Home › Idioms

надуться как мышь на крупу

Meaning: To become angry or offended; to sulk or huff indignantly.

Language: Russian

Literally: to puff up like a mouse on groats

Category: Animals

Origin: The phrase draws the absurd image of a tiny mouse swelling up grotesquely after eating groats, picturing wounded pride and petulant anger.

More idioms — Animals

  • 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.
  • Poser un lapin — To stand someone up on a date.

More Russian idioms

  • пудрить мозги — To mislead someone with false or nonsensical talk; to deceive or confuse deliberately.
  • один с сошкой, а семеро с ложкой — many people live off the labor of one worker.
  • сила есть — ума не надо — a person who is physically strong but intellectually weak or stupid.
  • зарывать свой талант в землю — to waste or hide one's natural gifts instead of using them.
  • своя рубашка ближе к телу — self-interest comes before charity; one should prioritize one's own welfare and family.
  • в лес дрова возить — to do something pointless or redundant; to offer something to someone who already has ple…

← Back to Idioms

Loading the full interactive collection…