The time comes when schoolchildren begin to study what phraseological units are. Their study has become an integral part of the school curriculum. Knowledge of what phraseological units are and how they are used will be useful not only in the lessons of the Russian language and literature, but also in life. Figurative speech is a sign of at least a well-read person.
What is a phraseological unit?
Phraseologism - with a certain content of words, which in this combination have a different meaning than when these words are used separately. That is, a phraseological unit can be called a stable expression.
Phraseological turns in the Russian language are widely used. The linguist Vinogradov was engaged in the study of phraseological units, to a greater extent thanks to him they began to be widely used. AT foreign languages There are also phraseological units, only they are called idioms. Linguists are still arguing whether there is a difference between a phraseological unit and an idiom, but they have not yet found an exact answer.
The most popular are colloquial phraseological units. Examples of their use can be found below.
Signs of phraseological units
Phraseologisms have several important features and characteristics:
- Phraseologism is a ready language unit. This means that a person who uses it in his speech or writing retrieves this expression from memory, and does not invent it on the go.
- They have a permanent structure.
- You can always pick up a synonymous word for a phraseological unit (sometimes an antonym).
- Phraseologism is an expression that cannot consist of less than two words.
- Almost all phraseological units are expressive, they encourage the interlocutor or the reader to show vivid emotions.
Functions of phraseological units in Russian
Each phraseological unit has the same main function - to give speech brightness, liveliness, expressiveness and, of course, to express the author's attitude to something. In order to imagine how much speech becomes brighter when using phraseological units, imagine how a humorist or writer makes fun of someone using phraseological units. The speech becomes more interesting.
Styles of phraseological units
The classification of phraseological units according to style is their very important feature. In total, there are 4 main styles of set expressions: interstyle, bookish, colloquial and colloquial. Each phraseological unit belongs to one of these groups, depending on its meaning.
Colloquial phraseological units are the largest group of expressions. Some believe that interstyle and vernacular phraseological units should be included in the same group as colloquial ones. Then there are only two groups of set expressions: colloquial and bookish.
Differences between book and colloquial phraseological units
Each style of phraseological units differs from each other, and book and colloquial phraseological units demonstrate the most striking difference. Examples: not worth a penny and fool fool. The first set expression is bookish, because it can be used in any artwork, in a scientific and journalistic article, an official business conversation, etc. Whereas the expression " fool fool" widely used in conversations, but not in books.
Book phraseological units
Book phraseological units are set expressions that are much more often used in writing than in conversations. They are not characterized by pronounced aggression and negativity. Book phraseological units are widely used in journalism, scientific articles, fiction.
- During it means something that happened a long time ago. The expression is Old Slavonic, often used in literary works.
- pull the gimp- the value of a long process. In the old days, a long metal thread was called a gimp; it was pulled out with tongs from a metal wire. The thread was embroidered on velvet, it was a long and very painstaking work. So, pull the gimp It's a long and extremely boring job.
- Play with fire- to do something extremely dangerous, "to be on the cutting edge."
- Stay with your nose- to be left without something that you really wanted.
- Kazan orphan- this is a phraseological unit about a person who pretends to be a beggar or a patient, while having the goal of gaining a benefit.
- You can't ride a goat- so a long time ago they talked about girls who, on holidays, jesters and buffoons could not cheer in any way.
- Bring to clean water- expose in committing something impartial.
There are a lot of book phraseological units.
Interstyle phraseological turns
Interstyles are sometimes called neutral colloquial, because they are neutral from both a stylistic and an emotional point of view. Neutral colloquial and book phraseological units are confused, because interstyle ones are also not particularly emotionally colored. An important feature of interstyle turns is that they do not express human emotions.
- Not a drop means the complete absence of something.
- Play the role- somehow influence this or that event, become the cause of something.
There are not very many interstyle phraseological turns in the Russian language, but they are used in speech more often than others.
Colloquial phraseological turns
The most popular expressions are colloquial phraseological units. Examples of their use can be very diverse, from expressing emotions to describing a person. Colloquial phraseological units are perhaps the most expressive of all. There are so many of them that it is possible to give examples ad infinitum. Colloquial phraseological units (examples) are listed below. Some of them may sound different, but at the same time have a similar meaning (that is, be synonymous). And other expressions, on the contrary, contain the same word, but are bright antonyms.
Synonymous colloquial phraseological units, examples:
- All without exception, the meaning of generalization: all as one; both old and young; from small to large.
- Very fast: in an instant; did not have time to look back; in a moment; couldn't blink an eye.
- Work diligently and diligently: tirelessly; up to the seventh sweat; roll up your sleeves; in the sweat of your face.
- Proximity value: in two steps; be at your side; hand over.
- Run Fast: headlong; what is strength; at full speed; what is urine; in all shoulder blades; from all legs; only heels sparkle.
- Similarity value: all as one; everything, as in the selection; one to one; well done to young man.
Antonymic colloquial phraseological units, examples:
- The cat cried(few) - Chickens don't peck(a lot of).
- Nothing is visible(dark, hard to see) - At least collect the needles(light, clearly visible).
- Lose your head(bad thinking) - Head on shoulders(reasonable person).
