A burnt child dreads the fire

A burnt child dreads the fire

Examples

Her eyes sought for Ellen in the ruins, but she was not visible. Afraid of the new shock of the earthquake, she cowered behind the column. A burnt child dreads the fire. (West)

This pertinacity appalled him. It showed how dangerous the chap was. None of that business here of the burnt child dreading potting-shed. No sooner was this fellow out of that mess than back he came for a second pop, as malignant as ever. (Wodehouse)

A burned child urged by rankling ire Can hardly wait to get back to the fire. (Nash)

"Oh, Clark. Be careful with your insights. You're talking like a good future prospect for a husband." I forced myself to say: "No danger there. Twice burnt and all that jazz." (Thompson)

Russian translation

Обжегшийся ребенок боится огня.
Человек, потерпевший в чем-то неудачу, в будущем проявляет большую осторожность в подобных ситуациях.

Derivation

A burnt child.

Variation

Burnt brains dread the fire.

Synonyms

The scalded cat fears cold water.
Once bitten, twice shy.
Fear has a quick ear.

Comparison

Обжегшись на молоке, будешь дуть и на воду.
Пуганая ворона куста боится.
Битому псу только плеть покажи.

The child is father of the man

The child is father of the man

Examples

"The child is father of the man," Wordsworth once said. Zagalo the player was father of Zagalo the coach. With Saldanha in charge, Brazil would have been more dashing in Mexico, but it is doubtful whether she would have won the Cup. Zagalo made the team work in his "little ant" way. (World Sports)

"Guy is very young," she said, rather faintly. "We mustn't forget that." "The child, madam, is father to the man," said Min Wilkin, rather with an air of one displaying the more erudite part of her mind. (Hichens)

"Law? Was it law, Anna? I don't believe it. I can't see myself in a wig getting some poor devil hanged." Anna said, "No." "It doesn't connect. After all, the child does make the man. I never wanted to be a lawyer. I did want to be an explorer - but that's unlikely. Even with this beard." (Greene)

Russian translation

Ребенок - это отец человека.
Уже в ребенке заложены черты взрослого.

Variation

The child is father to the man.

Comparison

Всякий бык теленком был.

Don't count your chickens before they are hatched

Don't count your chickens before they are hatched

Examples

Although I still believe that honesty is the best policy, I dislike policy altogether, though it is just as well not to count your chickens before they are hatched, it's still more hateful to count them with gloating when they are hatched. (Lawrence)

"To tell the truth, Miss Drew, Fred and I were thunderstruck at the will which left everything to the Tophams. That wasn't what Cousin Josiah led us to believe." "It certainly wasn't," Fred spoke up. "But I guess William and I counted our chickens before they were hatched." (Keene)

"My dear," said Cosmo, "I do wish you would not count all your chickens so long before they are hatched. You're not fair to yourself. I've told you so before." Her elation disappeared. Yes, she told him, that was just his way, wasn't it? To destroy her confidence? (Johnson)

"What am I supposed to make of that?" "Don't have kittens before they're hatched. And for pity's sake don't hedge or shuffle: that never did anybody any good. Least of all your young man." (Marsh)

"And now they'll live near us and I'll have someone to talk to, won't I?" "Don't count your chickens." (Winsor)

"Well, Em?" "Dinny will have two boys and a girl." "Deuce she will! That's counting her chickens rather fast." (Galsworthy)

Russian translation

Не считай цыплят, прежде чем они вылупятся.
Не следует быть слишком уверенным в успехе, пока дело не завершено.

Derivation

To count one's chickens.

Variation

Recon your chickens after they are hatched.

Synonyms

First catch your hare, then cook him.
Gut no fish till you got them.
Don't halloo till you are out of the wood.

Comparison

Цыплят по осени считают.
Не дели шкуру неубитого медведя.
Не говори гоп, пока не перепрыгнешь.

