Russian-English dictionary of idioms. English idioms: what are they and should you learn them?

Phrases with prepositions - Set expressions with prepositions

In English there are a number set expressions with prepositions to remember:
1. Prepositions with nouns
A. Nouns with the preposition by
by mistake
by accident accidentally
by chance
by the way, by the way
by your favor/with your permission
b. Nouns with the preposition for
for a walk/swim, etc. walk, swim, etc.
for breakfast/lunch, etc. for breakfast/lunch, etc.
V. Nouns with the preposition in
in somebody's opinion
in fact, in fact, in fact, essentially
in case
d. Nouns with the preposition on
on the radio/television, etc. on radio/television
on holiday/business/a trip/an cruise, etc. on vacation/on a business trip/on a trip/on an excursion/on a cruise, etc.
2. Prepositions with adjectives
A. Adjectives with the preposition of
to be afraid/frightened of being scared/frightened by something or someone; afraid
to be ashamed/proud of to be ashamed/proud of something or someone
to be aware of being aware of something
to be fond of loving something
to be full of to be full of something (strength, energy)
to be jealous/envious of jealous/envy someone or something
to be tired of
it is nice (kind/good/stupid/impolite, etc.) of someone nice, stupid, impolite, etc. from someone's side
b. Adjectives with the preposition at
to be bad/good/hopeless, etc. at have no ability (success)/have ability (success)/be hopeless, etc. in any activity
to be shocked/surprised, etc. at/by be shocked/surprised, etc. anything
V. Adjectives with the preposition with
to be disappointed/satisfied with to be disappointed/satisfied with something
d. Adjectives with the preposition about
to be angry/annoyed about to be angry/annoyed with someone/something
d. Adjectives with the preposition for
to be responsible for
to be famous for being famous for something (a record, an act, etc.)
to be/feel sorry for smb. feel sorry for/sympathize with someone
e. Adjectives with the preposition in
to be interested in
in general
and. Adjectives with the preposition to
to be similar to
to be glad to meet smb. be glad to meet someone
to be married/engaged to be married/engaged
it is nice to meet you
3. Prepositions with verbs
A. Verbs with the preposition for
apply for
care for
look for
punish for
search for to look for something, someone
wait for something, someone
go for a (walk/swim)
b. Verbs with the preposition in
believe in
succeed in
V. Verbs with the preposition to
belong to belong
happen to happen, happen with
listen to listen to something, someone
speak to/with say something
d. Verbs with the preposition about/of
complain about
dream about/of dream about
think about/of think about
consist of
remind of resemble, remind
d. Verbs with the preposition on
depend on
insist on
live on
rely on
be on go, happen
e. Verbs with the preposition at
laugh at laugh at
mock at
look at
shout at
and. Verbs with the preposition after
look after
h. Verbs with the preposition through
look through (newspaper, magazine)
And. Verbs with the preposition from
suffer from
j. Verbs with the preposition by
stand by to be nearby, to be ready to help
l. Verbs with the preposition off
be off
put something off
m. Verbs with the preposition around/about
wait around/about
n. Verbs with the preposition up
wake up
get up

At teaching grammar we have said more than once that it is more productive to memorize words not separately, but as a part stable phrases. This method of learning saves a lot of time and effort.

For example, which option to choose - do noise or make noise ? According to the logic of usage, it would be better to say do noise, but it’s correct - make noise . Therefore, logic does not always work.

Or another example: “to give a compliment” is translated by many as “ say a compliment " However, more faithful and nice option - pay a compliment , although an ignorant person is unlikely to guess that in this case pay more appropriate than say .

Where logic does not work, the law of automatism comes to the rescue - you need to memorize phrases so that they “fly out” in right moment already in a suitable phrase so that you don’t have to come up with these phrases yourself.

So, basic stable combinations known with the following verbs: have, do, make, take, break, catch, pay, save, keep, come, go, get.

Table. Set expressions in English


have a bath/ a shower have drink/ a coffee/ a tea have a good time have a rest/ a break have lunch/ breakfast/ dinner have a swim/a talk	do the housework do the shopping/ the washing up	make a difference

take someone's place take a temperature		catch someone's eye catch someone's attention

pay by credit card pay a compliment pay your respects

come to a compromise come to a decision come to an agreement come to a standstill come to terms with	go fishing/ skiing/ kayaking go out of business	get the impression

Despite the “volume” of this list, you can simplify the task of remembering these collocations. First, go can be changed to come in motion expressions. Secondly, as we already know, it is a verb of change of state. Therefore, no matter what adjective is added to it, the entire expression will take on the meaning “to become something.” Instead of get in such expressions, you can put become, turn, go . Therefore, if your lexical base allows you, play with meanings, substitute and replace. But make sure that you are understood at the same time!