- Like a cat with a dog(warring people) - Do not spill water, Siamese twins; soul to soul(close, very friendly or
- two steps away(beside) - For distant lands(long away).
- Soar in the clouds(thoughtful, dreaming and unfocused person) - Keep your eyes open, keep your eyes open(attentive person).
- scratch your tongue(talk, gossip) - swallow tongue(to be silent).
- Mind Chamber(clever man) - Without a king in my head, live in someone else's mind(stupid or reckless person).
Phraseologisms examples with explanation:
- american uncle- a person who very unexpectedly helps out of a financially difficult situation.
- Fight like a fish on ice- do unnecessary, useless actions that do not lead to any result.
- Beat the thumbs- idle.
- Throw down the gauntlet- to enter into an argument with someone, to challenge.
Augean stables
Rake first these Augean stables, and then you will go for a walk.
Meaning. A cluttered, polluted place where everything is in complete disarray.
Arshin swallow
It stands as if the arshin swallowed.
Meaning. Stay unnaturally straight.
henbane overeat
In Pushkin's "The Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish," an old man, indignant at the shameless greed of his old woman, angrily says to her: "What are you, a woman, overeating with henbane?"
Meaning. Act absurdly, viciously, like crazy.
Buridan's donkey
He rushes about, cannot decide on anything, like Buridan's donkey.
Meaning. An extremely indecisive person, hesitating in the choice between equivalent decisions.
Let's go back to our sheep
However, enough about this, let's get back to our sheep.
Meaning. A call to the speaker not to digress from the main topic; a statement that his digression from the topic of conversation is over.
Versta Kolomna
At such a verst of Kolomna as you, everyone will immediately pay attention.
Meaning. So they call a person of very tall stature, a tall man.
lead by the nose
The smartest man, more than once or twice led the enemy by the nose.
Meaning. To deceive, mislead, promise and not fulfill the promise.
Hair on end
Horror seized him: his eyes popped out, his hair stood on end.
Meaning. So they say when a person is very scared.
That's where the dog is buried!
Ah, that's it! Now it is clear where the dog is buried.
Meaning. That's the thing, that's the real reason.
Pour in the first number
For such deeds, of course, they should be poured on the first number!
Meaning. Severely punish, scold someone
rub glasses
Do not believe it, they rub glasses on you!
Meaning. To deceive someone by presenting the matter in a distorted, incorrect, but favorable light for the speaker.
Voice in the wilderness
Wasted labor, you won't convince them, your words are the voice of one crying in the wilderness.
Meaning. Denotes vain persuasion, calls that no one heeds.
Goal like a falcon
Who will say a kind word to me? After all, I'm an orphan. Goal like a falcon.
Meaning. Very poor, beggar.
Naked truth
This is the state of affairs, the naked truth without embellishment.
Meaning. Truth as it is, no bluff.
Woe onion
Do you know how to cook soup, onion woe.
Meaning. Idiot, unlucky person.
Two-faced Janus
She is deceitful, quirky and hypocritical, a real two-faced Janus.
Meaning. Two-faced, hypocritical person
In the bag
Well, everything, now you can sleep peacefully: it's in the bag.
Meaning. It's all right, everything ended well.
Money doesn't smell
He took this money and did not wince, the money does not smell.
Meaning. It is the availability of money that is important, not the source of its origin.
Keep in a black body
Don't let her sleep in bed By the light of the morning star Keep the lazy man in a black body And don't take the reins off her!
Meaning. Severely, strictly treat someone, forcing them to work hard; oppress someone.
Bring to white heat
Vile type, brings me to white heat.
Meaning. To piss off to the limit, to bring to madness.
smoke rocker
In the tavern, smoke stood like a yoke: songs, dances, screams, fights.
Meaning. Noise, noise, confusion, turmoil.
Egyptian executions
What kind of punishment is this, just Egyptian executions!
Meaning. Disasters that bring torment, heavy punishment.
Iron curtain
We live like behind an iron curtain, no one comes to us, and we don't visit anyone.
Meaning. Barriers, obstacles, complete political isolation of the country.
Yellow press
Where did you read all this? Do not trust the yellow press.
Meaning. Base, deceitful, greedy for cheap sensations press.
Alive Smoking Room
A. S. Pushkin wrote an epigram to the critic M. Kachenovsky, which began with the words: “How! Is Kurilka a journalist still alive? It ended with wise advice: “... How to extinguish a stinking splinter? How to kill my Smoking room? Give me advice. - "Yes ... spit on him."
Meaning. An exclamation at the mention of the ongoing activity of someone, his existence, despite difficult conditions.
Behind seven seals
Well, of course, because this is a secret for you with seven seals!
Meaning. Something beyond understanding.
Nick down
And cut it on your nose: you will not be able to deceive me!
Meaning. Remember firmly, firmly, once and for all.
Truth in wine
And next to the neighboring tables Sleepy lackeys stick out, And drunkards with rabbit eyes shout "In vino Veritas". Alexander Blok
Meaning. If you want to know exactly what a person thinks, treat him to wine.
It is not worth it
You shouldn't do it. The game is clearly not worth the candle.
Meaning. The effort you put in is not worth it.
