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пудрить мозги

Meaning: To mislead someone with false or nonsensical talk; to deceive or confuse deliberately.

Language: Russian

Literally: to powder the brains

Category: Body & Senses

Origin: The phrase pictures scattering powder or dust in someone's brain to cloud their thinking and prevent clear understanding.

More idioms — Body & Senses

  • сила есть — ума не надо — a person who is physically strong but intellectually weak or stupid.
  • гнать в три шеи — To expel or drive someone away forcefully and without ceremony.
  • язык проглотил — To be unable or unwilling to speak; to remain silent when words are called for.
  • до посинения — To do something with extreme effort or persistence, usually futilely.
  • на коленке — Done hastily and without proper tools or technique; improvised or makeshift.
  • Tomber dans les pommes — Suddenly losing consciousness — possibly derived from the older expression 'être dans les…

More Russian idioms

  • 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.
  • 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…
  • сражаться с ветряными мельницами — To struggle against imaginary or futile enemies; to waste effort on impossible causes.
  • ходить вокруг да около — To avoid speaking plainly; to approach a subject indirectly or evasively.

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