работать спустя рукава
Meaning: To work carelessly, half-heartedly, without proper effort or attention.
Language: Russian
Literally: work with sleeves rolled down
Category: Daily Life
Origin: Pre-Soviet era when Russians with rolled-up sleeves worked diligently; rolled-down sleeves indicated laziness and negligence.
More idioms — Daily Life
- Να πας στα τρία ρέματα — Get lost or go away; an irreverent dismissal telling someone to leave you alone.
- Φέρνω νερό στο μύλο κάποιου — Unwittingly help someone achieve their own goals while thinking you're working against th…
- att köpa grisen i säcken — To make a purchase or agreement without inspecting or understanding what you're actually…
- det är inte värt ett öre — Something is completely worthless or valueless.
- dar um jeito — Find a creative solution or workaround, often bending rules pragmatically.
- رمى بنفسه في التهلكة — Someone deliberately puts themselves in danger or a hopeless situation through recklessne…
More Russian idioms
- заморить червячка — To have a light snack or small meal to satisfy hunger temporarily.
- медведь на ухо наступил — To lack musical ability or have poor sense of pitch and rhythm.
- пускать пыль в глаза — To deceive or mislead someone, creating false impressions through trickery.
- 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.
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