ежовые рукавицы
Meaning: Harsh, strict, or iron-fisted rule or discipline.
Language: Russian
Literally: hedgehog gloves
Category: Animals
Origin: Hedgehog gloves would be brutally uncomfortable and prickly to wear; the image conveys severity and harshness in how one is treated or ruled.
More idioms — Animals
- надуться как мышь на крупу — To become angry or offended; to sulk or huff indignantly.
- метать бисер перед свиньями — To offer something precious or refined to someone incapable of appreciating it.
- отбросить копыта — To die, to kick the bucket.
- козёл отпущения — A person blamed or punished for the wrongs of others; a scapegoat.
- Ça ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard — It's nothing special or impressive.
- Avoir le cafard — To feel depressed or down.
More Russian idioms
- козырная карта — A decisive advantage or secret resource held in reserve.
- оставаться в дураках — To be tricked or made a fool of; to lose or come out the worse in a situation.
- в ус не дуть — To show complete indifference or not to care at all.
- под башмаком — Dominated or controlled by one's wife; henpecked.
- отложить в долгий ящик — To postpone or shelve something indefinitely, leaving it forgotten.
- на все четыре стороны — In any direction one wishes; to go wherever one pleases.
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