Dark horses, white elephants, bulls in china shops and green-eyed monsters… all around us

МОУ Восточно-Европейский лицей

Phraseology

Dark horses, white elephants, bulls in china shops and green-eyed monsters… all around us

Фразеология

Темные лошадки, пустяшные вещи, слоны в посудной лавке и глаза завидущие … все вокруг нас

Творческая работа

ученицы 11 класса

Журавлевой Дарьи

Руководитель: Блинова Е. Г.,

учитель английского языка

Саратов

2009

Contents

  Introduction…………………………………………………………………..3

Chapter 1. Does the dog bark up the wrong tree?............................................ 4

Chapter 2. Some basic features of word-groups ……………………………. 6

Chapter 3. How to distinguish phraseological units from free word-groups ... 8

Chapter 4. Proverbs ………………………………………………………...10

Chapter 5. Principles of classifications……………………………………...11

Chapter 6. Translation ……………………………………………………    16

Conclusion ………………………………………………………………. 18

Bibliography……………………………………...……………………….18

          Supplement 1……………………………………………………………….19

          Supplement 2 ………………………………………………………………28        

Introduction

Any English language learner can face a problem coming across a sentence in which every word is known but the whole sentence is difficult to understand. The reason is such things as phraselogical units, idioms, sayings and proverbs. Every English language learner finds it difficult to understand, to translate and to use them adequately. Traditionally and rather reasonably Standard English is mainly taught in schools and universities. But there is a great stratum of the English language which is called spoken English. It is used by everyone in one’s immediate circle: family, relatives or friends.

It seems pertinent here to mention formal and informal styles of speech. Formal and informal styles are used in different spheres of communication.  The notion ‘the sphere of communication’ means the circumstances attending the process of speech in each particular case: professional communication, a lecture, an informal talk, a formal letter, an informal letter, an intimate letter, a speech in court, etc.

Just as there is formal and informal dress, so there is formal and informal speech. One is not supposed to come to a scientific symposium wearing a pair of pyjamas. On the other hand a sensible person wouldn’t go on a picnic wearing a tail coat. Consequently in formal situations people use formal style of speech, in informal situations - informal style.

There is no pretension to investigate all sides of informal style of speech. In the focus of the author’s interest are phraseological units, idioms, sayings and proverbs which can be referred to informal style rather than to formal. Though it should be admitted there are situations formal in character when using phraseological units, idioms, sayings and proverbs may seem just in its place.

 In the course of my investigation of the problems of phraseology I have studied different books and articles by reliable authors on the subject. Being incapable to put forward my own scientific theory concerning all the aspects of phraseology, I have concentrated my attention on some aspects useful for me as an English language learner. They are: set expressions and free word-groups, idioms, a set expression and a word, proverbs, principles of classification, methods of translation.

Chapter 1

Does the dog bark up the wrong tree?

Phraseological units, or idioms as they are called by most western scholars, represent what can be probably described as the most picturesque, colorful and expressive part of the language’s vocabulary. If synonyms can be figuratively referred to as the tints and colours of the vocabulary, then phraseology is a kind of picture gallery in which are collected vivid and amusing sketches of the nation’s customs, traditions and prejudices, recollections of its past history, fragments of folk songs and fairy-tales. Phraseology is probably the most democratic area of vocabulary. One can find grotesque images, figures and personalities in this picture gallery: dark horses, white elephants, bulls in china shops and green-eyed monsters, cats escaping from the bags, dogs barking up the wrong tree, men wearing their hearts on their sleeves, men wearing it in their mouths or in their boots. Sometimes this parade of funny animals and human beings looks like a merry fancy-dress ball. The metaphor ‘fancy-dress ball’ reflects a very important feature of the linguistic phenomenon under discussion: most participants of the carnival (if we accept the metaphor) wear masks, are disguised as something or somebody else. Dropping metaphor, word-groups known as phraseological units or idioms are characterized by a double sense: the current meanings of consistent words built up a certain picture, but the actual meaning of the whole unit has little or nothing to do with that picture in itself. It creates an absolutely new image.  

So, a dark horse is actually not a horse but a person about whom no one knows anything definite, and so one is not sure what can be expected from him. The imagery of a bull in a china shop lies on the surface: it’s a clumsy person. A white elephant is neither an animal nor a person. It’s a valuable object out of usefulness. The green-eyed monster is jealousy. To let the cat out of the bag   has nothing to do with cats. It means “to let some secret become known”. One can hear: “The dog barks up the wrong tree” and imagine a foolish dog sitting under the tree and barking at it while the cat or the squirrel has escaped. But the meaning of the idiom is “to follow a wrong scent; to look for somebody or something in a wrong place”. The idiom is often used in detective stories: The police are barking up the wrong tree as usual (they suspect somebody who has nothing to do with the crime).

The ambiguity of these interesting word-groups may lead to an amusing misunderstanding, especially for children who are apt to accept words at their face value.

Little Johnnie (crying): Mummy, mummy, my auntie Jane is dead.

Mother: Nonsense, child! She phoned me exactly five minutes ago.

Johnnie: But I heard Mrs. Brown say that her neighbours cut her dead.

To cut somebody dead means to rudely ignore somebody, to pretend not to know or recognize him/her.

Puns are frequently based on the ambiguity of idioms:

  “Isn’t our Kate a marvel? I wish you could have seen her at Harrisons’ party     yesterday. If I’d collected the bricks she dropped all over the place, I could build a villa.”

To drop a brick means to say unintentionally a quite indiscreet or tactless thing that shocks and offends people.

V. H. Collins writes in his Book of English Idiom: “In standard spoken and written English today idiom is an established and essential element that, used with care, ornaments and enriches the language”.

Used with care is an important warning because speech overloaded with idioms loses its freshness and originality. Idioms are ready-made speech units, and if they are frequently repeated they lose their colour and become trite clichés.

On the other hand, oral or written speech lacking idioms loses much in expressiveness, colour and emotional force.

In modern linguistics, there is a considerable confusion about the terminology associated with these word-groups. The most Russian scholars use the term “phraseological unit” which was introduced by Academician V. V. Vinogradov. The term “idiom” widely used by western scholars has comparatively recently found its way into phraseology of this country. But it is applied to only a certain type of phraseological unit.

There are some other terms denoting more or less the same linguistic phenomenon: set-expressions, set-phrases, phrases, fixed word-groups, collocations.

The confusion in terminology reflects lack of positive or wholly reliable criteria by which phraseological units can be distinguished from “free” word-groups.

It should be pointed out at once that the “freedom” of free word-groups is relative and arbitrary. Nothing is entirely “free” in speech as its linear relationships are governed, restricted and regulated by requirements of logic and common sense, rules of grammar and combinability.

