Master Russian Idioms and Proverbs: Enhance Your Language Skills

Question 1

Translate the Russian proverb «Тяжело в учении, легко в бою» into English.

Accepted Answer

Hard work in learning leads to ease in battle.

Answer

Ease in learning leads to hardship in battle.

Answer

Learning is difficult, battle is easy.

Answer

Battle is difficult, learning is easy.

Question 2

What is the correct meaning of the Russian proverb "Москва не сразу строилась"?

Accepted Answer

Nothing happens quickly.

Answer

Moscow is an important city.

Answer

Moscow is the oldest city in Russia.

Question 3

Analyze the similarities and differences between the English idiom «kick the bucket» and its Russian counterpart «отдать Богу душу». Consider their meanings and cultural significance.

Accepted Answer

They both refer to death, but differ in imagery and cultural context.

Answer

They have the same meaning and can be used interchangeably.

Answer

«Kick the bucket» is more formal than «отдать Богу душу».

Question 4

Translate the Russian proverb “В тихом омуте черти водятся” into English.

Accepted Answer

Still waters run deep.

Answer

A fool and his money are soon parted.

Answer

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Answer

A leopard cannot change its spots.

Question 5

Which of the following is the correct Russian idiom for “hit the nail on the head”?

Accepted Answer

Попасть в точку

Answer

Слова на слова

Answer

Бить в колокол

Answer

Делать дело

Question 6

Which of the following is the correct Russian proverb for “a penny saved is a penny earned”?

Accepted Answer

Копейка рубль бережет

Answer

Слова на слова

Answer

Все один раз один

Answer

Неделя в спешит не ломаются

Question 7

Translate the Russian proverb “Здоровье дороже богатства” into English.

Accepted Answer

Health is more precious than wealth.

Answer

A leopard cannot change its spots.

Answer

A fool and his money are soon parted.

Answer

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Question 8

Translate the idiom "бить баклуши" into English:

Accepted Answer

to twiddle one's thumbs

Answer

to kick the bucket

Answer

to pull the wool over someone's eyes

Answer

to break a leg

Question 9

Which proverb conveys the idea that one should not procrastinate?

Accepted Answer

Не откладывай на завтра то, что можно сделать сегодня.

Answer

Не все коту масленица.

Answer

Тише едешь - дальше будешь.

Answer

С волками жить - по-волчьи выть.

Question 10

What is the Russian equivalent of the English idiom "to spill the beans"?

Accepted Answer

Выпустить кота из мешка.

Answer

Куда Макар телят не гонял.

Answer

После дождичка в четверг.

Answer

Как с гуся вода.

Question 11

Translate the proverb "Тише едешь - дальше будешь" into English:

Accepted Answer

Slow and steady wins the race.

Answer

The early bird catches the worm.

Answer

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Answer

All that glitters is not gold.

Question 12

Which idiom best describes the idea of being in a difficult situation?

Accepted Answer

Между молотом и наковальней.

Answer

На седьмом небе от счастья.

Answer

Как сыр в масле кататься.

Answer

За двумя зайцами погонишься - ни одного не поймаешь.

Question 13

What is the Russian equivalent of the English idiom "curiosity killed the cat"?

Accepted Answer

Любопытство сгубило кошку.

Answer

Не всё то золото, что блестит.

Answer

Тише едешь - дальше будешь.

Question 14

Translate the Russian idiom "держать язык за зубами" into English:

Accepted Answer

to hold one's tongue

Answer

to speak one's mind freely

Answer

to be quick-witted

Answer

to have a silver tongue

Question 15

Which proverb emphasizes the value of planning and preparation?

Accepted Answer

Семь раз отмерь, один раз отрежь.

Answer

Назвался груздем - полезай в кузов.

Answer

Поспешишь - людей насмешишь.

Answer

Первый блин - комом.

Question 16

What is the Russian idiom that means "to be on cloud nine"?

Accepted Answer

На седьмом небе от счастья.

Answer

Радоваться как слон.

Answer

Жить припеваючи.

Answer

Как сыр в масле кататься.

Question 17

Choose the correct meaning of the proverb "Still waters run deep".

Accepted Answer

Quiet people can be very intelligent or knowledgeable.

Answer

Beware of those who are always talking.

Answer

It is better to be seen than heard.

Question 18

Identify the idiom that matches the definition: "To have a lot of money or expensive things."

Accepted Answer

Be rolling in dough

Answer

Kick the bucket

Answer

Fly the coop

Answer

Break a leg

Question 19

Translate the proverb "The grass is always greener on the other side" into Russian.

