There are idioms in the languages of the world. For the Russian language, the word "phraseologism" is more familiar.
An idiom is a combination of several words that conveys one common meaning. These words lose their meaning individually.
You can't understand the meaning if you don't know the meaning of the idiom. In addition, phraseological units give color to our statements. Therefore, they need to be memorized and used in speech.
This article will introduce English idioms with translation. And their equivalents in Russian. So.
English idioms. Weather
In the UK they don't talk about politics, religion, family. Especially with strangers. The only suitable topic for conversation is the weather. Therefore, a lot of English idioms are on this topic.
Rain cats and dogs - it's raining. In Russian - it pours like a bucket.
This English idiom originated in the 18th century. It was introduced by the British writer J. Swift. In those days, there was a weak protection of sewer pipes. They broke through even from the showers. All the contents poured out, including the corpses of domestic animals: cats and dogs.
Steal one'sthunder - steal someone's idea.
This English idiom came from theaters in the 18th century. At that time there was no sound equipment, and to create the sound of thunder, lead balls were shaken in a bowl. The playwright J. Dennis used metal in his play. The play was rejected, but the idea of metal balls was stolen from Dennis.
Then he shouted out 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 closer.
In the 19th century, the first icebreakers appeared. To get to their destination, they had to cope with a thick crust of ice. This is where the English idiom comes from. "Break the ice" - that is, make an effort to build relationships.
Get wind of smth - learn something ahead of time. In Russian, you can say this: "sniff out", find out, reconnoiter.
This phrase is a comparison with how animals receive information using 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 phraseological unit means "postpone until better times"
The expression came from America in the 19th century. If a baseball game was canceled due to rain, fans were given rainchecks to attend any event they wanted.
Calm before the storm - it's quiet before the storm. In Russian, the expression "calm beforestorm."
Sometimes, when for no reason, some problem will fall on your head. And the person does not even suspect about it.
The meaning of the idiom is completely similar to what happens in the sea. Usually there is a calm before a strong storm.
Food
Couch potato. "Couch" is "sofa", "potato" is "potato". Such is the "sofa potato man", that is, a lazy person and a couch potato.
Egghead is smart. We call them botanists, and in the USA they call them eggheads.
Chew the fat - to slander, to sharpen folly. Literally: chew fat.
Animals
When pigs fly - when pigs fly. Russians say this: "when the cancer whistles on the mountain." That is, not soon.
Eager beaver. Literally - a tense beaver. In Russian - "hard worker", a business person.
Black sheep - literally, a black sheep, but in meaning - a white crow. Denotes a person who is not like the others.
Be as busy as a bee - to be as busy as a bee. In Russian, roll up your sleeves.
Money
A piece of a pie - "a piece of the pie", that is, a share.
Be flushed with money
Make ends meet - live from bread to kvass, need.
Bring home the bacon - provide, bring home a penny.
