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оставаться в дураках

Meaning: To be tricked or made a fool of; to lose or come out the worse in a situation.

Language: Russian

Literally: to remain in the fools

Category: Daily Life

Origin: In the Russian card game durak (fool), the losing player is the 'fool'; the phrase extends to any situation where one is outwitted or humiliated.

More idioms — Daily Life

  • 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.
  • лежачий полицейский — A speed bump or traffic calming device.
  • один с сошкой, а семеро с ложкой — many people live off the labor of one worker.
  • зарывать свой талант в землю — to waste or hide one's natural gifts instead of using them.

More Russian idioms

  • в ус не дуть — To show complete indifference or not to care at all.
  • ездить в Тулу со своим самоваром — To do something entirely pointless or unnecessary, bringing what is already abundant in t…
  • надуться как мышь на крупу — To become angry or offended; to sulk or huff indignantly.
  • пудрить мозги — To mislead someone with false or nonsensical talk; to deceive or confuse deliberately.
  • сила есть — ума не надо — a person who is physically strong but intellectually weak or stupid.
  • своя рубашка ближе к телу — self-interest comes before charity; one should prioritize one's own welfare and family.

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