To the hat analysis
Well, brother, you came late, to the most hat analysis!
Meaning. Be late, show up when it's all over.
Like chickens in cabbage soup (get in)
And he got with this case, like chickens in cabbage soup.
Meaning. Bad luck, unexpected misfortune.
King for a day
I would not trust their generous promises, which they distribute right and left: caliphs for an hour.
Meaning. About a man who happened to be endowed with power for a short time.
Scapegoat
I fear you will forever be their scapegoat.
Meaning. The defendant for someone else's guilt, for the mistakes of others, because the true culprit cannot be found or wants to evade responsibility.
Lazarus sing
Stop singing Lazarus, stop being ashamed.
Meaning. Begging, whining, exaggeratedly complaining about fate, trying to arouse the sympathy of others.
Climb on the rampage
He promised to be careful, but he deliberately climbs on the rampage!
Meaning. Do something risky, run into trouble, do something dangerous, doomed to failure in advance.
Disservice
The incessant praise from your lips is a real disservice.
Meaning. Unsolicited help, a service that does more harm than good.
Cast pearls before swine
In a letter to A. A. Bestuzhev (end of January 1825), A. S. Pushkin writes: “The first sign smart person- to know at a glance who you are dealing with, and not to cast pearls in front of the Repetilovs and the like.
Meaning. Wasting words talking to people who can't understand you.
You can't ride a goat
He looks down on everyone, you can’t drive up to him even on a crooked goat.
Meaning. He is completely unapproachable, it is not clear how to address him.
unlucky person
Nothing went right with him, and in general he was a good-for-nothing person.
Meaning. Frivolous, careless, dissolute.
Shelving
Now put it aside in a long box, and then completely forget.
Meaning. Give the case a long delay, delay its decision for a long time.
Retired goat drummer
I am now out of office - a retired goat drummer.
Meaning. No one needs, no one respected person.
Bring under the monastery
What have you done, what am I to do now, led me to the monastery, and nothing more.
Meaning. Put in a difficult, unpleasant situation, bring under punishment.
put a pig
Well, he has a vile character: he planted a pig and is satisfied!
Meaning. Secretly set up some filth, play a dirty trick.
Get into a bind
The small one got into such a bind that even the guards shout.
Meaning. Get into a difficult, dangerous or unpleasant situation.
Professor of sour cabbage soup
He is always teaching everyone. Me too, professor of sour cabbage soup!
Meaning. Unlucky, bad master.
Beluga roar
For three days in a row she roared like a beluga.
Meaning. Shout or cry loudly.
Breed antimony
All conversation is over. I have no time to raise antimony here with you.
Meaning. To chat, to carry on empty talk. Observe unnecessary ceremonies in a relationship.
The side of the bake
Why would I go to them? Nobody called me. It's called came - on the side of the bake!
Meaning. Everything accidental, extraneous, adhering to something from the outside; superfluous, unnecessary
Orphan Kazan
Why are you standing, rooted to the threshold, like an orphan from Kazan.
Meaning. So they say about a person who pretends to be unhappy, offended, helpless in order to pity someone.
Grated roll
As a grated kalach, I can give you good advice.
Meaning. This is the name of an experienced person who is difficult to deceive.
Pip on your tongue
What are you saying, pip on your tongue!
Meaning. An expression of dissatisfaction with what was said, an unkind wish to someone who says something that is not what should be said.
Sharpen laces
Why are you sitting idle and whetting your hair?
Meaning. To idle talk, engage in useless chatter, gossip.
pull the gimp
Now they are gone, he will pull the rigmarole until we give up this idea ourselves.
Meaning. To procrastinate, to drag out any business, to speak monotonously and tediously.
Hit the face in the dirt
You don’t let me down, don’t lose face in front of the guests.
Meaning. Embarrass, shame.
In the middle of nowhere
What, go to him? Yes, this is in the middle of nowhere.
Meaning. Very far, somewhere in the wilderness.
fig leaf
She is a terrible pretender and lazy, hiding behind her imaginary illness, like a fig leaf.
Meaning. A plausible cover for unseemly deeds.
Filkin's letter
What kind of filkin's letter is this, can't you really state your thoughts?
Meaning. Ignorant, illiterate document.
Grab the stars from the sky
He is a man not without abilities, but there are not enough stars from heaven.
Meaning. Do not differ in talents and outstanding abilities.
Enough kondrashka
He was a heroic health, and suddenly kondrashka was enough.
Meaning. Someone suddenly died, was suddenly paralyzed.
Apple of discord
This trip is a real bone of contention, can't you give in, let him go.
Meaning. That which gives rise to conflict, serious contradictions.
Pandora's Box
Well, now hold on, Pandora's box has opened.
Meaning. All that can serve as a source of disaster if not careful.
Phraseology is a very interesting and fascinating section of the language. Getting acquainted with the origin of individual phraseological units, you are surprised at the wisdom of the people, the flexibility of their mind and imagery of thinking. Let's see some examples of such collective creativity of the people.
freeze
In pre-revolutionary Russia taught Greek language. Dissatisfied with the answers of the students, the teachers often uttered the word "moros", which meant in Russian "stupidity". This word came into use, transforming into “brick” - “to say stupidity” (namely, “to say”, and not “to do”).