One can speak of a black-eyed girl but not of a black-eyed table (unless in a piece of modernistic poetry where anything is possible). Also, to say the child was glad is quite correct, but a glad child is wrong because glad is attributively used only with a very limited number of nouns (glad news), and names of persons are not among them.

Chapter 2

Some basic features of word-groups

2.1 Lexical valency

Words put together to form lexical units make up phrases or word-groups. It is an indisputable fact that words are used in certain lexical contests - in combination with other words. The noun question is often combined with such adjectives as vital, pressing, urgent, disputable, delicate, etc. This noun is a component of a number of other word-groups - to raise a question, a question of great importance, a question of the agenda, of the day, and many others. The aptness of a word to appear in different combinations is described as its lexical valency or collocability.  

Lexical valency of words is restricted. This can be seen in the selection of synonyms found in different word-groups. The verbs lift and raise are treated as synonyms but it is only the verb raise that is collocated with the noun question. The verbs take, catch, grasp are also treated as synonyms, but only take  is found in collocations with the nouns examination, measures, precautions, only catch  - in catch smb napping, only grasp in grasp the truth.

Words habitually collocated in speech are a cliché. The verb put forward and the noun question are habitually collocated and whenever we hear the verb put forward it is natural that we anticipate the noun question. So, put forward a question is a habitual word-group, a kind of cliché.

Lexical valency of correlated words in different languages is not identical. Both the English word flower and its Russian equivalent цветок may be combined with a number of words denoting the place where the flowers are grown - garden flowers (садовые цветы), hot-house flowers (оранжерейные цветы). But the English word flower cannot enter into combination with the word room (комнатные цветы - pot flowers).

It seems interesting to observe the interrelation of lexical valency and polysemy. The restrictions in lexical valency of words may be seen in following: the adjective heavy is combined with the words food, meals, supper in the meaning ‘rich and difficult to digest’. But one cannot say heavy cheese or heavy sausage implying that cheese or sausage is difficult to digest.

Different meanings of a word may be described through the lexical valency of a word. The different meanings of the adjective heavy may be described through the word-groups heavy weight (box, stone), heavy snow (storm, rain), heavy drinker (eater), heavy sleep (sorrow), heavy industry (tank) and so on.   

2.2 Grammatical valency

Words are used also in grammatical context. The minimal grammatical context in which words are used is described as the pattern of the word-group. For example, the adjective heavy can be followed by a noun (heavy storm) or by the infinitive of a verb (heavy to lift). The aptness of a word to appear in specific grammatical structures is called grammatical valency.

The grammatical valency of words even belonging to the same part of speech may be different. Two synonymous verbs suggest and propose can be followed by a noun (to propose or suggest a plan, a resolution). But only propose can be followed by the infinitive of a verb (to propose to do smth). The adjectives clever and intelligent have different grammatical valency as clever can be used in a word-groups having the pattern: Adjective + Preposition at + Noun (clever at mathematics). Intelligent can never be used in the same pattern.

Restrictions of grammatical valency of individual words can be observed by comparing equivalents in different languages. The English verb influence, for example, can be followed only by a noun (to influence a person, a decision, a choice). The grammatical valency of its Russian equivalent влиять is different. The Russian verb can be followed only by a prepositional group (влиять на человека, на решение, на выбор).  

Chapter 3

How to distinguish phraseological units from free word-groups

This is probably the most discussed problem in the field of phraseology. The task of distinguishing between free word-groups and phraseological units is complicated because of existence of a great number of margin cases, the so-called semi-fixed or semi-free word-groups, or non-phraseological word-groups. They share with phraseological units their structural stability but lack their semantic unity and figurativeness (to go to school, to go by bus, to commit suicide). 

There are two major criteria for distinguishing between phraseological units and free word-groups: semantic and structural.

Let’s compare the following:

A. I’m told they’re inviting more American professors to this university. Isn’t it rather carrying coals to Newcastle.  

(To carry coals to Newcastle means to take something to a place where it is already plentiful and not needed. В Тулу со своим самоваром).

        B. This cargo ship is carrying coal to Liverpool.

The semantic difference of the two word-groups is easily seen. In the second sentence the free word-group is carrying coal is used in the direct sense, the word coal standing for hard, black coal and carry for the plain process of taking something from one place to another. The first context has nothing to do with coal or with transporting it.

Academician V. V. Vinogradov spoke of the semantic change in phraseological units as “a meaning resulting from a peculiar chemical combination of words”. This seems a very apt comparison because in both cases between which the parallel is drawn an absolutely new quality comes into existence. Praseological units produce a new meaning. For example, to have a bee in one’s bonnet means to have obsession about something; to be eccentric or even a little mad. The humorous comparison with a person who is distracted by a bee has become forgotten, and the speakers hardly think of bees and bonnets but accept it in its transferred sense: “obsessed, eccentric”.  So, phraseological units are characterized by semantic unity. In the traditional approach, phraseological units have been defined as word-groups conveying a single notion. In free word-groups each component stands for a separate notion.

Most scholars accept the semantic criterion of distinguishing phraseological units from free word-groups as the major one. The definition of a phraseological unit was offered by Professor A. V. Koonin: “A phraseological unit is a stable word-group characterized by a completely or partially transferred meaning”.  The definition suggests that the degree of semantic change in a phraseological unit may vary (“completely or partially”). The semantic change may be found in the whole word-group or only in one component. The following phraseological units represent the first case: to skate on thin ice (  ≈ to take risks); to wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve

 (  ≈ to expose one’s most intimate feelings); to have one’s heart in one’s boots ( ≈ to be deeply depressed); to have one’s heart in one’s mouth ( ≈ to be greatly alarmed by what is expected to happen); to have one’s heart in the right place ( ≈ to be an honest and generous fellow); a crow in borrowed plumes ( ≈ a person pretentiously and unsuitably dressed / ворона в павлиньих перьях); a wolf in a sheep’s clothing ( ≈ a dangerous enemy who poses as a friend).

The second type is represented by phraseological units in which one of the components is used in a transferred meaning: to lose (keep) one’s temper; to fall ill; to fall in love; to stick to one’s word (to promise); to arrive at a conclusion; a small talk.

The term “idiom”, both in this country and abroad, is applied to phraseological units in which the meaning of the whole unit does not correspond to the current meanings of the components.

The structural criterion also shows distinctive features characterizing phraseological units and contrasting them to free word-groups.

Structural invariability is an essential feature of phraseological units (though some of them have it to a lesser degree than others).

As a rule, no word can be substituted for any component of a phraseological unit without destroying it. To carry coals to Manchester sounds as strange as В Харьков со своим самоваром.

The idiom to give somebody a cold shoulder means to treat somebody coldly, to ignore somebody, but a warm shoulder or a cold elbow make no sense.

