Posted on July 20th, 2011
Hi and welcome to Russian Slang and Idioms Lesson 36! Have fun!
Доводить до ума [da-va-DIT’ da oo-MA]
Today’s first idiom доводить до ума means to complete something, usually a task.
Example:
Помогите довести проект до ума, пожалуйста.
[pa-ma-GEE-ty da-vis-TEE pra-EKT da oo-MA, pa-ZHA-looy-sta]
Please help me to complete the project.
Качать права [ka-CHAT’ pra-VA]
Качать права means to try to prove that you are right.
Example:
Подростки любят качать права.
[pad-ROST-kee LYOO-byat ka-CHAT’ pra-VA]
Teenagers like to prove that they are right.
Делать из мухи слона [DYE-lat’ iz MOO-hee sla-NA]
Делать из мухи слона can be translated literally as “to create an elephant out of a fly”, in other words it means to strongly exaggerate.
Example:
Не делай из мухи слона!
[ni DYE-lay iz MOO-hee sla-NA]
Don’t exaggerate!
Here is the test:
1. Now, answer this question, and be honest! : Do you like “Качать права”? 
2. What does “доводить до ума” mean?
3. Please use the idiom you have just learned to translate into Russian: “Don’t exaggerate!”
See you soon!
Viktoria.
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- How Valentine’s Day is Celebrated in Russia
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