All over Ivanovskaya
On the bell tower of Ivan the Great in Moscow, on church holidays, all thirty of its bells rang, the ringing was heard in half of Moscow. “To the whole of Ivanovskaya” began to mean “to call (shout, make noise) very loudly, with all your might.”
Get into a mess
In a carding machine, a slip is a drum with teeth. Wool combers, gaping, could get their hand into the hole, and it was an extremely unpleasant sensation, one could even lose a hand. “To get into a mess” over time changed not only in spelling (a noun with a preposition was transformed into a derivative adverb “into a mess” and began to be written together with a prefix), but also acquired a somewhat softened, not so hard meaning: “to get into a mess” means now simply “ get into an awkward position, not into trouble.
Where do crayfish hibernate
Of the several versions about the origin of this phraseological unit, the most reliable one seems to be that especially delinquent ones were sent for gourmet crayfish in winter, since there was a high probability of getting pneumonia. “Show where the crayfish hibernate” meant to force them to climb into the winter reservoir. At the same time, the person did not have the opportunity to dissuade, they say, he was looking for, but did not find such places.
Goal like a falcon
This phraseologism causes bewilderment in many: why is the “falcon naked”, plucked, or what? And the answer is simple: the “falcon” here is not a bird at all, but a smoothly cleaned log, a battering ram gun. Knots, notches, bumps were not allowed on it - in the heat of battle, warriors could injure their hands.
The rethinking of the expression is such that it denotes the poverty of someone, the lack of even the necessary.
long box
Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, wanting to be known as kind and sympathetic, started a special long-shaped box for petitions (petitions) near the facade of the palace in Kolomenskoye so that petitioners could drop their notes into it. The boyars were responsible for delivering petitions to the tsar. They not only delayed petitions, but often even “lost” some altogether if they contained complaints against themselves.
If the decision of the case is delayed, now they say "the case has been put on the back burner."
case tobacco
Phraseologism has the meaning of the threat of failure of some business. It goes back to the times of burlachstvo in Russia. Barge haulers tied a pouch of tobacco around their necks so that they would not get wet when they pulled the barge. If the water level near the river bank rose and reached the chest, alarming cries were heard: “Taba-a-ak!”
Lasy (balusters) sharpen, baluster
Balusters, balusters, balusters - these are all the names of curly posts for stair railings, which were made on lathes. The work was simple, the master did not need special attention to complete it, so he could afford to work, and joke, joke at the same time.
Therefore, the stable expression “to sharpen, to baluster” has come into use, precisely as “to joke merrily”.
Plug in the belt
In Russia, the belt was an obligatory piece of clothing for both men and women. As for the working people, for him it was not only a tribute to fashion, but also the need to deftly manage the tool, temporarily unnecessary to plug it into the belt, in order to use it again at the right moment, without wasting time searching.
Additionally, this expression acquired a derogatory meaning when it began to be used in relation to those who were less dexterous and skillful in any business, equating it with an unnecessary thing: “I will shut you up by the belt!”
shabby look
At first glance, the meaning of this phraseological unit is directly related to the inevitable soiling of clothes at dinner (meal) - even very neat people have encountered this trouble at least once. But there is a completely different version associated with historical fact the transfer of the weaving factory founded by Peter I to the merchant Zatrapeznikov. The factory produced cheap fabric for poor people and for household needs.
Later, the expression "He has a shabby appearance" began to characterize untidy people in crumpled and unkempt clothes.
Kazan orphans
After the conquest of Kazan, Tsar Ivan the Terrible needed to win the loyalty of the Tatars, and he spent a lot of money on appeasing them, generously endowed many. After that, some of the disadvantaged began to importunately demand rewards for themselves, pretending to be poor.
This gave rise to derisively calling them "Kazan orphans", which later "clung" to all beggars.
You can't lure with a kalach
in Russia until the 17th century. the main product for baking bread was rye flour. Rye bread was eaten by both the poor and the rich. Wheat flour was used only for baking kalachi and Easter cakes for the holidays, which was available only to the rich, for the poor it was an inaccessible delicacy.
Don't back down from decision even with generous promises, it means to be adamant, not to succumb to persuasion under any conditions, even if they “lure you with a roll”.
Gimp pull
Gimp in the old days was called gold, silver and copper thread for embroidery. They were then made by hand. Threads were slowly and extremely carefully pulled out of the hot metal, which, as they solidified, should have the same thickness and uniform structure. This could be achieved only by jewelry work at a slow pace.
Therefore, “pull the gimp”, “gimp” in an allegorical sense means “slow down”, “delay”. Probably, the idiom “pull the rubber” appeared in a similar way.
The thief's hat is on fire
This phraseological unit has its own background: an old anecdote. It refers to a case in the bazaar, when, wanting to find a thief, people turned to a healer for help. The healer suddenly shouted: “Look, the hat on the thief is on fire!” One of those present involuntarily grabbed his head. This gave him away. He was the thief.
The expression "The cap is on fire on the thief!" now denotes a person who, by a careless action or word, betrayed his unseemly actions or intentions.
