хоть убей

Meaning: For the life of me; under no circumstances or condition could one do something.

Language: Russian

Literally: even kill

Category: The Absurd

Origin: Hyperbolic—even if someone threatened to kill you, you could not or would not comply, so impossible or unthinkable is the request.

More idioms — The Absurd

• хоть умри — No matter what the cost or consequence; absolutely and without exception.
• Ça ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard — It's nothing special or impressive.
• C'est comme pisser dans un violon — A completely pointless effort.
• Da steppt der Bär — It's going to be a great party.
• Ich glaub mein Schwein pfeift — I can't believe it! That's outrageous!
• Estar como una cabra — To be completely crazy.

More Russian idioms

• молоко на губах не обсохло — a very young or inexperienced person; someone barely past infancy.
• Не вешай лапшу на уши — Don't lie to me; stop trying to deceive me.
• Когда рак на горе свистнет — When pigs fly; never.
• Медвежья услуга — Help that actually makes things worse.
• Тянуть кота за хвост — To procrastinate; to drag something out.
• Делать из мухи слона — To blow things way out of proportion.

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