B1 Idiom Informal

во все лопатки

во все лопатки

at full speed

Significado

As fast as possible.

🌍

Contexto cultural

This phrase is a staple in 19th-century literature (Pushkin, Gogol, Tolstoy) to describe the movement of horses and carriages. The idiom reflects a time when horses were the lifeblood of the village, and everyone knew the signs of a horse working at its limit. Despite its rural origins, it's now used for cars, subways, and even internet speeds in a humorous way. Often appears in fairy tales (skazki) when a hero is escaping a villain like Baba Yaga.

🎯

Pair with 'нестись'

While 'бежать' is fine, using 'нестись во все лопатки' sounds much more native and expressive.

⚠️

Don't change the number

Never say 'в лопатку' (singular). It's always plural 'лопатки'.

Significado

As fast as possible.

🎯

Pair with 'нестись'

While 'бежать' is fine, using 'нестись во все лопатки' sounds much more native and expressive.

⚠️

Don't change the number

Never say 'в лопатку' (singular). It's always plural 'лопатки'.

💬

Use for humor

You can use it to describe a small pet (like a hamster) running in its wheel to sound funny and hyperbolic.

Ponte a prueba

Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.

Мы опаздывали на самолёт и бежали по аэропорту во все ______.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: лопатки

'Во все лопатки' is the correct fixed idiom for running fast.

Which verb is MOST commonly used with 'во все лопатки'?

Выберите подходящий глагол:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: нестись

'Нестись' (to rush/dash) is a verb of motion that perfectly matches the intensity of the idiom.

Match the situation to the most appropriate use of the phrase.

В какой ситуации лучше всего сказать 'во все лопатки'?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Вы убегаете от внезапного ливня.

The phrase implies urgent, fast movement, which fits escaping the rain.

🎉 Puntuación: /3

Ayudas visuales

Banco de ejercicios

3 ejercicios
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom. Fill Blank B1

Мы опаздывали на самолёт и бежали по аэропорту во все ______.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: лопатки

'Во все лопатки' is the correct fixed idiom for running fast.

Which verb is MOST commonly used with 'во все лопатки'? Choose A2

Выберите подходящий глагол:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: нестись

'Нестись' (to rush/dash) is a verb of motion that perfectly matches the intensity of the idiom.

Match the situation to the most appropriate use of the phrase. situation_matching B1

В какой ситуации лучше всего сказать 'во все лопатки'?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Вы убегаете от внезапного ливня.

The phrase implies urgent, fast movement, which fits escaping the rain.

🎉 Puntuación: /3

Preguntas frecuentes

4 preguntas

Yes, you can say 'Машина неслась во все лопатки', though it's a bit more metaphorical since cars don't have shoulder blades.

Not at all. It's just informal and very descriptive. It's safe to use with friends and family.

It's for phonetic reasons. Russian adds an 'o' to 'в' when the next word starts with a difficult cluster of consonants like 'вс'.

Absolutely! It's a very common idiom in modern spoken Russian.

Frases relacionadas

🔄

во весь дух

synonym

With all one's spirit/breath.

🔗

сломя голову

similar

Headlong / recklessly fast.

🔗

со всех ног

similar

With all one's legs.

🔗

черепашьим шагом

contrast

At a snail's (turtle's) pace.

¿Te ha servido?
¡No hay comentarios todavía. Sé el primero en compartir tus ideas!