At the same time, in free word-groups substitution does not present any danger. In The cargo ship is carrying coal to Liverpool all the components can be varied: The ship (vessel, boat) carries (transports, takes, brings) coal to (any port).

Any additional components can be introduced into the structure of a phraseological unit. Grammatical invariability is also the feature of phraseological units. One should use to find fault not to find faults, from head to foot not from head to feet. Though there are but very few exceptions: I’m sure they have skeletons in every cupboard! or the blackest sheep of the family.

Chapter 4

Proverbs

It seems logical to start with a look at some proverbs:

We never know the value of water till the well is dry.

You can take the horse to the water, but you cannot make him drink.

Those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.

These few examples show that proverbs are different from those phraseological units which have been discussed above. The first distinctive feature that strikes one is the obvious structural dissimilarity. Phraseological units are a kind of ready-made blocks which fit into the structure of a sentence performing a certain syntactical function, more or less as words do. For example, George liked her for she never put on airs (predicate); big bugs like him care nothing about small fry like ourselves (subject, prepositional object).

Proverbs, if viewed in their structural aspect, are sentences, and so cannot be used in the same way as phraseological units. Proverbs could be best compared with mini-fables because they sum up the collective experience of the community. They moralize (Hell is paved with good intentions), give advice (Don’t judge a tree by its bark), give warning (if you sing before breakfast, you will cry before night), admonish (Liars should have good memories), criticize (Everyone calls his own geese swans). No phraseological unit ever does any of these things. The function of proverbs in speech is communicative, they impart certain information.

The question of whether or not proverbs should be regarded as a subtype of phraseological units is controversial.

Professor Koonin includes proverbs in his classification of phraseological units and labels them communicative phraseological units.

Chapter 5

Principles of classifications

The English and the Americans can be proud of a very rich set of dictionaries of word-groups and idiomatic phrases. Their object is mainly practical: colloquial phrases are considered an important characteristic feature of natural spoken English and a stumbling block for foreigners. The choice of entry is not clear-cut: dictionaries include word combinations, separate words, greetings, proverbs, quotations.  

The traditional and oldest principle of classification of phraseological units is “thematic” (L. P. Smith). On this principle, idioms are classified according to their sources of origin - sphere of human activity, life of nature. L. P. Smith gives groups of idioms used by sailors, fishermen, soldiers, hunters or in other words idioms associated with their occupation. In his classification one can find idioms associated with domestic and wild animals, agriculture, cooking, sports, arts and so on.  L. P. Smith points out that idioms associated with the sea and the life of seamen are especially numerous in English vocabulary. Here are some examples.

To be all at sea - to be unable to understand (I’m afraid I’m all at sea in this problem).

To sink or swim - to fail or succeed (Now it is to sink or swim. All depends on one’s efforts).

In low waters, on the rocks - to have financial problems.

To be in the same boat with somebody - to share the same difficulties and dangers.

To weather the storm -  to overcome difficulties.

The thematic principle of classification of phraseological units is interesting but it does not take into consideration the linguistic characteristic features of phraseological units.

Academician V. V. Vinogradov offered the classification system based on the semantic principles. He classified phraseological units into three categories:

1. Phraseological fusions are word-groups with a completely changed meaning. Their meaning cannot be guessed from the meanings of separate words (tit for tat), to come a cropper).

2. Praseological unities are word-groups with completely changed meaning. But the meaning of the unit can be understood from the parts of the unit (to lose one’s head,  to lose one’s heart, to lock the stable door after the horse is stolen, to look a given horse in the mouth).

3. Phraseological combinations are word-groups with partially changed meaning (to be a good hand at something, to take something for granted,  gospel truth, bosom friend).

It is clear that this classification system does not take into account the structural characteristics of phraseological units.

N. N. Amosova’s approach is contextological. She defines phraseological units as units of fixed context. Units of fixed context are subdivided into phrasemes and idioms.

One of the most prominent contributions into classification of phraseological units was made by Professor Koonin. His classification is based on the combined  structural-semantic principle and also considers the level of stability of phraseological units.

Semantically, the set expressions are divided into three categories, which are called

1. paraseological units, or idioms,
2. semi-idioms,
3. and phraseomatic units.

Phraseological units are structurally separable language units with completely or partially transferred meanings. Semi-idioms have both literal and transferred meanings. The first meaning is usually terminological or professional and the second one is transferred. Phraseomatic units have literal or phraseomatically bound meanings.

The various types of set expressions may be classified as follows:

I.        Phraseological units, or idioms, of the following types

1).   substantive:

1. one's  (or the)   ace of trumps (козырной туз) - главный козырь, веский аргумент
2. black diamonds - «черное золото», каменный уголь 
3. a hand -to- mouth existence - полуголодное существование
4. a smart Aleck - наглец, нахал
5. a dark horse - «темная лошадка», подозрительный человек

     2). adjectival:

1. dead and buried - «умер и погребен», нет в живых
2. more dead than alive - полуживой, смертельно уставший   
3. quick on the trigger - быстро реагирующий, стремительный, вспыльчивый
4. (as) pretty as a picture - очаровательная, хороша как картинка

3). adverbial:

1. at  last - наконец-то
2. by leaps and bounds - очень быстро, стремительно; ≈ семимильными шагами, не по дням,  а по часам
3. as the devil - чрезвычайно, ужасно, чертовски 
4. lock, stock and barrel - полностью, целиком, от начала до конца
5. as quick as a flash - быстрый, стремительный

4). verbal:

1. blow hot and cold, - колебаться, менять свое мнение, занимать двойственную позицию
2. catch a shadow and let go a substance ≈ в погоне за нереальным упустить реальное
3. kick the bucket - умереть, загнуться, окочуриться
4. kill two birds with one stone - убить двух зайцев одним выстрелом

5). prepositional:

1. in the face of smth. - перед лицом чего-л, под угрозой
2. in (the) light of smth. - в свете чего-л, учитывая что-л

6). interjectional:

1. by George! - клянусь святым Георгием! Ей-богу!  
2. hear, hear! - правильно! правильно!