Meaning: get straight to the point.

This expression has a very interesting story occurrence. Cut is a film montage (transition from one frame to another), chase is a pursuit (for example, police officers chasing a criminal). Previously in the cinema itself interesting part The film had a chase, but inexperienced screenwriters inserted too much boring dialogue into the film, which had little effect on the plot. Later, the producers watched the tape and said: “This part is too boring. Let's cut it out and get straight to the chase." This is how the expression cut to the chase became entrenched in the language.

Example. Look, I don’t have time for this. Just cut to the chase already. - Listen, I don't have time for this. Let's get straight to the point.

2.Backseat driver

Meaning: someone who gives unsolicited advice.

Sometimes people in the back seat of a car begin to give advice to the driver, which not only does not help him in any way, but, on the contrary, annoys him. In modern English this expression is used both literally and figuratively.

Example. You are too much of a backseat driver right now. I can do it myself, thanks! - You're giving me too much advice now that I don't need. I can handle it myself, thank you!

3. Pull someone's leg

Meaning: make a joke on someone, play a prank on someone.

In the 18th century in England, the streets were very dirty, so the following joke was extremely popular in those days: someone took a cane or a stick with a hook, tripped another person, and he fell face first into the dirt. Literally, this expression translates as “pulling someone’s leg.”

Example. This can't be true. You must be pulling my leg! - Can't be. You're kidding me!

4. So much for something

Meaning: that's all; something didn't go as planned.

Typically this expression is used to express disappointment about a situation that did not turn out as planned.

Example. The weather is awful. So much for our walk in the park. - The weather is disgusting. You won't be able to take a walk in the park.

5. You wish

Meaning: something else.

This expression is the equivalent of the Russian “yes right now” or “yeah, I ran away,” that is, a sarcastic response to some kind of request.

Example:

Will you buy me the new iPhone? (Will you buy me a new iPhone?)
- Yeah, you wish! (Yeah, what else!)

6. No sweat

Meaning: don't worry, it's very easy.

This idiom is a kind of synonym. The word sweat is translated as “sweat.” The expression is used when talking about something easy (this can be done without breaking a sweat at all). The phrase is also sometimes used as an informal response to “Thank you!”

Example:

Can you finish the project by Friday? (Will you finish the project by Friday?)
- No sweat, boss! (No problem, boss!)

7. Go Dutch

Meaning: pay for yourself.

In the US, for example, when a couple goes on a date, often everyone pays for themselves, and this is considered polite and correct. The expression itself comes from the so-called Dutch doors (Dutch - “Dutch”), which are divided into two identical parts.

Example. Let's go out together! We'll go Dutch if you want. - Let's go on a date! If you want, we'll pay you equally.

8. Call it a day

Meaning: wrap up.

This expression is often used at work to mean “that’s enough for today, let’s finish.”

Example. Alright, let's call it a day. - That's enough for today.

9. Go off the rails

Meaning: go crazy, go crazy.

The comparison is very simple: just as a train goes off the rails, from its normal path, so does a person go crazy.

Example. Looks like Jim has gone off the rails. - Looks like Jim has gone completely crazy.

10. Catch someone red-handed

Meaning: catch someone red-handed.

The history of the origin of the expression is quite trivial. If a person has red hands, then most likely they are bleeding. And if they are in the blood, then he is probably guilty. Of course, today this expression is also used in a figurative sense.

Example. There is no point denying it, you were caught red-handed. - There is no point in denying, you were caught red-handed.

Let's continue the topic of idioms and talk about the features of their translation. Then I will offer, along with a translation into Russian, popular idioms English language, which are useful to know in our modern life. I hope they will undoubtedly add “color” to your English speech.

Stylistics of idioms and features of their translation

Idioms are a feature of every language; they represent a very interesting category of stable verbal combinations that often have semantic meanings, completely different from the meanings of the words of which they are composed.

One and the same thought different languages is expressed through a verbal formulation chosen according to the “ideas” that have developed among the people speaking this language. And although every nation has its own approach to understanding those life situations that any person encounters, regardless of his place of residence; nevertheless, some semantic commonality of reasoning is found among all peoples.