Accepted Answer

На чужой стороне и трава зеленее

Answer

У страха глаза велики

Answer

На безрыбье и рак рыба

Answer

Своя рубашка ближе к телу

Question 20

Identify the proverb that signifies that honesty is the most reliable course of action.

Accepted Answer

Truth will out

Answer

A friend in need is a friend indeed.

Answer

The grass is always greener on the other side.

Answer

All that glitters is not gold.

Question 21

Translate the idiom "to spill the beans" into Russian.

Accepted Answer

выдать секрет

Answer

наступить на грабли

Answer

посыпать солью

Answer

разбить тарелку

Question 22

Choose the correct interpretation of the proverb "A rolling stone gathers no moss".

Accepted Answer

Individuals who are constantly moving or changing may not accumulate stability or wealth.

Answer

It is important to remain in one place and amass possessions.

Answer

Change is always beneficial and leads to success.

Question 23

Translate the proverb "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree" into Russian.

Accepted Answer

Яблоко от яблони недалеко падает

Answer

Гнилое яблоко портит всю корзину

Answer

Яблоко раздора

Answer

Не все то золото, что блестит

Question 24

Translate the proverb 'A rolling stone gathers no moss'.

Accepted Answer

Катящийся камень мхом не обрастает

Answer

Копейка рубль бережет

Answer

Лиха беда начало

Question 25

Which idiom describes someone who complains excessively?

Accepted Answer

Вечно ныть

Answer

Нести чушь

Answer

Кусать локти

Answer

Валять дурака

Question 26

Translate the idiom 'to beat around the bush'.

Accepted Answer

Ходить вокруг да около

Answer

Считать ворон

Answer

Бросать слова на ветер

Answer

Ломать голову

Question 27

Which proverb cautions against relying solely on appearances?

Accepted Answer

Не все то золото, что блестит

Answer

У страха глаза велики

Answer

Семеро одного не ждут

Answer

Тише едешь - дальше будешь

Question 28

Translate the idiom 'to be over the moon' into Russian.

Accepted Answer

быть на седьмом небе от счастья

Answer

ловить рыбу в мутной воде

Answer

бить баклуши

Answer

зарубить на носу

Question 29

Translate the proverb 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush'.

Accepted Answer

Лучше синица в руках, чем журавль в небе

Answer

Семеро одного не ждут

Answer

Не все то золото, что блестит

Answer

Тише едешь - дальше будешь

Question 30

Which idiom describes someone who is very quiet?

Accepted Answer

молчун

Answer

ворчун

Answer

хвастун

Answer

зануда

Question 31

Translate the idiom 'to be all ears'.

Accepted Answer

внимать

Answer

вылететь в трубу

Answer

чесать языком

Answer

остаться с носом

Question 32

Select the correct Russian idiom that means "to be very busy":

Accepted Answer

крутиться как белка в колесе

Answer

ловить рыбу в мутной воде

Answer

бить баклуши

Answer

водить за нос

Question 33

Which Russian proverb best conveys the idea of "knowledge is power"?

Accepted Answer

Знание - сила

Answer

Незваный гость хуже татарина

Answer

На чужой каравай рот не разевай

Question 34

Translate the Russian idiom "бить баклуши" into English:

Accepted Answer

To shirk

Answer

To pull someone's leg

Answer

To catch fish in troubled waters

Answer

To be on the horns of a dilemma

Question 35

Translate the Russian proverb "На чужой каравай рот не разевай" into English:

Accepted Answer

Don't covet what belongs to others

Answer

A stitch in time saves nine

Answer

All good things must come to an end

Answer

The early bird catches the worm

Question 36

Which Russian idiom is similar in meaning to the English phrase "to be on cloud nine"?

Accepted Answer

быть на седьмом небе от счастья

Answer

попасть пальцем в небо

Answer

вилами по воде писано

Answer

как сыр в масле кататься

Question 37

Which English idiom is the closest translation of the Russian idiom "ловить рыбу в мутной воде"?

Accepted Answer

To fish in troubled waters

Answer

To burn the candle at both ends

Answer

To beat around the bush

Answer

To make a mountain out of a molehill

Question 38

Which Russian proverb advises against interfering in other people's business?

Accepted Answer

Не суй свой нос в чужие дела

Answer

Своя рубашка ближе к телу

Answer

Семь раз отмерь, один отрежь

Answer

Язык мой - враг мой

Question 39

What is the best English translation for the Russian idiom "попасть пальцем в небо"?