7) parenthetical:

3. after all - в конце концов

1. as a matter of fact - по сути дела 
2. in any case - в любом случае 
3. in a(or one) word - короче говоря, одним словом 
4. so to say - так сказать 

8). with antecedents and temporal or attributive subordinate clauses:

1. fiddle while Rome is burning - развлекаться во время народного бедствия, заниматься пустяками перед лицом опасности
2. a hair of the dog that bit one - вино для опохмелки

9). with a complete sentence structure
 a). sayings:  

1. all one's geese are swans ≈ всяк кулик свое болото хвалит 
2. the answer's a lemon -  ≈ дудки! Держи карман шире!
3. does your mother know you're out? - ≈ у тебя молоко на губах не обсохло

b). proverbs:

1. birds of a feather flock together - ≈ рыбак рыбака видит из далека
2. every cloud has a (or its) silver lining - есть у тучки светлая подкладка; ≈ нет худа без добра

     II.  Semi-idioms, for example:

1. chain reaction (term in physics and figurative expression) - цепная реакция
2. lay down one's arms (military term and figurative expression) - сложить оружие, сдаться, сложить руки

    III.  Phraseomatic units are of the following types:

     1). phrases in which one of the com ponents is uniquely combined:

1. fetch (go) a compass - идти окружным путем, делать крюк
2. a confidence game (trick) - получение денег обманным путем, надувательство

2). phrases with a restrictive meaning:

1. another place - «другая палата» (о парламенте)
   in a hurry - легко, просто, охотно, скоро

3). non-figurative clichés:

2. again and again - снова и снова, то и дело
3. the  beginning  of   the  end - начало конца
4. safe   and   sound - в целости и сохранности 

4). preposition-noun combinations with literal meanings:

1. at (the) best - в лучшем случае

1. at (the) most - самое большое, не больше чем, от силы

     5). terminological combinations that have become part of literary usage:                                                                                        civil list - цивильный лист

general ticket, - общий список (избирательный бюллетень с кандидатами от штата или города)

6). phrases with phraseomatically bound meanings:

1. pay attention - обращать внимание 

Chapter 6

Translation

Can dictionaries help students to understand the meaning of a set expression, its imagery and sphere of usage? Yes, they can. But it is not as easy as may seem. The meaning of some set expressions can be easily understood from the context or because there are Russian expressions coinciding with the English in meaning and imagery (as cold as ice холодный как лед; the salt of the earth соль земли). But inexperienced students can face a lot of problems working with phraseological dictionary in attempt to find out the meaning of this or that set expression. What can help is a clear idea of the principles of selec tion and presentation of set expressions for a dictio nary, and also its structure.

In two-language phraseological dictionaries all the English set expressions and the examples illus trating their meanings are with translations into Russian. For the sake of maximum fidelity various types of translation are used:

1. Equivalent, i.e., a Russian expression coinciding with the English in meaning and in imagery, e. g., as cold as ice- холодный как лёд; Augean stable(s) - авгиевы конюш ни; the salt of the earth - соль земли; swallow the pill - проглотить (горькую) пилюлю.

2. Analogue, i. e., a Russian set expression that is equivalent to the English in meaning but differs completely or partially in its imagery. In this case a symbol of approximate equivalence is placed before the Russian analogue, e. g., a drop in the bucket ≈  капля в море; a fly in the ointment ≈ ложка дёгтя s бочке мёда.

3. Descriptive translation, i. е., translation by convey ing the meaning of the English expression with a free word combination. Descriptive translations are used when no equivalent or analogue is available in Russian, e.g., ac cept the Chiltern Hundreds (парл.) слагать с себя полно мочия члена парламента; cross the floor of the house (парл.) перейти из одной партии в другую.

3. Antonymic translation, i.e., conveying the meaning of a negative construction by means of a positive construc tion or vice versa, e.g., don't count your chickens before they are hatched посл, ≈  цыплят по осени считают; hold cheap не дорожить; keep one's head не терять головы.

4. Calque, or loan translation. This method is used when the author wishes to stress the imagery used in the Eng lish expression or when the expression cannot be rendered in any other way, e. g., promises are like piecrust, made to be broken поcл, «обещания что корка от пирога: их на то и пекут, чтобы ломать потом», the moon is not seen when the sun shines посл, «когда светит солнце, луны не видно».

6. Combined   translation.   In   cases   when the   Russian analogue does not fully convey the meaning of the Eng lish expression or has a different specific colouring of place or time, the dictionary gives a loan translation, followed by a descriptive rendering and the Russian analogue for com parison, e. g., carry coals to Newcastle «возить уголь в Ньюкасл», т. е. возить что-л. туда, где этого и так до  статочно   (ср.   ехать в  Тулу со своим самоваром);  he must needs go whom the devil drives  (also needs must when  the devil  drives)   посл,  «приходится идти,  когда черт гонит»;  т. е. чего не сделаешь, когда нужда заста вит; ≈ против рожна не попрёшь, плетью обуха не пе решибёшь.

Conclusion

In the conclusion it should be noted that a special attention should be paid to phraseology. Set expressions are widely used by native speakers which makes their speech emotionally coloured and natural.  English phraseology is a huge and complicated mixture of set expressions of different types and styles. So my first step into the mystery of English phraseology has been made.

Bibliography

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4. А. В. Кунин. Фразеология современного английского языка. М. 1970.

5. V. H. Collins a Book of English Idioms with Explanations. Ldn., 1958.

 6. Инна Бельская, Наталья Навицкая. Иллюстрированный русско-английский словарь. «Белфаксиздатгрупп», 2004

Supplement 1

In the supplement an attempt has been made to present phraseological units containing most frequently used words, the words well know to every student interested in English and different ways of translation as well as examples having been taken from different sources.  

1. as easy as ABC  легче легкого, проще простого

‘It’s as easy, as ABC.’ said the old man indignantly. (C. Chaplin, ‘’The Watchers and the Watched’)

- Это ведь азбучная истина, - оскорблено сказал старик.  

2. abundance of one’s heart избыток чувств

My thoughts on that matter are from the abundance of my heart. (Th. De Quincey, ‘Letters to a young man’)

Эти мои мысли появились, когда сердце было переполнено чувствами.

3. accidents will happen in the best-regulated families неприятности бывают в самых лучших домах,  скандал в благородном семействе, в семье не без урода

‘My dear friend Copperfield,’ said Mr. Micauber, ‘accidents will happen in the best-regulated families…’ (Ch. Dickens, ‘David Copperfield’)

- Друг мой Копперфильд, - сказал мистер Микобер, - неприятности бывают в самых лучших домах…

4. according to all accounts по общему мнению, как все считают

‘Ah!’ cried another voice…Davis was a man, too, by all accounts’ (R. L. Stevenson, ‘Treasure Island’)

-Эх, - услышал я…Дэвис, как все считают, был не хуже.

5. actions speak louder than words  о человеке судят по делам; не по словам судят, а по делам

Actions speak louder than words and the Blackpool workers have now been rewarded…(‘Daily Worker’)

Блэкпульские рабочие были вознаграждены…Не словам верь, а делам.

6. add fuel to the fire  подлить масла в огонь 

One of the first fruits of this early offensive by the planters was seizure of Texas from Mexico. This added further fuel to the already blazing fire… (W. Foster, ‘The Negro People in American History’)

Одним из разных плодов раннего периода наступления плантаторов было отторжение Техаса от Мексики, что подлило масла в огонь …  

7. good advice is beyond price  доброму совету цены нет

8. afternoon of life закат жизни; на склоне лет 

In the afternoon of life, when his powers began to fail, he turned to an easier field of endeavour.

