood.” But the word assiette also has a second meaning – “plate”. However, it doesn’t even occur to us to think about some kind of utensil when we use this expression. We understand perfectly well that we are talking about some kind of awkwardness or bad mood, as well as other inconveniences.

Make a fool of yourself

The characteristic features of the Russian people in past centuries were modesty and shyness. An uncovered head for both men and women was considered unacceptable liberty and disgrace, especially if a person’s hat or scarf was torn off “in peace.” Hence the negative meaning of the expression “goof” - “get into an awkward position”, “disgrace yourself”.

From board to board

Doing some kind of work from start to finish is the same as reading a book “from cover to cover,” that is, from cover to cover. And in ancient Rus', the first books, still handwritten, had not leather or cardboard, but wooden covers.
Hence “from board to board.”

Find out the lowdown

In the old days, cruel torture was used for interrogation in prisons. One of the most sophisticated was the one when nails were driven under the nails. Few people could withstand such torment and gave out what they wanted from them. In other words, the information seemed to be obtained “from under the fingernails,” that is, it was “the inside story,” and it was extracted from there.

From the red line

The first Russian books were written by hand, and the initial letters of sections were painted with ornaments in red paint, sometimes including other colors. Each new paragraph began with a red letter. This line became known as the “red line”. The phraseological unit means “to start something new”, “to start over”.

Lost your mind

The meaning of this idiom is associated with the name of the Greek mountain Pantelik. In the numerous caves and grottoes formed by the work of marble miners, it was sometimes possible to get lost. Therefore, this expression is used in the sense of “deviating from the intended course,” but not in a literal, but in a figurative sense, for example, “losing the thread of reasoning” and the like.

Miracles in a sieve

Initially, the expression had the appearance of an amazing phenomenon: “Miracles: there are many holes in the sieve, but there is nowhere to get out.” Then it surprisingly shortened and acquired an ironic meaning: “Well, what miracles can there be in a sieve? Should you try carrying water?”

Walk trump

Advantage in a card game comes to mind. But no! The point is the boyar collar, which they sewed onto their festive caftan to distinguish themselves from the common people. Such gates were embroidered with pearls, gold and silver, stuck up impressively, giving importance to the person, making her posture proud, and were called “trump cards”. Hence, “to trump” means to “put on airs,” and “to trump” means to brag about something.

 


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