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пускать пыль в глаза

Meaning: To deceive or mislead someone, creating false impressions through trickery.

Language: Russian

Literally: throw dust in eyes

Category: The Absurd

Origin: Ancient Russian combat and street altercation tactic of throwing dust to blind opponents and escape or gain advantage.

More idioms — The Absurd

  • meter os pés pelas mãos — Make a clumsy mistake or bungle something badly through carelessness.
  • 杞憂 — Unnecessary worry about things that won't happen; baseless anxiety.
  • 臥虎藏龍 — Hidden talented individuals waiting quietly for their moment to shine.
  • 四面楚歌 — Being surrounded by enemies with no hope of escape or support.
  • mad as a box of frogs — completely crazy; chaotic and unpredictable.
  • paint the town red — to celebrate wildly; to party extensively.

More Russian idioms

  • Ни пуха ни пера — Good luck — to which the ritual reply is 'To the devil!'.
  • Ехать зайцем — To ride a train or bus without paying.
  • После дождичка в четверг — Never — or certainly no time soon.
  • Кот наплакал — A laughably tiny amount.
  • Зарубить на носу — To remember something firmly, once and for all.
  • Водить за нос — To deceive or string someone along.

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