Search for semantic commonality in translation

My point is that translations of idioms, in essence, like translations of proverbs and sayings from one language to another, often involve finding just expressions that are close in meaning.

For example, English idiom:

as good as gold - Russian translation: “like silk.”

The meaning is the same, it implies the behavior of someone, that is: obedient, flexible. But the comparisons are completely different.

I don’t think if we say the following words to a Russian speaker, he will interpret the meaning correctly:

- Your grandson was as good as gold all week.

Tell me, will you guess? So here's another example:

Go against the grain (literal translation: to go against the grain) - Russian equivalent: to contradict someone's principles.

I don’t think it’s so easy to guess what the true meaning of this idiom is by translating it literally.

You have to refuse, if this idea goes against the grain. - You must refuse if this idea contradicts your principles.

There are some idioms in English that have no analogues in Russian, and when translating them, we simply indicate their semantic meanings:

At sixes and sevens - “sixes”, “sevens”, can you imagine what this could mean? This means being confused; if we talk about things, then this is what we mean: to be in a mess.
Example:

I was at sixes and sevens after his words. “I was confused after his words.

Of course, there are a number of English idioms that we translate literally and get Russian idioms. That is, there are identical idiomatic expressions in both languages. If they were all like this, it would undoubtedly simplify the task of translating them, but this is not the case.

Here are examples of completely similar idioms in English and Russian:

Аt the ends of the earth - at the edge of the earth
Heel of Achilles - Achilles heel
Read somebody's mind - read other people's thoughts
Follow in somebody's footsteps - follow in someone's footsteps
Fortune smiles on/upon somebody - fate smiles on someone

Maybe we can do without them?

You may say: why do I need to know some proverbs if the minimum vocabulary and the rules that I know are sufficient for me to communicate. But believe me, speaking today without these kinds of words and phrases is deadening the language, making it uninteresting. It's like watching a movie in black and white instead of color. It's not for nothing that all these locals stylistic features colloquial speech called colorism of language.

Imagine another case like this. You went to visit somewhere in America: maybe school curriculum, maybe wanting to make money, in general, the reasons may be different. At the same time, you seem to be no stranger to English, and you even have a dictionary with colloquial slang with you. But after some time, you are surprised to realize that you do not understand half of what they tell you and cannot participate in dialogues. People around you laugh at jokes, and you can only smile tightly. Do you think anyone will want to communicate with you?

And the reason is not that you don’t know the language, but that your ear “stumbles” over several unfamiliar words every time. I repeat, just a few, but this sometimes makes the whole conversation incomprehensible. Idiom in English speech Not very many are used in everyday life, although there are many idioms themselves. Therefore, I think it is not so difficult to remember them in order to make them full participants in your speech.

To better remember an idiom, you need to understand its meaning, which often seems ridiculous. To understand the meaning, it is good to know the history of certain idioms. Remember the story about raining cats? By the way, there is another version (village) of its origin, in addition to scary stories about cesspool sewerage. In the old days, houses in villages were covered with straw, and this attracted local cats: they preferred to sleep on soft, fragrant beds. And frequent in

In England, heavy rains washed away unfortunate cats directly onto the heads of citizens.

But the idiom “To face the music” is about paying for one’s actions, we also talked about it last time. Oddly enough, she has a “military” origin. British soldiers were tried on the parade ground for their misdeeds, and while listening to the verdict, they stood facing not only the line, but also the orchestra, beating drum roll. In short, this music was sad.

By the way, this English idiom is very consonant with our relatively recently appeared expression “face on table”, and is similar in meaning.

English idioms (50 words)

The time has come to start learning new idioms. The following 50 idioms, once learned, will surely make your English more expressive!