На склоне лет, когда силы были уже не те, он стал заниматься более легкой работой. 

9. a green old age счастливая, бодрая старость

Ladies and gentlemen, - May we all live to green old age and be prosperous and happy. (M. Twain, ‘The Innocents Abroad’’)

Леди и джентльмены, хочется пожелать нам всем благополучия, процветания и счастливой старости.

10. be in the air быть в неопределенном положении; ≈ быть в воздухе

‘Are you going abroad this winter?’ ‘I hope so, but everything’s in the air at present’ (SPI)

-Вы уезжаете за границу этой зимой?

-Надеюсь уехать, но пока все так неопределенно. 

11. smart Aleck  самоуверенный наглец, нахал, развязный субъект

‘Now who would do it but that little Frinchley snip, the little smart aleck?’ snapped Gilbert. (Th. Dreiser, ‘An American Tragedy’)

-Конечно, эта маленькая зазнайка Финчли. Кто же еще мог так поступить, - фыркнул Гилберт.

12. all for nothing  все напрасно, все  пустую

You’ve been trying so hard to make me angry and all for nothing

Вы так старались рассердить меня, и все напрасно.

13. all the go последний крик моды, предмет поголовного увлечения

Has your father got a grey top hat? No? Oh! But he simply must wear one; they’re all the go this year. (J.Galsworthy, ‘Swan Song’)

У папы есть серый цилиндр? Нет? О! Папе просто необходим такой цилиндр. Ведь они теперь в моде.

14. and all that и (все такое) прочее, в том же духе; как говорится. Что называется

‘We may be divorced and all that’, Laura went on rapidly, ‘but there’s no one in the whole world I’m fonder of. You know that.’ (I. Show, ‘The Young Lions’)  

15. be (go) all out всячески стараться. Не жалеть сил; ≈ из кожи вон лезть

He made up his mind to go “all out” for his uncle’s slum-conversion scheme. (J.Galsworthy, Swan Song’)

Он решил не жалеть сил для осуществления планов дяди Хилари по перестройке трущоб.

16. allow free  (full) play to smb (give free play) дать возможность развернуться, дать волю чему-л.

She allowed full play to her sense of the ridiculous.

15. the new arrival новорожденный

‘Welcome to the new arrival’ repeated Joe. They drank their whiskey neat and without another word or a signal they hurled the glasses into the fireplace. (J/ O’Hara, ‘Ten North Frederick’)

-Приветствуем новорожденного. - повторил Джо. Они выпили неразбавленное виски и, не сговариваясь, швырнули стаканы в камин.

16. discover America открыть Америку, говорить, объявлять о том, что всем давно известно

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, with all the air of someone discovering America in the year 1963, announced that the Tories had not “obtained the allegiance” of the young generation of voters. (‘Daily Worker)

Канцлер казначейства, с видом человека, открывшего Америку, в середине XX века, заявил, что тори «не привлекали на свою сторону» молодых избирателей.   

17. join the angels ≈ отправиться в лучший мир, умереть

I shall continue to write until the time comes to join the angels. ( M. Twain, ‘Speeches’)

Я буду продолжать писать до тех пор, пока не отправлюсь в лучший мир.

18. appetite comes with eating аппетит приходит во время еды 

But as more states get into the act - well, as the French say, appetite comes with eating. Those who have, want more, and those who have not, try to get from those who have (‘The Nation’)

19. have a long arm «иметь длинные руки» настигать всюду

The Republic has a long arm; If she thought fit, it would not be hard to find needy Garson who for a few ducats would drive a dagger into your back. (W. S. Maugham, ‘Then and Now’)

У Флорентийской республики длинные руки. Если понадобится, то найдется обедневший гасконец, который за несколько дукатов вонзит вам кинжал в спину.

20. empty (pour, throw) the baby out (away) with bath (-water) вместе с водой выплеснуть и ребенка, вместе с ненужным отбросить главное

We shall… empty the baby out with the baby by abolishing an institution which needs nothing more than a little rationalizing to make it… useful. (B. Show, ‘Getting Married’)

Мы… вместе с водой выплеснем и ребенка, если отменим институт брака, а он весьма полезен, надо лишь несколько улучшить его.   

21. play the baby ребячиться, дурачиться

She was always playing the baby to get out of trouble

Она всегда прикидывалась младенцем, когда нужно было выпутаться из беды.

22. as soon as (when, while) one’s back is turned за спиной кого-л., в чье-то отсутствие

As soon as his back was back was turned the air felt lighter. (S. Butter, ‘The Way of All Flesh’)

Стоило ему уйти из дома, как становилось легче дышать. 

23. be glad to see smb’s back (the back of smb’s) радоваться от избавления от кого-л.

Most likely, he went away, she had been glad to se the back of him… (A. Sillitoe, ‘Saturday night and Sunday morning’)

          24. go to bad from to worth становиться все хуже и хуже, ухудшаться; ≈ из огня да в полымя  

No reference was made to the scene. But from then on things went from bad to worse. (W. S. Maugham, ‘A Woman of Fifty’)

Об этом инциденте они старались не вспоминать. Но с тех пор дела пошли из рук вон плохо.

25. empty the bag высказаться, выложить все начистоту

And don’t think I’m not emptying the bag for you. I’m giving you all I’ve got so far, Major. (J. B. Priestley, ‘Out of town’)

Поверьте, я вам все начистоту выкладываю. Я привел все известные мне факты, майор.    

26. lose one’s balance выйти из себя, потерять душевное равновесие

He had lost his balance so completely that she was prepared for any rashness. (W. S. Maugham, ‘ The Magician’) 

27. one-armed bandit «однорукий бандит», автомат для азартных игр

Watch your pockets, folks… the one-armed bandits are pouring into Britain’s seaside resorts (‘Daily Mirror’)

Люди, берегите карманы… Английские морские курорты переполнены «однорукими бандитами». 

28. a bee in one’s bonnet причуда; навязчивая идея, мания; заскок, «пунктик»  

Diana’s been talking about New York again, about going there to live. She can’t be serious but you know how she is once. She gets a bee in her bonnet. (G. Vidal, ‘Washington D. C.)

Диана снова говорила о Нью-Йорке, о том, что собирается переехать туда. Вряд ли она говорила об этом серьезно. Но ведь ты ее знаешь. Если она села на своего конька, пиши пропало.

29. kill two birds with one stone  ≈ убить двух зайцев одним выстрелом.