Not salty slurping
AT ancient Russia salt was an expensive product, it was taken from afar and it was highly valued, spent carefully, economically. Food was salted directly at the table and often from the owner's hand. And since “his own hand is the lord,” the host generously salted food to those guests who sat closer to him and were, of course, more noble. And those who sat on the far side, sometimes did not get salt at all. And such a guest left, it turns out, "not slurping salty."
Now they say this about an unsuccessful visit, where the guest was not given due attention and he did not achieve the desired result from his visit.
Not at ease
An example of how phraseologism can lead away from its meaning in a completely unexpected direction. This is a tracing paper with French, where n'est pas dans son assiette translates as "to be in a bad mood, not in the mood." But the word assiette has a second meaning - "plate". However, it doesn't occur to us to think about some kind of dishes when we use this expression. We are well aware that we are talking about some kind of awkwardness or bad mood, as well as other inconveniences.
goof off
characteristic features Russian people in past centuries were modesty and shyness. An uncovered head for both men and women was considered an unacceptable liberty and shame, especially if a hat or scarf was torn off a person “in the world”. Hence the negative meaning of the expression “goof off” - “get into an awkward position”, “disgrace yourself”.
From board to board
Doing something from start to finish is like reading a book cover to cover, i.e. from cover to cover. And in ancient Russia, the first books, still handwritten, had not leather or cardboard, but wooden covers.
Hence the "board to board".
know the inside story
In the old days, severe torture was used for interrogation in prisons. One of the most sophisticated was the one when nails were hammered under the nails. Few people could endure such torment and gave out what was asked of him. In other words, the information, as it were, was obtained “from under the nails”, that is, it was “underground”, and it was extracted from there.
From the red line
The first Russian books were written by hand, and the initial letters of the sections were painted with ornaments in red paint, sometimes including other colors. Each new paragraph began with a red letter. Such a line became known as the "red line". Phraseologism means "start something new", "start over".
Get lost with pantalik
The meaning of this idiom is related to the name of the Greek mountain Pantelik. In numerous caves and grottoes, formed from the work of marble miners, one could sometimes get lost. Therefore, this expression is used in the meaning of "to deviate from the intended course", but not in the literal, but in a figurative sense, for example, "to lose the thread of reasoning" and the like.
Miracles in a sieve
Initially, the expression looked like an amazing phenomenon: “Miracles: there are many holes in the sieve, but there is nowhere to get out.” Then, in an amazing way, it was reduced and acquired an ironic meaning: “Well, what miracles can there be in a sieve? Is it possible to try to carry water?
trump
An advantage in a card game comes to mind. But no! The point is the boyar collar, which they sewed on their festive caftan in order to differ from the common people. Such gates were embroidered with pearls, gold and silver, impressively sticking up, giving importance to the person, making her posture proud, and were called "trump card". Hence, “playing a trump card” means “important”, and “trump card” means showing off something.
In most languages, there are such lexical units, which are called phraseological units. They are interesting in that they often create difficulties in translation or turn out to be untranslatable at all. Let's try to deal with such a phenomenon as phraseological units in the Russian language, and their role in written and oral speech.
The lexical composition of the Russian language consists not only of individual words denoting objects, positive and negative signs and actions, but also of soldered combinations.
Phraseological turnover is a historically established stable expression that has a holistic meaning.
- roll up your sleeves - work hard;
- as he looked into the water - he foresaw the future;
- porridge in the head - confusion in thoughts;
- blood with milk - a healthy, strong build person.
A number of signs will help you find a phraseological unit:
Phraseological phrases can have correspondences among free phrases. So, bite your tongue (shut up, refrain from speaking) can also be used in its direct meaning.
The question arises how to determine in what meaning a stable expression is used. Context will help. Compare: I already wanted to confess everything, but I bit my tongue in time (portable) / The bus shook so hard that I bit my tongue (direct).
If you have any doubts about whether you understand the definition of a phraseological unit correctly, you can always look in special dictionaries of the Russian language or, in extreme cases, turn to the Wikipedia portal and look there.
Types of phraseological units
Different phraseological turns have different degrees of cohesion of elements, that is, the dependence of the components of the phrase on each other.
On this basis, the following groups are distinguished in the language:
- Unions. In such phrases, the words included in them have lost their original meaning, and therefore the general meaning does not follow from the semantics of its constituent elements. For example, to starve a worm: the general meaning of “snack” does not consist of the meanings of the word “starve” (to starve to death) and the word “worm” (a small worm). Phraseological fusions are also expressions that contain an obsolete word. Often the meaning of this word is either unknown to a wide range of people, or lost. Such turnovers include, for example, getting into a mess (being in an unpleasant situation), beating the buckets (idling), without hesitation (without any doubt), etc. Most people do not know what a slip or bucks are, but everyone knows the meaning of phraseological units using these words.