Charity begins at home

Charity begins at home

Examples

"My family will be ruined, and brought upon the parish," said the land-jobber. "Charity begins at home," replied Tom; "I must take care of myself in these hard times." (Irving)

When, warmed by champagne, he had her all to himself, he unbosomed himself of his wrongs; of his smothered resentment against the new chef at the Club; his worry over the house in Wigmore Street, where the rascally tenant had gone bankrupt through helping his brother-in-law - as if charity did not begin at home; of his deafness, too, and that pain he sometimes got in his right side. (Galsworthy)

"He's what's called a cosmopolite," Isobel suggested. "That means he's a little of everything and not much of any. I must say I think patriotism is like charity - it begins at home." (James)

I make a rule, I never tell myself lies - never. There are few who can say that. To my mind - truth begins at home and for the most part - stops there. (Wells)

Russian translation

Благотворительность начинается дома.
Люди заботятся прежде всего о себе и своих близких.

Synonyms

Let them learn first to show piety at home.
Near is my coat (shirt), but nearer is my shirt (skin).
Blood is thicker than water.

Comparison

Своя рубаха ближе к телу.
Свое дитя и горбато, да мило.
Рубаха кафтана ближе.

The chain is no stronger than its weakest link

The chain is no stronger than its weakest link

Examples

"But you were speaking of this man Porlock." "Ah, yes - the so-called Porlock is a link in the chain some little way from its great attachment. Porlock is not quite a sound link - between ourselves. He is the only flaw in that chain so far as I have been able to test it." "But no chain is stronger than its weakest link." "Exactly, my dear Watson! Hence the extreme importance of Porlock." (Doyle)

The strength of the chain is no greater than its weakest link; but the greatness of a poet is the greatness of his greatest moment... it was what they could rise to, not what they could sink to, that made them great. (B. Shaw)

He began to persecute her because she could not keep her class in proper condition, because her class was the week link in the chain which made up the school. (Lawrence)

Russian translation

Цепь не крепче своего слабейшего звена.
Жизнестойкость коллектива (организации) определяется тем, до какой степени можно положиться на его наименее надежных членов.

Variation

One link broken, the whole chain is broken.

Synonyms

The thread breaks where it is weakest.
The worst spoke in a cart breaks first.

Comparison

Где тонко, там и рвется.

All cats are grey in the dark

All cats are grey in the dark

Examples

On their left they passed an alcove which contained two marble statues, stalwart nymphs clasping their draperies in an agony of Victorian propriety. "They are not what is admired nowadays " admitted Poirot. "But no doubt they cost much money in their time. They look better by night, I think." "Yes, one sees only a white glimmering figure." Poirot murmured: "All cats are grey in the dark!" (Christie)

"I wish you would think of what I said to you the other day. Come over to America with us, and I will put you in the way of doing some business. You have got a very good head, if you will only use it." Valentin made a genial grimace. "My head is much obliged to you. Do you mean the place in a bank?" "There are several places, but I suppose you would consider the bank the most aristocratic." Valentin burst into a laugh. "My dear fellow, at night all cats are grey! When one derogates there are no degrees." (James)

He chuckled, "How can they help creating dismal works of art? You see they live in the twilight of capitalism ... and as we say, in the twilight all cats seem gray." (Ch. and D. Carter)

Russian translation

В темноте все кошки серы.
Все люди (предметы) темноте кажутся одинаковыми.

Variation

When candles are out all cats are grey.
All cats are grey at night.

Synonyms

Joan's as good as my lady in the dark.

Comparison

Ночью все кошки серы.
Ночью все кони вороные.
И урод ночью красавец.

When the cat is away, the mice will play

When the cat is away, the mice will play

Examples

Mr. Tulkinghorn, deceased, he held all these horses in his hand, and could have drove 'em his own way, I haven't a doubt; but he was fetched off the box head-foremost, and are all dragging and pulling their own ways. So it is, and such is life. The cat's away, and the mice they play. (Dickens)

What noise was that? Gramophone going in the kitchen! When the cat was away, the mice! People were all alike - take what they could get, and give as little as they could for it. (Galsworthy)

The only times they ever shot at me were at evening, from out of the bushes. I was within their range, but they were out of mine. Out of the range of my consciousness and will. That was why they had the courage to shoot. When the man's away, the bugs will play. (Huxley)

A piece of tinfoil on the pavement resisted the broom. I had to stoop down and lift it with a fingernail. Those assistant bank mice were really mousing the hour with Cat Baker away. (Steinbeck)

Russian translation

Когда кошки нет, мыши резвятся.
В отсутствие начальства или старшего лица подчиненные или младшие по возрасту (по положению) ведут себя более вольно.

