AFE: 10 Russian Phrases from Dr. Holiman that will Make You Say “wut”

  1. Ба́бушка гада́ла, на́двое сказа́ла.

Literally from Russian: Granny was telling fortunes and said two things.

English: No one can know for certain.

  1. Ба́ба с во́зу — кобы́ле ле́гче.

Literally from Russian: Get the woman off the cart. It’s easier on the horse

English: Women can make things harder.

  1. Бе́шеной соба́ке семь вёрст не крюк.

Literally from Russian: For a mad dog, seven versts (Russian mile) is not a long detour.

English: In for a dime, in for a dollar.

  1. Болтуна язык до добра не доведёт.

Literally from Russian: The tongue of a blabbermouth leads to no good.

English: A fool’s tongue runs before his feet.

  1. Даю́т — бери́, а бьют — беги́.

Literally from Russian: Take what they give you, run when they beat you.

English: Take things as they come.

  1. Дели́ть шку́ру неуби́того медве́дя.

Literally from Russian: Don’t divide the bear’s skin before he is dead.

English: Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched.

  1. До Бо́га высоко́, до Царя́ далеко́.

Literally from Russian: God is high above but the Tsar is far away.

English: I can get away with it.

  1. Доно́счику — пе́рвый кнут.

Literally from Russian: The informer is the first to get the knout.

English: Nobody likes a rat.

  1. Дурака́ учи́ть — что горбатого лечить.

Literally from Russian: To teach a fool is to try to cure a humpback.

  1. На во́ре ша́пка гори́т.

Literally from Russian: On a thief even his hat burns.

English: A guilty mind betrays itself.

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