- Unity. This group of phraseological phrases is made up of such statements, the meaning of which is partly related to the semantics of the words included in it, used in a figurative, figurative sense. For example, to go into its shell means "to retire": the basis of this combination is the image of a snail going into its shell. If the unions have lost their figurativeness, then the unities are perceived as paths. Among phraseological units, figurative comparisons are distinguished - like a bath sheet, like a mountain from the shoulders; epithets - iron discipline, crimson ringing; hyperbole - mountains of gold, a sea of \u200b\u200bpleasure; - there was no poppy dew in the mouth, with a little finger. The phraseological unity can be based on a pun or a joke: a hole from a donut (emptiness), from a sleeve vest (nothing). Sometimes they are built on the play of antonyms: both old and young, here and there, and laughter and sin.
- Combinations. In such phraseological units of the Russian language, one of the components of a stable expression is limited in its use. For example, to cry sobbing: the word sobbing is used only with the word cry; look down (head): the word downcast is not used with other words.
- Expressions. This type includes popular expressions, proverbs and sayings: happy hours are not observed; to be or not to be, a man in a case, you can't easily take a fish out of the pond.
The origin of phraseological units
Russian phraseology has evolved over many centuries, and its composition continues to grow today. In this regard, it becomes interesting where certain phraseological units came from in the language.
Consider the groups into which phraseological units are divided in terms of their origin.
Most of them are native Russians. Among them are:
- Common Slavic: splurge (deceive), pours like a bucket (about heavy rain).
- East Slavic: deaf grouse (a hard of hearing person), under Tsar Pea (a very long time ago).
- Actually Russian: teeth to speak (to lie, inventing long and intricate stories), both cheaply and cheerfully.
Many stable expressions came to us from the Bible and are associated with biblical scenes: Babylonian pandemonium (disorder, turmoil) refers to the legend of the Babylonian confusion of languages, throwing beads in front of pigs (reporting to an ignorant person information that he can neither understand nor appreciate) is an inaccurate translation of the biblical quote "throwing pearls before swine."
Note! There are phraseological dictionaries of an etymological type, where you can find out the origin of a stable turnover. For example, "Etymological Phraseological Dictionary" by N.I. Shansky. Ordinary dictionaries of phraseology do not provide such information.
Some phraseological turns are based on legends and facts of antiquity.
So, the apple of discord (the cause of the dispute, strife) refers to the myth of Paris and Helen, the Augean stables (a very polluted room, a terrible mess) came from the myth of the exploits of Hercules, Sisyphean labor (hard, meaningless work) refers to the myth of Sisyphus.
Many stable turns came from the speech of representatives of various professions: without a hitch (without interference and problems), butcher (to win a complete victory) - from the speech of carpenters; play the first violin (be the leader of something) - from the speech of musicians.
Borrowings from European languages occurred in two directions:
- From fiction: Leave hope, everyone who enters here (A. Dante), the princess and the pea (G. X. Andersen);
- Tracing method, that is, a literal translation into Russian: honeymoon (French la lune de miel), time is money (English time is money).
Modern phraseological units are new set expressions that have appeared in the language over the past couple of decades. They have many sources: from rethinking existing units to borrowing from different languages, mostly from English.
Such stable turns, as a rule, exist among the youth. Here are a few examples: go on a diet in the sense of temporarily abandoning the use of obscene words; complete bezandenstend - a situation of not understanding something; for sharps to get - to go to jail (the similarity of the sharp sign with a lattice is shown).
The fate of such set expressions is not yet clear, they are not fixed in dictionaries and have a rather narrow circle of speakers.
The role of phraseology in a sentence
In a sentence, a phraseological unit is one member: subject, predicate, object, circumstance, definition or interjection.
The equivalence of a phraseological unit of one or another part of speech determines its role in the sentence:
- Nominal phraseological units are formed mainly by a combination of a noun and an adjective, which means that they play the role of a subject or object in a sentence: golden hands, sea wolf.
- Verbal phraseological units perform in a sentence, as a rule, the function of a predicate: bring to light (expose), invest one's soul (do something in good faith, with full dedication).
- Adverbial types, like adverbs, play the role of circumstances in a sentence. Please note: the constituent statements can be expressed different parts speech, in addition to the adverb, but at the same time retain the general meaning of the circumstance. Examples: wholeheartedly, to the core, not far off.
- In the role of a definition, turns are used, denoting a sign of an object:, blood with milk.
- There are also interjectional phraseological units expressing the emotions of the speaker: no fluff, no feather!, damn it!
Let's analyze what questions a phraseological phrase can answer:
- If the set expression answers the question who? or what?, then it plays the role of the subject. I kept waiting for the promised land to open (what?) to me.
- Questions of indirect cases of a noun indicate that the phraseologism is an addition. Planning can be called (what?) The cornerstone of building a house.
- Questions what to do? / what to do?, as a rule, show a phraseological unit-predicate. Pavel Ivanovich once again (what did he do?) got into trouble because of his new hobby.
- If he answers questions how? when? where? where? where? why? why? how?, then it acts as a circumstance. Valentina valued her senior dispatcher (how?) worth her weight in gold.
Advice! To determine which member of a sentence is a phraseological unit, ask a question to the entire expression, and not to its part.
Useful video
Summing up
Phraseology is a source of imagery, and the skillful use of its units makes our speech more expressive. However, phraseological units must be used with caution.
Ignorance of the meaning of a set expression, its origin and scope of use often leads to errors and misunderstandings, and inaccurate transmission of phraseological unit components indicates low language literacy.
