The 13 Most Common Russian Idioms For Various Situations

Russia and its language aren’t only about the cold winters, Russian fairytales, and vodka.

This largest country in the world has much more than that to offer.

For Language learners, it means the beauty of Russian phrases and expressions, especially Russian idioms.

Idioms are an inevitable part of every language and also one more way to express your thoughts, opinions, or describe particular situations using non-typical words and phrases.

It is also one more way to enrich your Russian vocabulary, move forward in learning Russian, and one more thing Russian tutors can reveal as a sign of fluency.

So, here we've gathered the most common Russian idioms every Russian student should know, from beginners to advanced learners.

Let's dive in.

The 13 Most Common Russian Idioms

And now prepare yourself to get started with the 13 most common Russian idioms you can use in different situations and in front of Russian native speakers who will, undoubtedly, be very impressed with your Russian knowledge.

Без Труда не Вытащишь и Рыбку из Пруда = No Pain, No Gain

In English, if you say ' you won't pull a fish out of pond' it doesn't mean anything particular. But if you say 'no pain, no gain' then we all understand why you've uses this phrase and what it means.

In Russian however the phrase 'Без труда не вытащишь и рыбку из пруда' literally means that thing about a fish but it is used in situations when in English we say 'no pain, no gain.'

The idiom in both languages is used to explain that without effort you can't achieve anything. You have to work hard to get your goals.

Валять Дурака - Fool Around

When you fool around, doing nothing or simply don't take things seriously, in Russian you simply use the phrase 'Валять дурака.'

Взять Себя в Руки - To Pull Oneself Together

Usually, the idiom in one language doesn't necessarily use the same words in another language.

But in this particular case, if you translate this Russian idiom into English, you get almost the same meaning.

Besides this, in English, we can also use get it together, pull it together, get a grip, snap out of it and get our act together.

Делать Из Мухи Слона - To Exaggerate

When someone exaggerates or simply overreacts in some situations, in Russian, it can be expressed with this phrase.

Literally, it means that you are making an elephant out of a fly, meaning you make little and not so important things much bigger than they really are.

Как Рыба, Вытащенная из Воды - Like a Fish Taken Out of Water

Here's another common Russian idiom.

When you feel like you don't belong somewhere, you are out of that place or you are surrounded by unfamiliar people, you can use this phrase.

Когда Рак на Горе Свистнет - When Pigs Fly

This Russian idiom is used in cases when something will never happen.

In English, the equivalent that is commonly used for these situations is 'when hell freezes over.'

Не Гони Лошадей! = Don't Be in Such a Rush

The pronunciation of this Russian idiom is 'ne goni loshadyei ' and it literally can be translated as 'do not rush the horses'

As you may suppose by yourself, it is used in cases when you don't want to rush things or when someone tells you not to be in such a rush.

Руки не Доходят Сделат = I Have no Time

When you don't have time for something, you are busy or preoccupied, you simply use this Russian idiom.

Literally, it means 'my hands can't make it to a point where I can do it.'

Сесть в Лужу - To Embarrass Oneself

This idiom literally means 'to sit on a puddle.'

Of course, you won't sit on a puddle, or at least not intentionally but it can be a little embarrassing if you do.

The English equivalent is 'to egg to one's face.'

Смотреть Правде в Глаза = to Face the Truth

Literally, this idiom can be translated as ‘look the truth to the eyes' which means that you have to face something up, to face the truth, and to accept the consequences of someone's actions and acts.

In English, it is widely used 'to face the music' phrase, too.

Смотреть Сквозь Пальцы - Turn a Blind Rye

Apart from other idioms, this one is pretty clear. 'To turn a blind eye' or 'смотреть сквозь пальцы' means disregarding or ignoring something or someone.

It can be translated as 'to look through one's fingers.'

Шутки в Сторону - Seriously

Besides being idioms, this phrase is also one of the Russian slang, too.

In some situations, it can be translated as 'jokes aside' or 'all kidding aside.'

Так и Быть - So Be It

Pronounced 'tak i byt' is an expression similar to the English phrase as well, which means 'so be it.' It's similar to the common English phrase too. It is used to describe acceptance.

Final Thoughts

Knowing various Russian idioms helps enrich your vocabulary. It also makes you look fluent in the Russian native speakers' eyes.

When you learn to use it in proper situations, native speakers will, undoubtedly, be impressed and your Russian tutor will be so proud of you.

Besides some awesome Russian websites that can help you learn Russian fluently, speaking with real people closes the deal.

So, go ahead book a lesson with Russian tutors and check out if you've memorized and correctly pronounced all these amazing and fun idioms.