10 strange Russian idioms as observed by foreigners

Each language has strange and probably absurd sayings. As native speakers, we learn them naturally. However, if a foreigner hears, let’s say, a phrase ‘when hell freezes over’, they might imagine the picture quite literally. We offer you 10 Russian idioms as imagined by a Canadian illustrator Nathan James.

Russians never lie – they вешают лапшу на уши

If a Russian is extremely talented, we say that он может подковать блоху

If a Russian wants to assure you of their honesty, he’d say ‘Я тебе зуб даю’ (lit. I give you a tooth)

зуб даю

Аre you hungry? You can have a snack/bite, or, as Russians say, заморить червячка (lit. kill a little worm)

If you boast or show off way too much, Russians would say you пускаешь пыль в глаза (lit. throw dust in somebody’s eyes)

пускать пыль в глаза

There is a poor crab sitting on a mountain prepared to whistle. Sounds unrealistic? Exactly! When something is very unlikely to happen, say когда рак на горе свистнет.

Have you just won a lottery or are about to go on a holiday of your lifetime ? You are obviously super excited and can’t wait! In that situation you could say выпрыгивать из штанов (от радости/нетерпения) (lit. jump out of pants with happiness/excitement)

Russians don’t just exaggerate, they делают из мухи слона

Like sardines in a tin? Как селедка в бочке. (lit. like herring in a barrel)

Russians believe that there is a raisin hiding inside each interesting person. If you are a cool guy or a girl with a twist, in Russian you are с июминкой (lit.with a raisin).

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