10 popular Russian phraseological units with… body parts!

1. “Положить на лопатки” (“Polozhit na lopatki”)

“To put on one’s shoulder blades” 

It means to win in some important business or sports competition. 

2. “Прожужжать все уши” (“Prozhuzzhat vse ushi”)

“To buzz all ears” 

Are they talking too much about something or someone? They’re buzzing your ears off!

3. “Спать без задних ног” (“Spat bez zadnikh nog”)

“To sleep without hind legs”

This is what they say when a person is very tired and sleeps very soundly. The expression appeared, thanks to observations of animals: For example, horses relax their limbs so much during rest that, after waking up, their hind legs don’t obey them and they stand up, leaning on their front legs.

4. “С больной головы на здоровую” (“S bolnoi golovy na zdorovuyu”)

“From a sick head to a healthy one”

This is said in the event of some kind of conflict, when one side tries to shift the blame or responsibility onto their opponent. 

5. “Не покладая рук” (“Ne pokladaya ruk”)

“To not fold one’s arms”

That is, to work with all one’s might, with full dedication, as if you are performing a feat.

6. “Водить за нос” (“Vodit za nos”)

“To lead by the nose”

Literally, to deceive. 

7. “Глаза разбежались” (“Glaza razbezhalis”)

“The eyes ran wild”

People say this when it is impossible to concentrate on one thing, due to the abundance and variety of distractions.

8. “Прикусить язык” (“Prikusit yazyk”)

“To bite one’s tongue”

This is what they say when someone suddenly stops talking or arguing during a heated discussion, so as not to say too much. 

9. “Губа не дура” (“Guba ne dura”)

“The lip is not a fool”

If a person has the best of everything or something that is envied and admired by others, it is said “their lip is not a fool”. 

10. “Зуб на зуб не попадает” (“Zub na zub ne popadaet”)

"A tooth doesn’t fall on another”

Shivering with fear or cold? Then this expression is for you!