Derivation

When the cat is away.

Variation

While the cat is away, the mice [may] play.
The cat is away, and the mice play.

Synonyms

The mouse lordships where a cat is not.
Sport as you may while the master's away.

Comparison

Кот из дома - мыши в пляс.
Мыши танцуют, когда кота не чуют.
Без кота мышам раздолье.

A cat may look at a king

A cat may look at a king

Examples

"You've been watching me for the last day or two. Why?" Lavington's eyes twinkled a little. "That's rather an awkward question. A cat can look at a king, you know." "Don't put me off. I'm in earnest. Why was it? I've a vital reason for asking" (Christie)

Waiting till he began to move away, she ran down the Mews and round the far corner to catch him. "Dinny! How wonderful!" "I was told I should catch you looking at the Queen." "Yes, that's what the cat has come to." (Galsworthy)

There was a ship model on the mantelshelf, and over it hung an old portrait of Peter the Great, who, you know, once gave the dockyard cats of Holland a fine chance to look at a king, which is one of the special prerogatives of cats. (Dodge)

"I beg him to speak out like a man; and not to look at me and my daughters as if he could eat us." "As to looking, I have heard it said, Mrs. Ned," returned Mr. George, angrily, "that a cat is free to contemplate a monarch." (Dickens)

Russian translation

Кошка может смотреть на короля.
И простые люди имеют свои права.
Смотреть ни на кого не возбраняется.

Variation

Synonyms
One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.

Comparison

Вольно псу и на владыку брехать.
Все равны под солнцем.
За погляд денег не берут.

A cat has nine lives

A cat has nine lives

Examples

In the name of God, why should the English take the trouble to inform a prostrate France that the cat had nine lives and that Benedictine was a sweet liqueur. (Tickell)

Martin nodded more soberly. "I agree," he said. "But Charles is not unlike a cat, you know, and he seems to have any number of lives. I have known him take risks before, and get away with them. He was probably travelling like the devil, for some whim of his own, just before he crashed this time, and, as Annette has just said, he's lucky to be alive." (Beaufort)

"It is a pig, sir; he's breathing." "Oh!" said Soames. "If a cat had nine how many lives had a pig?" "Where is he?" he said. "In the ditch, sir." (Galsworthy)

The countess whirled round with her usual vehemence of movement. "God in Heaven!" she cried. "It is the little man! Ah! But he has the nine lives of a cat!" (Christie)

Russian translation

У кошки девять жизней.
Все живое цепляется за жизнь.

Derivation

A cat with nine lives.
To have as many lives as a cat.
To have more lives than a cat.

Variation

A cat has nine lives and a woman has nine cat's lives.

Comparison

Живуч, как кошка.
На живом все заживает.
Живая кость обрастает мясом.

One cannot be too careful

One cannot be too careful

Examples

"Baldwin," he assured them, "will pull us through. He's a cautious old bird, but as wise as they make 'em. Just what we need. "You can't be too careful," that's got to be England's motto." (Wilson)

I was so afraid there might be something really wrong with the dear kiddy. I was telling Walter that you through it might be a chill. I'm so glad it wasn't, my dear. You can't be too careful with them, can you? (Priestley)

I was profoundly thankful that Jeeves had votes against my giving Florence a birthday present. Such a gift, if Stilton heard of it, would have led to his tearing me limb from limb or, at the best, summoning me for failing to abdate a smoky chimney. You can't be too careful how you stir up policeman (Wodehouse)

Russian translation

Невозможно быть слишком осторожным.
Даже самая большая осторожность не во вред: чем осторожнее человек, тем лучше.

Variation

You cannot be too careful.

Synonyms

Caution is the parent of safety.
Discretion is the better part of valour.
Look before you leap.

Comparison

Береженого бог бережет.
Не зная броду, не суйся в воду.
Осторожность - мать безопасности.

Care killed a cat

Care killed a cat

Russian translation

Забота убила кошку.
Заботы и тревоги погубят самого жизнеспособного человека.

Variation

Care will kill a cat.

Comparison

Не работа старит, а забота.
Кручина иссушит и лучину.
Беды да печали с ног скачали.