So I watched my step as to try to kill the two birds with one stone. (H. Pollitt, ‘Serving My Time’)

 Поэтому я взвешивал каждый свой шаг и действовал таким образом, чтобы одним выстрелом двух зайцев убить.  

30. blood is thicker than water кровь не вода ≈ свой своему поневоле брат

Relatives are awful… they have the monstrous impudence to pretend that you ought to love them. “Blood is thicker than water”, they say sententiously. (R. Aldington, ‘Death of a Hero’)   

31. bag of bones (skin and bones, bones) истощенный, изможденный человек, «скелет»

There, get downstairs, little bag of bones (Ch. Dickens ‘Oliver Twist’)

Эй, спускайся вниз, заморыш.   

32. a mummy’s boy (mother’s boy) любимец матери, любимчик, маменькин сынок

She a year older than Lanny, and took a maternal attitude towards him which he liked, being a mother’s boy. (U. Sinclair, ‘World’s End) 

Она была годом старше Лани и относилась к нему по-матерински, что ему очень нравилось, ведь он был у матери любимцем.

33. take the bull by the horns действовать решительно, напрямик; мужественно преодолевать затруднения; ≈ брать быка за рога.

‘See here,’ he explained, looking sharply at the musician and deciding to take the bull by the horns, ‘you are in a quite as delicate situation as I am, if you only stop to think.’ (Th. Deriser, ‘The Titan’)

- Послушайте, - вдруг воскликнул он, смотря в упор на музыканта и решив действовать напрямик, - если вы дадите себе труд подумать, то поймете, что находитесь в таком же щекотливом положении, как и я.  

34. a cat with nine lives живучий человек, живуч как кошка

35. let the cat out of the bag (let the cat out) проболтаться, проговориться, выдать секрет

Her father kissed her when she left him, with lips which she was sure had trembled… From the warmth of her embrace he probably divined that he had let the cat out of the bag, for he rode off at once on irony. (J Galsworthy, ‘To Let’)

Отец поцеловал ее на прощанье, и она отчетливо ощутила, что губы его дрожат… Ее горячий поцелуй дал ему понять, что он выдал себя, и он тотчас перешел опять на иронию.     

36. a clean sheet безупречная репутация, незапятнанная репутация;  ≈ чист как стеклышко

I have never had a cleaner sheet than I’ve had the last two years. And if I can prove these people are throwing mud, they’ll find it a more expensive game than snooker. ( C. P. Snow, ‘The Conscience of the rich’)

Последние два года моя репутация была чиста. Если мне удастся доказать, что эти люди поливают меня грязью, то это окажется им дороже, чем играть в снукер.

37. the cock of the school первый драчун в школе, заводила

He was the cock of the school out of doors, and the very last boy in. (W. Thackeray)  

38. the cream of joke (of the story) соль шутки (рассказа)

Don’t be so impatient. I haven’t come to the cream of the joke yet.

Не будьте так нетерпеливы. Вся соль шутки еще впереди.

39. I’ll eat my boots (head) ≈ даю голову на отсечение, как пить дать, не я буду, если…

That date was written with a fountain pen or I’ll eat my boots. (A. Christie, ‘The murder at the Vicarage’)

Даю голову на отсечение, что эта дата была написана автоматической ручкой.

40. to be within one’s depth быть в состоянии справиться с чем-л.; ≈ по плечу

As a rule I am not good at mathematics but that type of problem is within my depth. (DEI)

Вообще -то в математике я не силен, но эта задача мне по плечу.

41. the black dog is on one’s back (have a black dog on one’s back) хандрить, находиться в состоянии унынии, меланхолии 

42. have (got) long ears быть любопытным

They’ve got long ears, some of these chaps, and they’re not so silly as they look. (J. Priestley, ‘Faraway’)

Кое-кто любит подслушивать чужие разговоры.  Эти люди не глупы, как может показаться. 

43. one’s ears are singing звенит в ушах

44. good egg славный, милый человек, молодчина

… this is my nephew, emphatically a “good egg” as you say. (J. Galsworthy, ‘Maid in Waiting’)

… мой племянник, он, как говорится, парень хоть куда.

45. a walking encyclopedia «ходячая энциклопедия», эрудированный человек

She was a walking encyclopedia, not only of literature but of Moscow and…

Она - ходячая энциклопедия не только в вопросах литературы, но и в том, что касается Москвы и…

46. example is better than precept пример лучше наставления   

47. feel empty  чувствовать, испытывать голод

He stood there… his stomach feeling empty…

Он стоял там… голодный как волк.

48. the great fish eat up the small «большая рыба поедает мелкую рыбешку»; ≈ кто сильнее, тот и прав; у сильного всегда бессильный виноват

49. friends are thieves of time ≈ никто не отнимает столько времени, сколько друзья; вор крадет деньги, а друг - время.

50. by George! Клянусь святым Георгием! Ей-богу! Честное слово

I didn’t get to bed till three and I don’t know how I got there then. By George! I was squiffy. (W. S. Maugham, ‘Of Human Bondage’)    

51. do smth by halves делать что-л  на половину, кое-как

Now gentlemen I am not a man who does things by halves. (Ch. Dickens, ‘The Old Curiosity Shop’)

Должен вам сказать, джентльмены, что я не из тех, кто останавливается на полпути.

52. eat out of smb’s hand безоговорочно подчиняться; ≈ плясать под чужую дудку

‘Go on to your work’ he ordered…  I’ll have you eatin’ out of my hand… (J. London, ‘The Mutiny of the Elsonore’)

-Марш на работу! - приказал он - Я заставлю тебя плясать под мою дудку…

53. lose one’s head  потерять голову, растеряться

And this girl was French, not likely to lose her head… (J. Galsworthy, ‘In Chancery’)

Девушка была француженка, не склонная терять голову…

54. one’s heart is broken ≈ сердце разбито (горем) 

55. be (skate) on thin ice «скользить по тонкому льду», быть на гране опасности

Look at the chaps in politics and business, whose lives were passed in skating on thin ice… (J. Galsworthy, “The White Monkey’)

Толь взгляните на всех этих политиков и дельцов, которые всю жизнь ходят по тонкому льду…

56. lay smb to rest похоронить кого-то

He was real man… the man we laid to rest today! (D. Carter, ‘Fatherless Sons’)

Он был настоящим человеком… тот, которого мы похоронили сегодня.   

57. hold at arm’s length держать кого-л на почтительном расстоянии

Silly of you to keep me at arm’s length. I haven’t got anything on you…( W. S. Maugham, ‘The Lion’s Skin)

Зря вы так сторонитесь меня. Не имею ничего дурного против вас…

58. teach (smb) a lesson преподать урок

… the war has taught a lesson which will not soon be forgotten. (J. Galsworthy, ‘The Land’)

59. like a log неподвижно, как бревно

I must have been a pitiful object. I just lay there like a log… (J. Conrad, ‘Lord Jim’)   

Должно быть, вид у меня был плачевный. Я лежал неподвижно, как бревно.

