Bedeutung
to run extremely quickly.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase is a staple in 19th-century literature (Pushkin, Tolstoy) to describe characters in moments of crisis or high emotion. In 'Nu, Pogodi!', the Wolf is almost always running 'со всех ног' after the Hare, making this phrase very familiar to children. In cities like Moscow, the phrase is often used regarding the 'last train' of the Metro, which is a common cultural touchstone for being in a hurry. In Russian fairy tales, Ivan Tsarevich often runs 'со всех ног' to escape Baba Yaga or the Dragon.
Use with 'побежать'
If you want to say you *started* running fast, use the prefix 'по-': 'Я побежал со всех ног'.
Don't use for cars
Even though cars have wheels (like legs), we don't say a car 'бежит со всех ног'. Use 'мчится' or 'едет очень быстро'.
Bedeutung
to run extremely quickly.
Use with 'побежать'
If you want to say you *started* running fast, use the prefix 'по-': 'Я побежал со всех ног'.
Don't use for cars
Even though cars have wheels (like legs), we don't say a car 'бежит со всех ног'. Use 'мчится' or 'едет очень быстро'.
The 'Legs' Logic
Russian uses 'ноги' (legs) for many speed idioms. If you see 'ноги' in a phrase, check if it's about speed!
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Когда я увидел, что мой поезд уезжает, я побежал ___ ___ ___.
The correct form is 'со всех ног' (Genitive plural with the preposition 'со').
Which verb is most commonly used with this idiom?
Он ___ со всех ног к финишу.
The idiom is specifically 'бежать со всех ног'.
Match the situation to the most appropriate use of the phrase.
In which situation would you say 'Я бежал со всех ног'?
The phrase implies physical running due to urgency.
Complete the dialogue.
— Почему ты так тяжело дышишь? — Я ___, чтобы успеть на этот урок!
Heavy breathing is a result of running 'со всех ног'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenКогда я увидел, что мой поезд уезжает, я побежал ___ ___ ___.
The correct form is 'со всех ног' (Genitive plural with the preposition 'со').
Он ___ со всех ног к финишу.
The idiom is specifically 'бежать со всех ног'.
In which situation would you say 'Я бежал со всех ног'?
The phrase implies physical running due to urgency.
— Почему ты так тяжело дышишь? — Я ___, чтобы успеть на этот урок!
Heavy breathing is a result of running 'со всех ног'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt's a bit informal for a very formal email, but in a friendly Slack message to a colleague, it's perfect to show you are working quickly.
Always 'со всех ног'. The 'о' is necessary for the flow of the consonants.
It's much stronger than 'fast'. It means 'at the limit of your speed'.
Yes, it's very common to describe dogs, horses, or cats running fast.
Not at all. It's a very standard, neutral idiom.
The opposite would be 'ползти как черепаха' (to crawl like a tortoise).
No, that makes no sense in Russian. Only legs!
Yes, very often to explain why someone is tired or why they arrived late/early.
Metaphorically, yes: 'Время бежит со всех ног' (Time is flying).
No, unlike 'сломя голову', it doesn't necessarily imply you are about to fall, just that you are running hard.
Verwandte Redewendungen
во весь дух
synonymwith all one's spirit/breath
сломя голову
similarat breakneck speed
одна нога здесь, другая там
builds onbe back in a flash
черепашьим шагом
contrastat a snail's pace