Examples

"What a fellow you are, Sylvanus; you don't seem capable of taking anything seriously." "Care killed a cat!" (Galsworthy)

It is said that "a cat has nine lives", yet care would wear them all out. (Brewer)

Lucky at cards, unlucky in love

Lucky at cards, unlucky in love

Russian translation

Везет в картах, не везет в любви.
Невезение в одной области деятельности компенсируется удачей в других.

Variation

Unlucky at cards, lucky in love.
Unlucky in love, lucky at play.

Synonyms

What you lose on the swings, you gain on the roundabouts.

Comparison

Кому везет в картах, тому не везет в любви.
Кому везет в любви, тому не везет в картах.

Examples

He took the car and drove in to Florence. He won quite a lot of money that day (lucky at cards, unlucky in love) and to celebrate his winning got more than a little drunk. (Maugham)

Yes. You see - I know you think I'm a fool. I know you've made up your mind to badger me until I've left Evan, and I don't mean to leave him. I can't watch you worrying yourself to death about me - it makes me feel worse. If I can't be lucky in love, perhaps I'll ... I might take to bridge. There will be compensations. (Johnson)

They had a little field of their own. All found the rich pay-dirt, but it was Cleve to whom the goddess of fortune turned her bright face. As he had been lucky at cards, so he was lucky at digging. His claim paid big returns. (Grey)

If the cap fits, wear it

If the cap fits, wear it

Russian translation

Если шапка впору - носите ее.
Если вы начинаете возражать против критических замечаний, принимая их на собственный счет, то , вероятно, они попали в цель.

Derivation

The cap fits. If the cap fits.

Variation

Those whom the cap fits, let them wear it.
If the shoe fits, wear it.

Synonyms

He that has a great nose thinks everyone is speaking of it.
He that commits a fault thinks everyone is speaks of it.

Comparison

На воре шапка горит.
Правда гоаза колет.
Не в бровь, а в глаз.

Examples

"I am sorry to say there are liars in our club." "Why should you say this of this of all things? I for one am not a liar." "Well, if the cap fits, wear it." (Waugh)

"I am afraid you are mercenary,Tom." "Mercenary," repeated Tom. "Who is not mercenary? Ask my sister." "Have you so proved it to be a failing of mine, Tom?" said Louisa, showing no other sense of his discontent and ill-nature. "You know whether the cap fits you, Loo," returned her brother sulkily. "If it does, you can wear it." (Dickens)

I am displeased, gentlemen, because I have told you that on my ship I expect excellent performance to be standard - and - well, it isn't standard ... Perhaps some of you feel that in your departments excellent performance is standard. Well, in that case I'm not addressing you. But those whom the shoe fits - well, they'd better get on the ball, that's all. (Wouk)

You can't eat your cake and have it

You can't eat your cake and have it

Russian translation

Нельзя съесть свой пирог и оставить его нетронутым.
Нельзя делать две взаимоисключающие вещи, пытаться совместить несовместимое.

Derivation

To eat one's cake and have it.

Variation

One can't eat one's cake and have it.
One can't have one's cake and kep it.

Synonyms

A man cannot spin and reel at the same time.
One cannot blow and swallow at the same time.

Comparison

Один пирог два раза не съешь.
С одного вола двух шкур не дерут.

Examples

By the way, about security and risk, I don't really believe that one can't have one's cake and eat it - which also you'll see. (Wilson)

The longer I live, the more I see the blessing of being born in a state of life where you can't both eat your cake and give it away! (Yonge)

Don't come tagging after me now, Deborah, offering me some half-baked yearning. I know what you want. You want to have your cake, eat it, and damn it while it's going down. I'm not responsible for your problems, Deborah. (McHugh)

When secretly tormented by a knowledge or a suspicion of their own limitations - it is surely because they do not accept that it is their own limitations that have made them what they are. They want to have their cake and eat other people's too. (Plomer)

Caesar's wife must be above suspicion

Caesar's wife must be above suspicion

Russian translation

Жена Цезаря должна быть выше подозрений.
Тот, кто непосредственно связан с великими людьми, должен иметь безупречную репутацию.

Derivation

Caesar's wife.

Variation

Caesar's wife should be above suspicion.