In order not to get into trouble, do not use phraseological units that you doubt, and refer to dictionaries more often.
There are many stable phrases and phrases in the Russian language, the meaning of which cannot be understood purely from a linguistic point of view. Russian phraseological units or popular expressions stun foreigners, and a considerable part of modern youth. Meanwhile, they make speech more vivid, expressive, incredibly expand the possibilities of the Russian language and the range of emotions of human communication. No less interesting is the history of their origin, both firmly established in our everyday life, and the most unusual and rare, thanks to which the Russian language, for all its complexity and richness, would be much poorer and more boring.
The origins of the phraseologism lie in antiquity, when salt in Russia was very expensive due to the difficulties of its delivery from the mining regions. In the absence of good roads and a fair weight of the product, it was difficult to expect cheap deliveries. When guests came to the house, the owner himself salted their food, paying more attention to dear guests who sat at the table closer to him. It happened that food was even salted as a sign of special respect. Those who, due to their low social status, sat at the other end of the table, sometimes got little salt and did not get it at all. This is where the expression “leave from somewhere unsalted slurping” came from, i.e. deprived, not getting what they expected.
play spillikins
The modern game "Tower" or "Jenga" had an ancient Russian analogue - a game in which the role of bricks was played by various small objects, which in the old days were called spillikins. The purpose of the fun was to alternately pull out the spillikins from the common heap one by one until the whole structure collapsed. At the turn of the XIX-XX centuries. the game was very popular and gradually began to personify a useless, empty activity, nonsense, on which time is spent instead of useful things. The expression has this meaning even today.
"Lying like a gray gelding"
The meaning of this phraseological unit is clear without explanation, but its origin has not been unequivocally determined. There are at least two versions of why it was this pet, and it was the gray suit that was awarded the title of a harmless reputation as a liar. And it is not a fact that one of them is accurate, since both come down to a certain speech error in the memory of the Russian people. According to the first one, voiced by the linguist V. Dahl, the word “lying” originally sounded like “rushing”. The fact that geldings are distinguished by special strength and endurance is a well-known fact. But it is unlikely that the gray suit somehow stands out with these qualities against the background of others.
According to the second version, the popular expression remained in memory of the Russian "Munchausen" - a great liar named Sievers-Mering of noble rank, who served in the tsarist army 150 years ago. All the soldiers and officers knew about his tendency to invent fables, so the expression was often used when convicting someone of a lie.
However, this version is also defeated if we recall that the gray gelding (or mare) is also mentioned as a stable expression for other reasons (nonsense of a gray mare, lazy or stupid, op like a gray gelding, etc.). And the researchers still have no explanation for this interesting fact.
Roll a barrel (at someone)
In ancient times, fish was one of the main food products. Although they spoke in Russia about “soup and porridge,” but meat soup was expensive, and you can’t really work on empty ones. Therefore, they were often boiled on fish, and in another form it often appeared on the village table.
Fish often had to be transported from the places of its especially rich fishing - from the lower reaches of the Volga and other large reservoirs. They carried it in large barrels, which, when unloaded, rolled down the ladder and, if handled carelessly, could easily cripple a person. Therefore, the first rule when unloading was not to roll the barrel when there was a person in its path. Interesting fact: this phraseologism was actually born on the social bottom of society, and to this day it is considered vulgar and unacceptable for use in cultural conversation, although its meaning does not carry vulgarity or vulgarity. “Roll a barrel” - attack a person, threaten him, accuse him of something with the implication that he actually did nothing wrong.
Breaking bad (let go)
Temple belfries (bell towers) in the old days usually hung a lot of different bells from small ringing bells to colossal colossus, the weight of which reached tens of tons. To strike such a bell, remarkable strength was needed, since its “tongue” weighed a lot. In church statutes, they were called "heavy", i.e. modern "heavy".
They beat them not only on major holidays, but also in case of emergencies, such as fires and other disasters. "To hit all the hard" meant to beat all the heavy (loud) bells so that the sound would spread further and announce the importance of the event. In this case, the people had to give up everything, regardless of occupation, run to help or save themselves and act, regardless of anything and regardless of anything subjective. The expression is used to this day, retaining only part of the meaning - to perform actions that are not consistent with the usual rules. However, in this case, we are no longer talking about help and salvation, but revelry and debauchery.
Hot spot
Another phraseological phrase from the old church vocabulary that has lost its meaning, and this time it is exactly the opposite. At the mention of cereals, we imagine a place where people indulge in drunkenness and debauchery, however, the original meaning of this expression was not figurative and referred to the place where cereals grow, i.e. bread, well-fed, and therefore cheerful. The request to put to rest in “a green and peaceful (calm) place” is contained in prayers for the dead. The current value is due to the fact that in Russia, in the absence of grapes, intoxicating drinks were made mainly from cereals. Therefore, the "evil" place in oral folklore turned into a "drunk" one.