Accepted Answer

To miss the mark

Answer

To jump the gun

Answer

To have a finger in every pie

Answer

To be in the clouds

Question 40

Which Russian proverb highlights the importance of honesty as the best policy?

Accepted Answer

Честность - лучшая политика

Answer

Кто рано встает, тому Бог дает

Answer

Не все золото, что блестит

Answer

На безрыбье и рак рыба

Question 41

Which proverb emphasizes the importance of being prepared for unexpected situations?

Accepted Answer

На всякий случай не напасёшься.

Answer

Незваный гость хуже татарина.

Answer

Поспешишь — людей насмешишь.

Answer

Без труда не вытащишь и рыбку из пруда.

Question 42

What does the Russian idiom "Держать ухо востро" mean?

Accepted Answer

To be cautious

Answer

To be silent

Answer

To speak out

Answer

To be persistent

Question 43

What is the meaning of the Russian proverb "Москва слезам не верит."

Accepted Answer

Moscow does not believe in tears.

Answer

Moscow is a place of hope.

Answer

Moscow is a city of tears.

Answer

Tears are useless in Moscow.

Question 44

Which idiom describes someone who is constantly complaining?

Accepted Answer

Хныкать в жилетку

Answer

Держать язык за зубами

Answer

Видеть насквозь

Answer

Водить за нос

Question 45

What is the English equivalent of the Russian proverb "Скупой платит дважды."

Accepted Answer

A miser pays twice.

Answer

Money talks.

Answer

A fool and his money are soon parted.

Answer

Time is money.

Question 46

Which English idiom is equivalent to the Russian idiom "Жить как сыр в масле"?

Accepted Answer

To live the high life

Answer

To live from hand to mouth

Answer

To live on the breadline

Answer

To be over the moon

Question 47

Identify the correct English translation of the Russian proverb "Тише едешь — дальше будешь."

Accepted Answer

Slow and steady wins the race.

Answer

The early bird catches the worm.

Answer

Time and tide wait for no man.

Answer

Haste makes waste.

Question 48

Which Russian idiom best describes someone who is very forgetful?

Accepted Answer

Парить в облаках

Answer

Считать ворон

Answer

Водить за нос

Answer

Ломать голову

Question 49

Translate the Russian proverb "За двумя зайцами погонишься — ни одного не поймаешь."

Accepted Answer

You can't have your cake and eat it too.

Answer

The grass is always greener on the other side.

Answer

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Answer

Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Question 50

Which Russian idiom literally means "to choke on a pancake" but figuratively means to take offense easily?

Accepted Answer

Обижаться на пустяки

Answer

Ссориться с кем-то

Answer

Говорить неправду

Answer

Быть жадным

Question 51

Which Russian proverb conveys the message that it's better to be safe than sorry?

Accepted Answer

Береженого Бог бережет

Answer

Копейка рубль бережет

Answer

Тише едешь - дальше будешь

Answer

Не в свои сани не садись

Question 52

Which idiom means "to be in a bad mood or have a negative attitude"?

Accepted Answer

Хмурый как туча

Answer

Злой как собака

Answer

Веселый как воробей

Answer

Льстивый как лиса

Question 53

Which idiom describes someone who is very stubborn?

Accepted Answer

Упрямый как осел

Answer

Голодный как волк

Answer

Хитрый как лиса

Answer

Боязливый как заяц

Question 54

Which proverb suggests that honesty is the best policy?

Accepted Answer

Правда глаза колет

Answer

Не суди о книге по обложке

Answer

Терпение и труд все перетрут

Answer

Не обманешь - не продашь

Question 55

Which idiom means "to be very slow or lazy"?

Accepted Answer

Медленный как черепаха

Answer

Глупый как пробка

Answer

Быстрый как молния

Answer

Легкий как пух

Question 56

Which proverb emphasizes the importance of perseverance?

Accepted Answer

Терпение и труд все перетрут

Answer

Семь раз отмерь, один раз отрежь

Answer

Тише едешь - дальше будешь

Answer

Кто рано встает, тому Бог дает

Question 57

Which idiom describes someone who is very clumsy or awkward?

Accepted Answer

Косолапый как медведь

Answer

Злой как собака

Answer

Быстрый как молния

Answer

Глупый как пробка

Question 58

Which proverb advises against comparing oneself to others?

Accepted Answer

Не суди о книге по обложке

Answer

Копейка рубль бережет

Answer

Терпение и труд все перетрут

Answer

Семь раз отмерь, один раз отрежь