Examples

Lady (revolted). Suppose that packet contained a letter about your own wife?
Napoleon (offended, coming off the table). You are impertinent, madam.
Lady (humbly). I beg your pardon, Caesar's wife is above suspicion. (B. Shaw)

She then said: "That the father of Lizzie's child was a married man with children, who was being dismissed for his share in the matter. Is that true?" "I don't think so. The mother, Mrs. Judd, hinted something about a police constable, but that didn't surprise me. Those village Caesars are by no means above suspicion. He won't lose his job." (Aldington)

She said, "Of course the Commissioner must be above suspicion, mustn't he, like Caesar." (Her sayings, as well as her spelling, lacked accuracy.) (Greene)

"Have you courage, Madame? There is a great campaighn afoot - against your husband - and against yourself. You must prepare to defend yourself." She cried. "But it doesn't matter about me. Only about Edward!" Poirot said: "The one includes the other. Remember, Madame, you are Caesar's wife." (Christie)

Let bygones be bygones

Let bygones be bygones

Russian translation

Пусть прошлое останется в прошлом.
Не следует помнить прошлые обиды.

Variation

Bygones are bygones.
Bygones must be bygones.
Bygones shall be bygones.

Synonyms

Let the dead bury their dead.
Let all things past pass.
An injury forgiven is better than an injury revenged.

Comparison

Что было, то прошло [и быльем поросло]. Кто старое помянет, тому глаз вон.
Что было, то было.
Быль молодцу не укор.

Examples

"Irene," he said, "let bygones be bygones. If I can, surely you might. Let's begin again, as if nothing had been. Won't you?" (Galsworthy)

A slight mist clouded Guy's blue eyes as he took his wife's hand and answered gently, "Say no more, my dear; we'll let bygones be bygones." (Norris)

Well, I'm afraid she won't go back to Wimpole Street, especially now that Mr. Doolittle is able to keep up the position you have thrust on her; but she says she is quite wiling to meet you on friendly terms and to let bygones be bygones. (B. Shaw)

"You never liked Harry, did you?" he said softly. "After the way he behaved to you - " Simeon cackled. He said: "Oh, but bygones must be bygones. That's the spirit for Christmas." (Chrisie)

Everybody's business is nobody's business

Everybody's business is nobody's business

Russian translate

Дело всех - это ничье дело.
Если каким-либо делом занято несколько человек, то все они надеются друг на друга и выполняют его менее тщательно и ответственно или не выполняют совсем.

Variations

What is everybody's business is nobody's business.

Synonyms

Too many cooks spoil the broth.
Many commanders sink the ship.
A public hall is never swept.

Comparison

У семи нянек дитя без глазу.

Examples

Lysistrata. You mind your own business, Joe.
Magnus. Oh no: really, really, my dear Lysistrata, you must not take that line. Our business is to meddle is everybody's business. A Prime Minister is a busybody by profession. So is a monarch. So are we all.
Lysistrata. Well, they say everybody's business is nobody's business, which is just what Joe is fit for. (B. Shaw)

"Now I want allaya to remember that the policeman is your friend," he had concluded, and Selena recalled the look in the eyes of the shack-dwelling children. "Friend..." said the look. "Busybody minding everybody's business but his own." (Metalious)

Business is business

Business is business

Russian translation

Дело есть дело.
Нет ничего важнее дела.

Synonyms

Business before pleasure.
Business first, pleasure afterwards.

Comparison

Игра игрою, а дело делом.
Кончил дело- гуляй смело.

Examples

Whenever there was a contract to be entered upon, important move to be decided, or a representative of a manufactory to be sent anywhere to consummate a deal, Lester was the agent selected. His father trusted him implicitly, and so diplomatic and earnest was he in the fulfillment of his duties that this trust had never been impaired. "Business is business", was a favorite axiom with him (Dreiser)

He gets worse. Talk about rough riding or whatever they call it! He's the complete bouncing bounder. Business may be business, but give me a gentleman to deal with in it, every time. (Priestly)

I was surprised, I said, that Henry who had a real flair for publishing because he cared about books should be led into this sort of 'business is business' attitude that, if persevered in, would mean confining one's list to all the dullest books produced. (Wilson)

Business before pleasure

Business before pleasure

Russian translation

Сначала дело, потом удовольствие.
Дело прежде всего.