"Silent glanders"
The meaning of a phraseological unit is to do something inconspicuously, secretly, to achieve the desired inconspicuously for others, as a rule, something that they do not approve of and often comes to the detriment or detriment of others. For example, on the sly, you can get what you want from your superiors, regardless of corporate ethics. Or drag the most delicious food, while no one has sat down at the table. The modified word "sapa" comes from the Italian "zappa", meaning something like our sapper shovel, i.e. small shovel for earthworks. It was convenient for her to dig or dig a secret passage.
Before getting into the Russian language, "tsappa" passed into French in the form of a modified borrowing "sap" (earthworks in order to create a hidden tunnel, sap). By the way, the well-known word "sapper" came from him. In our language, this word itself and the corresponding phrase "quiet glanders" acquired the same meaning. To make the approach to the enemy imperceptible, secret, to approach on the sly.
Subsequently, the expression acquired a wide semantic application and turned into a phraseological unit.
"Sit in a puddle"
Another variant of a phraseological unit is to sit in a galosh (galosh). It means to be disgraced, to be in an absurd position, to be defeated in a dispute, putting forward easily refutable arguments. The origin of this unusual phraseologism is associated with ancient folk wall-to-wall fights, held as fun, games. The battles took place in the field, where mud and puddles often kneaded underfoot. If a person fell, then he not only lost, but also found himself in a very ridiculous position - lying in a puddle. And since in ancient times the puddle was called a little differently, kaluga, the name of the shoe for overcoming this obstacle came from this name - galosh (it has an equal spelling with the “galosh” variant, depending on the local dialect).
Therefore, in Russian folklore, another popular expression has also become fixed - “sit in a galosh”.
"The sand is falling"
The expression implies old age, a derisive indication of age, often inappropriate behavior. According to one version, its roots go to medieval Europe, where such a detail of clothing as a codpiece came into fashion, i.e. a bag in which a man's dignity was invested. The detail was not just noticeable, it was decorated in every possible way and flaunted. And in order to make the economy look more solid, men often put fake sandbags into the codpiece. Elderly womanizers especially sinned with this in order to demonstrate that they were still “hoo”. But due to the prescription of use or due to careless movement, the bags sometimes torn, and then a path of sand stretched behind the owner of a luxurious codpiece, which caused laughter among the courtiers.
According to another version, Russian soldiers had to wear the same bags in the same place, but for a different purpose, under Peter, who ordered them to wear narrow, as in Europe, and terribly uncomfortable for them unusual pants (to reduce pressure on causal places ). The bags quickly wore out, torn and scattered sand.
There is also a third version, which explains why phraseological units are applied with the same success in relation to women and why it has received such a late distribution. We are talking about stones and sand in the genitourinary system, which are most often formed with age and often come out spontaneously.
Put in a long box
The meaning of the expression is simple - to postpone something for a long or indefinite period, not to rush to resolve the issue. But it has an interesting origin. In the village of Kolomenskoye, during the reign of Alexei, who was the father of Peter the Great, a special box was installed for complaints to the sovereign, which anyone could put there. The people tried, wrote, waited, but the consideration of issues had to wait for months, or even years. For this, the petitioners aptly nicknamed the box long or long. Subsequently, the expression was fixed thanks to special boxes in the "presences", where complaints and petitions were laid out in different boxes by the officials themselves for sorting. Among them was one that was intended for folding unhurried affairs, and it was called "long".
"Disservice"
So they say about unsolicited help, from which more negative consequences are obtained than benefits. The origin is connected with the fable "The Hermit and the Bear" by the famous fabulist Krylov. In it, the Bear, out of good intentions, slapped a fly on the forehead of the Stranger, with whom he became friends. But he did not calculate the strength and killed him. There is no catch phrase in the text of the fable; it was formed later on its basis and firmly entered Russian folklore.
"Not by washing, so by skating"
Phraseologism, the meaning of which comes down to excessive perseverance, the desire of a person to achieve what he wants in any way and find other ways to achieve it if previous attempts have failed. The origin of the expression refers to the old way of ironing clothes with a roll using two wooden bars. Linen was wound on one of them, and the resulting bundle was rolled on a flat surface with the other. When washing clothes, women knew that the results of not quite high-quality washing could be visually improved if the item was carefully ironed.
"7 Fridays in a week"
Phraseologism, as relevant as ever at the present time. Friday was the trading day. If the money was not immediately paid for the goods on the market day, then the payment deadline came on the following Friday. People who failed to pay due dates, and especially those who reminded debtors of their debts too often, were said to have Friday every day. The expression stuck to those who change their minds too often. In addition, this day in Russia was considered a day off, a market day. Subsequently, they began to talk like that about loafers, who have every day, like Friday, a day off.
"Japanese policeman!"
By uttering this phrase, many simply disguise an obscene expression that is ready to escape from their lips. In fact, we are talking about a small scandal that took place during the journey of Tsarevich Nicholas in Japan. The youth laughed loudly and had fun, which did not please the stiff guardian of order, who, without thinking twice and without wasting words, simply hit the future emperor on the head with a saber. Fortunately, she was in a sheath, and the incident had no physical consequences, however, it received a serious response in Russia. The outrage was caused by the fact that instead of restoring proper order, the Japanese policeman rushes at unarmed young people just because they laugh out loud. The expression has taken root perfectly as a euphemism - a shy replacement of an indecent word with a completely cultural expression.