Home › Idioms

в ус не дуть

Meaning: To show complete indifference or not to care at all.

Language: Russian

Literally: not to blow into the mustache

Category: Body & Senses

Origin: The image is of such carelessness that one would not even bother to blow at a mustache—an absurd gesture of minimal effort expressing total disregard.

More idioms — Body & Senses

  • 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.
  • 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.

More Russian idioms

  • 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.
  • ездить в Тулу со своим самоваром — To do something entirely pointless or unnecessary, bringing what is already abundant in t…
  • лежачий полицейский — A speed bump or traffic calming device.
  • надуться как мышь на крупу — To become angry or offended; to sulk or huff indignantly.

← Back to Idioms

Loading the full interactive collection…