Russianежовые рукавицы (ezhovye rukavitsy)
Meaning: Harsh, strict, or iron-fisted rule or discipline.
Literally: Hedgehog gloves
Example: “Новый тренер держит команду в ежовых рукавицах.” — The new coach rules the team with an iron fist.
English equivalent: With an iron fist
Equivalents in other languages
English: with an iron fist
Origin: Ежовые рукавицы were rough work mittens of very thick leather, without lining or fur, meant to protect the hands; according to the philologist Lyudmila Belousova they were also used to handle hedgehogs, which were kept to catch mice. Holding someone в ежовых рукавицах is treating them with harsh, unbending strictness. The phrase is recorded from the 18th century, and Chernyshevsky used it of firm housekeepers.
More Russian idioms
- козырная карта (kozyrnaya karta) A decisive advantage or secret resource held in reserve.
- оставаться в дураках (ostavat'sya v durakakh) To be tricked or made a fool of; to lose or come out the worse in a situation.
- в ус не дуть (v us ne dut') To show complete indifference or not to care at all.
- под башмаком (pod bashmakóm) Dominated or controlled by one's wife; henpecked.
- отложить в долгий ящик (otlozhit' v dolgiy yashchik) To postpone or shelve something indefinitely, leaving it forgotten.
- на все четыре стороны (na vse chetyre storony) In any direction one wishes; to go wherever one pleases.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- Не по хорошу мил, а по милу хорош (Ne po khoroshu mil, a po milu khorosh) We find people beautiful because we love them, not the reverse.
- Дома и стены помогают (Doma i steny pomogayut) You are strongest on home ground.
- Хочешь есть калачи, так не сиди на печи (Khochesh' yest' kalachi, tak ne sidi na pechi) If you want rewards, you have to work for them.
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