Variations

Business first, pleasure afterwards.
Business comes before pleasure.
Duty before pleasure.

Synonyms

Business is the salt of life.
Business is business.

Comparison

Кончил дело - гуляй смело.
Делу время, потехе час.

Examples

Max rose. "But, Rodney, aren't you staying for lunch? I thought ..." "I'm afraid I'll have to go. Business before pleasure, you know. McFadden Pulley need me." (Masters)

"Baines," he said, "will you take me for a walk this afternoon?" "No," Mrs. Baines said, "No! That he won't. Not with all the silver to clean." "There's a fortnight to do it in." Baines said. "Work first, pleasure afterwards." (Greene)

Whereupon, Jeeves, Miss Sipperley wrote back, saying that she quite realized that work must come before pleasure - pleasure being her loose way of describing the act of singing songs at the Beckley-on-the-Moor concert and getting the laugh from the local toughs. (Wodehouse)

A bully is always a coward

A bully is always a coward

Russian translation

Задира всегда трус.

Variation

Bullies are always cowards.

Synonyms

Cowards are cruel.
Cowardice is the mother of cruelty.

Comparison

Шкодлив, как кошка, а труслив, как заяц.
Молодец среди овец, а на молодца и сам овца.

Examples

Crampton. Yes! Yes! What harm will it do, just for once, M'Comas? Don't let us be spoil-sports.
M'Comas. Crampton, you are not the man I took you for. (Pointedly) Bullies are always cowards. (B. Shaw)

Yahmose, whom she despised as the meekest of men, had actually been the one to kill Nofret. It turned Satipy's world upside down. Like most bullying women, she was a coward. This new Yahmose terrified her. (Christie)

Too eager caution shows some danger's near,
The bully's bluster proves the coward's fear. (Crabbe)

Every bullet has its billet

Every bullet has its billet

Russian translation

У каждой пули свое назначение.
В жизни нет ничего слуяайного - что ни делается, все имеет свою цель и назначение.

Synonyms

What will be, will be.
No flying from fate.

Comparison

От судьбы не уйдешь.
Чему быть, того не миновать.
Пуля виновного найдет.
От смерти не откупишься.

Examples

"And are you not afraid that she may be left a widow while still a young woman? What between wild beasts and wilder savages, Pathfinder may be said to carry his life in his hand." "Every bullet has its billet, Lundie ... and no man in the 55th can call himself beyond, or above, the chances of sudden death." (Cooper)

Why did I fall in love with Rozzie? Most men fall in love because they want to; that's why they can't be stopped. But I didn't want to fall in love with either Sara or Rozzie. I wanted to get on with my work. I was the victim of circumstances. Every billet has its bullet, there's a fatal woman for every man. Luckily he doesn't often meet her. (Cary)

A new broom sweeps clean

A new broom sweeps clean

Russian translation

Новая метла метет чисто.
Новое начальство рьяно принимается за работу, часто радикально меняя все порядки.

Derivation

A new broom.

Variation

New broom sweeps clean.

Synonyms

New lords, new laws.

Comparison

Новая метла чисто метет.

Examples

"Wait until the major hears about it," Hearne went on. "The new broom sweeps clean, too clean. I hope you'll enjoy your new command after this." That was a double-edged barb. Deichgraber as a visitor to Mont Saint-Michel had not even the privilege of being a new broom. (Maclnnes)

The horseman smiled. "The Bishop times his visit well, Martinmas, and fresh meat killed for his dinner. He'll sleep with his belly full, you've no cause to worry." "No cause for worry?" The Prior's petulant voice touched a higher key. "You think, I can control my unruly mob? What kind of impression will they make upon that new broom of a Bishop, primed as he is to sweep the whole Diocese clean?" (du Maurier)

Mrs. Ruddle, who as far as the Whitneys were concerned, was a new broom, had made a clean and determined sweep of the sitting-room, draping all the uglier pieces of furniture with particular care in dust-sheets. (Sayers)

"One little stranger," he murmured, "seems to be new-brooming away next door." "That's right, sir," said Bob. "Settled in rather nice." (Marsh)

Don't cross the bridges before you come to them

Don't cross the bridges before you come to them

Russian translation

Не переходи мостов, пока к ним не подойдешь.
Не пытайся разрешить вопросы, которые еще не назрели.