60. bark at the moon «лаять на луну», попусту тратить время

I have never been in so many troubles. I am barking at the moon. (C. P. Snow, ‘Strangers and Brothers’)

Никогда не был в таком плачевном состоянии. Только попусту трачу время.

 61.  give mouth to smth выразить словами, вслух.

I have an pinion of you, sir, to which it is not easy to give mouth. (Ch. Dickens, ‘Our Mutual Friend’)

Мое мнение о вас, сэр, трудно выразить словами.

62. keep one’s nose out of smth не вмешиваться. Не совать нос не в свои дела

‘You keep your nose out of my business,’ Ruth said bravely… (V. Dickens, ‘The heart of London’)

- Не суйте нос в наши дела. Решительно сказала Рут…   

63. odds and ends всякая всячина, остатки

… and I said we’d just eat up the odds and ends. (W. S. Maugham, ‘Mrs. Craddock’)

…я  сказала, что мы поедим то, что осталось от вчерашнего ужина.

64. oil smb’s hand дать взятку, «подмазать»

I ought to be able to get a deed recorded without anyone knowing it if I oil Charley’s hand…(Sh. Anderson ‘Poor White’)

Я смогу оформить дело так, что никто не узнает об этом. Нужно только подмазать Чарли.

65. crash a party явиться без приглашения

I turned off the highway… but with shyness as if I crashed a party. (J. Steinbeck, ‘Travels with Charley’)

Я свернул с шоссе… робея и чувствуя себя незваным гостем…   

66. a hen party девичник

‘It makes it so dull for Violet if we only have a hen party…’ (Ch. Dickens ‘The Happy Prisoner’)

«Виолет будет скучно в женской компании…»

67. a piece of cake легкое дело. Сущие пустяки

A piece of cake. He had it all the way. (E. O’Conner, ‘All in the Family’)

Пустяки. Ему не составляло труда победить

68. be in the red быть в долгу

… believe me, we’re pretty well in the red. (P. H. Johnson, ‘The Humbler Creation’)

… поверьте мне, мы влезли в долги. 

69. right up and down честно, прямо

He asked me right up and down if I wouldn’t do the same if I were in his position.

Он прямо спросил меня, поступил бы я таким же образом, если бы был на его месте. 

70. under the rose по секрету, тайком

Do what you like under the rose, but don’t give a sign of what you’re about… (Ch. Dickens, ‘Hard Times’)

Делайте все потихоньку, но не обнаруживайте себя.

71. the devil’s own time чертовски трудное время

He had the devil’s own time with tallow fever.

Он пережил чертовски трудное время, когда заболел желтой лихорадкой

72. traveler’s tales охотничьи рассказы, небылицы

73. walk smb off his feet сильно утомить, замучить ходьбой, прогулкой

74. in words of one syllable просто и ясно; короче говоря

He has had a bit too much: in words of one syllable, he’s drunk

Он хватил лишнего, одним словом, напился

75. mark my words! помяните мое слово!, попомните мои слова!

Mark my words… that girl is with the gang. (E. Wallace, ‘ The Crimson Circle’)

Попомните мои слова: эта девчонка - член шайки.

76. a bad workman finds fault with his tools у плохого мастера всегда инструмент виноват; ≈ мастер глуп - нож туп

77. wish smb ill желать кому-л неудачи; недоброжелательно относиться к кому-л

78. put smb in his place проставить кого-л на место; не давать кому-л зазнаваться, задирать нос

79. consult with one’s pillow отложить до утра; ≈ утро вечера мудренее

He frequently consulted with his pillow to know how to behave himself on such important occasions.

Он часто откладывал до утра решение таких вопросов.

80. pin one’s hopes on smb возлагать надежды на кого-л, всецело полагаться на кого-л

There was a lad you could pin your hopes to. (T. O’Conner, ‘The Edge of Sadness’)

На этого парня можно было положиться.

81. a nice pair of shoes ≈ хорошенькое дело!, веселая история!

82. go into orbit «выйти на орбиту», добиться большого успеха

Our team has gone into orbit.

Наша команда довилась больших успехов.

83. come to smb’s notice обращать на себя чье-л внимание

It has come to my notice that you refuse to listen to reason of late.

Я заметил, что последнее время вы перестали внимать голосу разума.

84. like nothing on earth ни на что не похоже, ужасно, отвратительно

… Machiavelli… was feeling like nothing on earth and his voice was a croak. (W. S. Maugham, ‘Then and Now’)

… Макиавелли… чувствовал себя ужасно. Он совершенно охрип.

85. on the nose точно, правильно ≈ тютелька в тютельку

‘For a week in Boston? Ten bucks?’

‘On the nose.’ (J. O’Hara, ‘Assembly’)

- За неделю работы в Бостоне ты получил десять долларов?

- Точно.

86. nature will have its course природа возьмет свое

87. second nature вторая натура

To turn to Hilary was second nature with him - and, surely such a task two heads were better than one! (J. Galsworthy, ‘Maid in Waiting’)

Он привык обращаться к Хилари в трудную минуту, да и вообще в такую минуту ум хорошо, а два лучше.

88. lost in mystery окутанный тайной, покрытый мраком неизвестности

Linda Carrol had been lost in mystery from the start. (E. S. Gardener, ‘The Case of the Musical Cow’)

89. Mr. Bid «Большой босс», воротила преступного мира, «шишка»

90. keep your mouth shut and eyes open ≈ меньше говори, больше слушай  

91. once in a blue moon ≈ раз в год по обещанию

If she had learned suggestive forms of dancing, she danced them but once in a blue moon. (J. Galsworthy ‘The Silver Spoon’)

Она умела танцевать не совсем скромные танцы, но показывала свое умение раз в год по обещанию.

92. to have nothing upstairs без царя в голове

93. a top banana важная птица

94. a coach potato лежебока

95. to look as if butter wouldn’t melt in one’s mouth ≈ прикидываться невинной овечкой

96. to be in smb’s shoes ≈ быть в чьей-то шкуре

97. when three Sundays come together ≈ после дождичка в четверг

98. to see which way the cat jumps ≈ ждать от куда ветер подует (занимать выжидательную позицию)

99. when pigs begin to fly ≈ когда рак на горе свиснет

100. to get it strong and hot ≈ получить по первое число

Supplement 2

The meaning of some set expressions can be easily understood from the context or because there are Russian expressions coinciding with the English in meaning and imagery (as cold as ice холодный как лед; the salt of the earth соль земли).

