Significado
To escape from danger very quickly.
Contexto cultural
In many Slavic tales, looking back while fleeing a monster (like Baba Yaga) would cause the hero to lose their strength or be caught. This created a cultural association between 'not looking back' and 'successful escape.' In big cities like Moscow, this phrase is often used to describe the fast-paced nature of life and how people 'flee' to their dachas (summer houses) on weekends to escape the stress. Classic authors use this phrase to show a character's internal panic. It's a tool for psychological depth, showing that the character is overwhelmed by fear. In many Soviet-era comedies, characters 'бегут без оглядки' from comical situations, making the phrase feel familiar and slightly nostalgic for many Russians.
Use with 'убежать'
The prefix 'у-' means 'away.' Pairing it with this idiom ('убежать без оглядки') makes your Russian sound very natural when describing an escape.
Don't use for sports
If you are running a 100m sprint, don't say you are running 'без оглядки' unless a tiger is chasing you on the track!
Significado
To escape from danger very quickly.
Use with 'убежать'
The prefix 'у-' means 'away.' Pairing it with this idiom ('убежать без оглядки') makes your Russian sound very natural when describing an escape.
Don't use for sports
If you are running a 100m sprint, don't say you are running 'без оглядки' unless a tiger is chasing you on the track!
Metaphorical use
Use this to describe quitting something permanently. 'Я бросил курить без оглядки' (I quit smoking without looking back/hesitation).
Drama level
This is a high-drama phrase. Use it when you want to emphasize how much you wanted to get away.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing word in the idiom.
Когда медведь вышел из леса, туристы побежали без ________.
The correct form is 'без оглядки'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Choose the correct usage:
The idiom is used for escaping danger or a bad situation, not for being late or jogging in a park.
Match the situation to the most likely reaction.
You are at a party and your ex-partner walks in with a new date. You want to leave immediately.
This idiom perfectly describes a quick, definitive escape from an awkward situation.
Complete the dialogue.
— Почему ты уволился из той фирмы? — Там была ужасная атмосфера. Я ...
Using 'ушёл' (left) with 'без оглядки' shows you left a bad job and didn't look back.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Speed Idioms
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosКогда медведь вышел из леса, туристы побежали без ________.
The correct form is 'без оглядки'.
Choose the correct usage:
The idiom is used for escaping danger or a bad situation, not for being late or jogging in a park.
You are at a party and your ex-partner walks in with a new date. You want to leave immediately.
This idiom perfectly describes a quick, definitive escape from an awkward situation.
— Почему ты уволился из той фирмы? — Там была ужасная атмосфера. Я ...
Using 'ушёл' (left) with 'без оглядки' shows you left a bad job and didn't look back.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
12 preguntasNo, it's almost exclusively used in this idiom. You won't hear someone say 'У меня была хорошая оглядка.'
Yes! You can say 'Он уехал на машине без оглядки.' It still means he fled quickly.
'Без оглядки' focuses on leaving something behind. 'Сломя голову' focuses on the dangerous speed.
It's neutral. It's fine for a story or a conversation, but maybe not for a legal document.
No, that sounds very strange. Stick to 'без оглядки'.
Usually, but it can also mean a very strong desire to leave a boring or unpleasant place.
Remember the 'д' in the middle. It comes from 'глядеть' (to look).
Yes: 'Если он придёт, я побегу без оглядки!'
Yes, 'оглядываться в прошлое' means to look back at the past (nostalgically).
Absolutely. 'Заяц убежал без оглядки.'
Don't use 'без оглядки.' Use 'бежать со всех ног' or 'спешить'.
Not at all. It's used every day in modern Russian.
Frases relacionadas
сломя голову
similarHeadlong / recklessly fast
уносить ноги
synonymTo save one's skin / to escape
дать дёру
informalTo bolt
с оглядкой на
contrastWith an eye toward / cautiously
только пятки сверкают
similarRunning so fast your heels sparkle