Derivation

To cross the bridges before one comes to them.

Variation

Don't cross the bridge till you get to it.

Synonyms

Never jump your fences till you meet them.
Don't cry out before you are hurt.
All in good time.

Comparison

Всему свой черед.
Всякому овощу свое время.
Все в свой срок: придет времячко, вырастет из семячка.

Examples

When it dawned upon us, we gazed at each other incredulously. "It can't be," I said slowly. "It's impossible" "It could be," she answered, logically. "And it is just possible." I pressed both hands to my head ... "For God's sake," I said, "don't let's cross bridges before we come to them. We've weeks of work yet before we make the final antigen test." (Cronin)

"I suppose," said Martin, "that if more evidence really did turn up, we might conceivably have to consider reopening the case, mightn't we?" "Ah well," said Crawford, "we don't have to cross that bridge till we come to it. Speaking as a member of our small society, I've never been fond of hypothetical situations involving ourselves." (Snow)

I had over fifteen hundred pounds in the bank and thought it would keep me five years and allow me to return to the States to begin my life's work with at least a thousand pounds in my pocket. But was I going back to America? I had to confess to myself that the malarial fever in the States daunted me; besides I liked England better and so put off any decision. Already the proverb influenced me: not to cross a river till you come to it. (Harris)

It was unbelievable.. There had been no hesitation, no bridges to cross; they had come together... This was complete fulfillment. (Susann)

As you brew, so must you drink

As you brew, so must you drink

Russian translation

Что ты заварил, то и пить должен.
Каждый должен отвечать за последствия своих поступков и поведения.

Variations

One must drink as one brews.
As they brew so let them bake.
As you brew, so you will bake.

Synonyms

You have made your bed, and you must lie on it.
As a man sows, so shall he reap.
As a tree falls, so shall it lie.

Comparison

Что посеешь, то и пожнешь.
Сам заварил кашу, сам и расхлебывай.
Как постелешь, так и поспишь.

Examples

"Don't talk to me of agreements! You could has helped it!" the Squire snared. "Only you would go on! You went in against my advice! And for the agreement, who but a fool would has signed such an agreement? No, you may go, my lad. As you has brewed you may bake! You may go!" (Weyman)

"What would Moore have done, if nobody had helped him?" asked Shirley. "Drunk as he'd brewed - eaten as he'd baked" "Which means you would have left him by himself to face that mob." (Ch. Bronte)

None of them seemed the least ashamed of never having a word to throw at anyone outside the pocket, except its owner, and the rest of Europe seemed by common consent to take no notice of them. And all the while each one, and the contents of its pocket, was, like enough - so thought Mr. Challis - the center of an incubation of memories that were to last a lifetime. "As they bake, so they will brew," philosophized Mr. Challis to himself, and clouded over a little as he remembered that he, too, was in the twenties. (Morgan)

Brevity is the soul of wit

Brevity is the soul of wit

Russian translation

Краткость - душа ума.
Кратко выраженная мысль ясна и доходчива.

Synonyms

The less people think, the more they talk.

Comparison

Краткость - сестра таланта.
Словам тесно, да мыслям просторно.
Коротко да ясно, оттого и прекрасно.

Examples

Polonius. ...since brevity is the soul of wit,
And tediousness the limbs and outward flourished,
I will be brief. (Shakespeare)

Making every allowance for the customs of a House where Bills can still, it seems, be talked out, and members are obliged to speak lest other members should speak in place of them, there is still a rich margin of need for that considered brevity which, if not the soul of wit, is at least an aid to good and vigorous English, and a guarantee against sleep. (Galsworthy)

She had no gift for epigram. She never made a brilliant repartee. There was no malice in her remarks nor sting in her rejoinders. There are those who think that impropriety, rather than brevity, is the soul of wit; but she never said a thing that could have brought a blush to a Victorian cheek. (Maugham)

"My mother is thinking of getting married" ... "You see, it's quite two years since her last husband died." "You evidently think that brevity is the soul of widowhood." (Munro)