книга за семью печатями (kniga za sem'yu pechatyami)

Meaning: Something utterly mysterious and incomprehensible; a complete enigma.

Literally: A book under seven seals

Example: “Налоговые правила для меня книга за семью печатями.” — The tax rules are a closed book to me.

English equivalent: A closed book

Equivalents in other languages

Origin: The image alludes to the sealed book in the biblical Book of Revelation, representing secrets that are locked away and inaccessible.

за тридевять земель (za tridevyat' zemel') An extremely distant, remote place; somewhere impossibly far away.
проверять на вшивость (proveryat' na shivost') To scrutinize or investigate someone closely to uncover hidden faults or problems; to vet…
в долгах как в шелках (v dolgakh kak v shelkakh) To be deeply and hopelessly in debt.
положа руку на сердце (polozhá ruku na sérdtse) Speaking with complete sincerity and honesty.
давать на чай (davat' na chay) To give a tip or small payment to a service worker.
ежовые рукавицы (ezhovye rukavitsy) Harsh, strict, or iron-fisted rule or discipline.

Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.

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