As easy as pie- lighter than light
The acid test- a serious test
All sixes- it doesn’t matter, it doesn’t matter
Around the clock— around the clock
All of a sudden- like a bolt from the blue
Another cup of tea- a completely different matter
Have been around- a lot to see, not born yesterday
Buy some time- delay the decisive moment, gain time
The battle of books- scientific dispute
Behind closed doors- for closed doors, secretly
To call somebody/something in/into question- to question
To carry the can- to be extreme, to be guilty without guilt
Call the shots- to be your own master, to manage (everything)
Clean as a whistle- clean as glass
Have a close call- to be on the verge of death, tragedy
Crunch time- very stressful period
cry wolf- false alarm
Deep six- get rid of, throw something away
A dirty look- angry, dissatisfied look
Done with mirrors- swindle
Down at heel- shabby; sloppily dressed
Draw the line- to put an end to
Driving force — driving force; motive
Eye candy- pleasing to the eye
Have/ get egg on one’s face - disgrace yourself
Eat one's words- take back words
Eat Crow- repent, blame
A eager beaver- hard worker, overzealous worker, zealous worker
A fair field and no favor- game/fight on equal terms
For old times" sake- in memory of past years, in the name of the past, out of old friendship
From cradle to grave- from birth to death; all my life
Friends in high places- connections, profitable acquaintances
Full as a trick- eat to your heart's content
Foul play- unfair game
Have the gift of the gab- have a good tongue, be able to speak eloquently
Green old age- vigorous old age, blooming old age
Half-and-half- so-so; neither this nor that
Hobson's choice- choice without choice; no alternative choice
An Indian summer- Indian summer, golden autumn
In hot water- in trouble, in a difficult situation
Ill at ease- not at ease
In no time- in the blink of an eye
Jump for joy- jump for joy
To keep to oneself- avoid people, be unsociable
Lame duck- loser, incompetent
Live it up- have fun
New blood- fresh strength, help
Pie in the sky- empty dreams
Strong language- strong expressions
Take heart- do not lose heart, take courage, gather your courage, become bolder

Good luck! And see you again and share the article with your friends.

We also learned about the features of their translation from one language to another.

To refresh your memory, let me remind you:

Idiom (idiom) is a figure of speech that is somewhat inextricably related words(usually two, three), which have a completely different meaning from general meaning these words.

List of common idioms in English!

Learn English idioms

Examples of idioms:

To face the music(literal translation: facing the music) —
Take responsibility for your misdeeds, clear up the mess

A completely unexpected meaning. Music usually evokes positive associations for us. It's all about the origin of this idiom. Previously, in the British Army, courts-martial were accompanied by

orchestra playing. Hence we have: face the music - face the judge and be held accountable for what you have done.

Wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve (literal translation: wearing someone’s heart on one’s sleeve) -
Show your emotions, not be able to hide emotions

Such a strange solution to the idiom again lies in history. It is believed that in distant medieval times, knights tied a red ribbon on their sleeve, previously given by his lady, and thus expressed their feelings to her.

These established expressions are a kind of uniqueness of each language. It is the English language that is rich in such expressions. They are used every day and everywhere in the speech of English speakers. Today the need for their knowledge no longer raises any doubts. They make our speech more expressive and natural.

List of the most common idioms

There are thousands of different idiomatic expressions in the English language. However, many of them are used extremely rarely, and some have completely fallen out of use. I would like to offer you a short list of idioms that you might actually need. You can download this list of 75 popular English expressions along with translation and add freedom to your communication with English speakers

Idioms dictionary is your best assistant

Dictionary of idioms in English I would like to recommend you a couple of books that can help you learn these amazing combinations words and mastering the art of using them in speech. Why do you need a competent assistant? The fact is that the main difficulty in studying idioms is understanding their meaning. A literal translation will not achieve an understanding of their meaning; in many cases, such a translation is far from their real meaning. In addition, it is not always clear what positive or negative connotation an expression has. As is the case with the expression “face the music.”

The Cambridge International Dictionary of Idioms is one of the best sources for those who want to study idiomatic expressions in depth. This dictionary contains about 7,000 modern English idioms. The dictionary helps students understand the meaning of amazing stable combinations words, as well as correctly and confidently use them in speech
Longman Pocket Idioms Dictionary - this dictionary contains about 3,000 interesting idioms, which are arranged according to keywords V alphabetical order, which makes it easier to find the necessary turn of phrase. Another of its advantages is its convenient, compact size; such a small dictionary can be taken, for example, on a trip and studied during free time from excursions, and then used in communication with native English speakers
English-Russian dictionary of idioms, set expressions, Belinskaya N. - its peculiarity is that in it you will find idioms along with Russian translation and explanation, while the two previous books offer interpretations of meanings in English. Suitable for different levels of language proficiency

Based on your level of English proficiency, as well as what results you want to achieve in learning idioms, you can choose and download a book or purchase it in a store. This book will be your assistant in learning fancy word combinations. If your language level is not high enough, you should choose a dictionary in which you can find the desired word combination with a Russian translation or equivalent. Good luck!