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наступить дважды на одни и те же грабли

Meaning: To repeat the same mistake or fall into the same trap a second time.

Language: Russian

Literally: to step twice on the same rake

Category: Daily Life

Origin: The image of stepping on a rake—which flips up and hits you—is vivid slapstick; doing it twice emphasizes foolish repetition of one's own error.

More idioms — Daily Life

  • козырная карта — A decisive advantage or secret resource held in reserve.
  • оставаться в дураках — To be tricked or made a fool of; to lose or come out the worse in a situation.
  • 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.

More Russian idioms

  • ежовые рукавицы — Harsh, strict, or iron-fisted rule or discipline.
  • 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.
  • один с сошкой, а семеро с ложкой — many people live off the labor of one worker.

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