Significado
To trick someone skillfully.
Contexto cultural
The 'trickster' figure is a staple of Russian literature. Ostap Bender, the protagonist of 'The Twelve Chairs,' is the ultimate master of 'leading people around his finger.' He is often viewed as a romantic hero despite being a con man. During the Soviet period, people often had to use 'хитрость' (cunning) to obtain scarce goods. 'Leading the system around one's finger' was sometimes seen as a necessary survival skill. With the rise of Telegram and VK scams, the phrase has seen a resurgence in digital warnings. It's frequently used in 'cyber-hygiene' articles. In fairy tales, the character 'Лиса Патрикеевна' (the Fox) is the one who always leads the Wolf and other animals around her finger.
Use the Perfective
In 90% of cases, you'll want to use 'обвести' (perfective) because you're usually talking about a trick that already happened or a specific plan.
The English Trap
Never use this to mean 'I have him under my control.' It will sound like you are admitting to being a criminal or a liar.
Significado
To trick someone skillfully.
Use the Perfective
In 90% of cases, you'll want to use 'обвести' (perfective) because you're usually talking about a trick that already happened or a specific plan.
The English Trap
Never use this to mean 'I have him under my control.' It will sound like you are admitting to being a criminal or a liar.
Admiring Cunning
Sometimes, Russians use this with a smile to mean 'Wow, that was a clever move.' It's not always 100% negative.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'обвести' and the noun 'палец'.
Он был таким хитрым, что легко _____ (past tense) меня вокруг _____.
The subject 'он' requires the masculine past tense 'обвёл'. The preposition 'вокруг' requires the Genitive case 'пальца'.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'обвести вокруг пальца'?
Выберите ситуацию:
Situation B involves a clever deception for profit, which is the core meaning of the idiom.
Match the Russian idiom with its English equivalent or meaning.
Сопоставьте пары:
These are three distinct types of manipulation in Russian.
Complete the dialogue using the idiom.
— Ты слышал? Марк сказал, что он миллионер! — Не верь ему, он просто хочет _____.
While 'а' and 'в' are possible, 'б' is the most natural way to describe a clever lie about one's status.
Match the register to the sentence.
Сопоставьте регистр:
Shows the difference between official language, standard idiom, and street slang.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Ayudas visuales
Around the Finger vs. By the Nose
Banco de ejercicios
5 ejerciciosОн был таким хитрым, что легко _____ (past tense) меня вокруг _____.
The subject 'он' requires the masculine past tense 'обвёл'. The preposition 'вокруг' requires the Genitive case 'пальца'.
Выберите ситуацию:
Situation B involves a clever deception for profit, which is the core meaning of the idiom.
Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:
These are three distinct types of manipulation in Russian.
— Ты слышал? Марк сказал, что он миллионер! — Не верь ему, он просто хочет _____.
While 'а' and 'в' are possible, 'б' is the most natural way to describe a clever lie about one's status.
Сопоставьте регистр:
Shows the difference between official language, standard idiom, and street slang.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt's not rude, but it is informal. It's perfectly fine for friends, but don't use it in a formal report to your boss.
'Водить за нос' is about wasting time and making false promises. 'Вокруг пальца' is about a clever, quick trick.
No, the idiom is fixed in the singular: 'вокруг пальца'.
Yes! If you play a clever joke on a friend, you can say 'Я тебя обвёл вокруг пальца!'
Not necessarily, but it does imply they were 'доверчивый' (trusting) or 'простодушный' (simple-minded).
Use the passive-ish construction: 'Меня обвели вокруг пальца.'
Yes, use 'ввести в заблуждение' (to lead into delusion/error).
Only informally with colleagues. In a contract dispute, use 'недобросовестные действия'.
Using it to mean 'romantic control' because of the English 'wrapped around my finger.'
Yes, very often, especially in tabloid-style news about scams.
Frases relacionadas
водить за нос
similarTo deceive by making false promises or stalling.
оставить в дураках
builds onTo make a fool of someone.
втирать очки
synonymTo bluff or present something in a false light.
вешать лапшу на уши
informalTo lie or tell tall tales.
разводить / развести
slangTo scam or con.