 People of different cultures gain the same experience in the course of life. They experience the same feelings: pride, envy, love, respect, contempt, blame and others. They express and pass from generation to generation their attitudes to human nature: to honesty, devotion, bravery, wisdom, as well as to betrayal, greediness, meanness, cruelty, cowardice and the like. Naturally, these feelings and attitudes are reflected in language in the form of sayings, proverbs, set expressions, idioms.

It’s common knowledge that people of different cultures see the world differently. But still as people have quite a lot of similar feelings and attitudes so there are things which cause very similar associations. Perhaps this is the main reason for existence of set expressions coinciding in meaning, structure and imagery (fully or partially) in different languages.

1. from A to Z с самого начала до самого конца ≈ от А до Я

2. affair of honour дело чести

3.golden age золотой век, период расцвета

4. discover America открыть Америку, говорить о том, что давно известно

5. fallen angel падший ангел

6. like an angel как ангел

7. anger is a short madness гнев - это кратковременное безумие

8. appetite comes with eating аппетит приходит во время еды

9. Adam’s apple адамово яблоко, кадык

10. arm in arm рука об руку, в тесном содружестве

11. the arm of law рука правосудия

12. have a long arm иметь длинные руки, настигать повсюду

13. lay down arms сложить оружие, сдаться

14. rise from the ashes подняться из пепла, обновляться

15. attack is the best method of defense нападение - лучший способ защиты

16.choose a book as you choose a friend выбирай книгу, как выбираешь друга  

17. pour the baby out with the bath-water вместе с водой выплеснуть и ребенка, вместе с ненужным отбросить и главное

18. behind smd’s back за чьей-л спиной, тайком, за глаза

19. bald as a coot лысый как коленка

20. round as a ball круглый как шар

21. one-armed bandit однорукий бандит, автомат для азартных игр

22. sit on a barrel of gun-powder сидеть как на пороховой бочке, ≈ жить как на вулкане

23. the bath of blood кровавая баня, резня

24. beam in one’s eye бревно в глазу, собственный недостаток

25. laugh in one’s beard ≈ ухмыляться в усы, украдкой, исподтишка

26. sell the bearskin before one has caught the bear ≈ делить шкуру неубитого медведя

27. beauty and the beast красавица и чудовище, интересная женщина и некрасивый мужчина

28. die in one’s bed умереть в собственной постели, умереть естественной смертью

29. get out of bed on the wrong side встать не с той ноги, быть в плохом настроении

30. a beggar can never be bankrupt бедняк никогда не обанкротится

31. the beginning of the end начало конца

32. the best is often the enemy of the good лучшее часто враг хорошего

33. if you cannot have the best, make the best of what you have если нет ничего лучшего, используй наилучшим образом то, что имеешь

34. better late than never лучше поздно, чем никогда

35. between ourselves между нами, говоря по секрету

36. a bird may be known by its song птицу видно по полету

37. eat like a bird ест как птичка, есть мало

38. if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch если слепой ведет слепого, оба свалятся в канаву

39. blood is thicker than water кровь не вода, свой своему поневоле брат

40. freeze smb’s blood ≈ кровь стынет (в жилах)

41. fresh blood свежая кровь, новые члены семьи, партии

42. hot blood горячая кровь, страстность, горячность, пылкость

43. make smb’s blood boil ≈ кровь закипела, кровь кипит в жилах, бешенство, ярость

44. skin and bones кожа и кости, истощенный, изможденный

45. be an open book быть открытой книгой, быть ясным, понятным

46. a mummy’s boy маменькин сынок

47. like taking candy from a baby все равно что отобрать конфету у ребенка (о низком, подлом поступке)

48. on the carpet ≈ (вызвать) на ковер, получить нагоняй, выговор

49. play cat and mouse with smb играть с кем-то в кошки-мышки

50. a child of nature дитя природы

51. be in the clouds витать в облаках, быть не от мира сего

52. all the colours of the rainbow все цвета радуги, разноцветный, многоцветный

53. cross smb’s path перейти кому-л дорогу, стать кому-л поперек дороги

54. talk to death заговорить кого-л до смерти

55. clean one’s ears «прочистить уши», слушать более внимательно

56. reach smb’s ears дойти до чьих-л ушей, стать известным

57. grin from ear to ear ≈ улыбаться от уха до уха

58. not to believe one’s ears не верить своим ушам

59. one’s ears are burning уши горят, кто-то вспоминает

60. come back to earth спуститься с небес, стать на реальную почву

61. a walking encyclopedia ходячая энциклопедия, эрудированный человек

62. better an open enemy than a false friend лучше явный враг, чем неверный друг

63. green with envy позеленевший от зависти

64. an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth око за око, зуб за зуб 

65. look in the eye смотреть в глаза (как признак правдивости, честности)

66. dump as fish нем как рыба 

67. flight of fancy полет фантазии

68. tear one’s hair рвать на себе волосы, быть в состоянии отчаяния

69. between hammer and anvil между молотом и наковальней 

70. at second hand из вторых рук, понаслышке

71. lay one’s hand on one’s heart (клясться) положа руку на сердце

72. eat like a horse ≈ ест как лошадь, иметь отменный аппетит

73. build one’s house upon the sand строить дом на песке

74. skate on thin ice скользить по тонкому льду, быть на гране опасности

75. teach a lesson преподать урок

75. between life and death между жизнью и смертью, быть в критическом состоянии (о здоровье)

76. bold as a lion храбрый как лев

77. live not to eat, but eat to live жить не для того, чтобы есть, а есть, чтобы жить

78. babe of love дитя любви, внебрачный ребенок

79. love is blind любовь слепа

80. marriages are made in heaven браки совершаются на небесах

81. tear the mask from сорвать маску, разоблачить

82. marry money жениться на деньгах

83. ask for the moon просить луну (с неба), требовать невозможного

84. make a name (for oneself) сделать себе имя, приобрести известность 

85. it is never too late to learn никогда не поздно учиться

86. no news (is) good news отсутствие новостей - хорошая новость

87. knock the nonsense out of smb выбить дурь из кого-л, учить уму-разуму

88. from under one’s very nose из-под самого носа

89. eat like a pig ≈ ест как свинья, с жадностью, чавкая

90. ask no questions, and you will be told no lies  не задавай вопросов и не услышишь лжи

91. redden to the roots of one’s hair покраснеть до корней волос

92. everything is good in its season все хорошо в свое время

93. both sides of the medal обе стороны медали

94. the other side of the medal  другая сторона медали

95. dead silence мертвая тишина

96. under the open sky под открытым небом

97. political suicide политическое самоубийство

98. throw off one’s mask сбросить маску, перестать притворяться

99. swim with tide плыть по течению, не менять ничего в жизни

100. buy time покупать время, получить возможность за плату выступить по радио, телевидению