معنی
Nothing can be taken from someone.
زمینه فرهنگی
The phrase reflects a historical skepticism toward the legal system. In Russia, there is a saying: 'Закон — что дышло: куда повернёшь, туда и вышло' (The law is like a wagon tongue: whichever way you turn it, that's where it goes). 'Взятки гладки' is the verbal equivalent of that shrug. In many post-Soviet countries, this phrase is used to describe the 'untouchability' of high-ranking officials who are protected by their status, even if their actions are clearly wrong. Classic writers like Gogol and Saltykov-Shchedrin used this phrase to satirize the Russian bureaucracy of the 19th century, where officials were technically 'clean' while being morally corrupt. Today, it's often used when discussing 'Terms of Service' (EULA). Russians might say 'с них взятки гладки' about Google or Apple because their legal agreements are so airtight.
Use it with a shrug
This idiom is often accompanied by a physical shrug (пожимание плечами). It adds to the sense of 'well, what can you do?'
Don't use for 'smooth' skin
Never use this to describe a smooth surface or skin. It's strictly for metaphorical accountability.
معنی
Nothing can be taken from someone.
Use it with a shrug
This idiom is often accompanied by a physical shrug (пожимание плечами). It adds to the sense of 'well, what can you do?'
Don't use for 'smooth' skin
Never use this to describe a smooth surface or skin. It's strictly for metaphorical accountability.
The 'Small Man' perspective
Using this phrase shows you understand the Russian perspective on bureaucracy—that sometimes the law is just a wall you can't climb.
خودت رو بسنج
Choose the correct form of the idiom to complete the sentence.
Он продал всё имущество и уехал в другую страну, так что теперь ...
The correct form is 'с него взятки гладки' (Genitive case + plural short adjective).
Fill in the missing preposition and pronoun.
Я выполнил свою часть договора, теперь ___ ___ взятки гладки.
When you are the one who is no longer responsible, you say 'с меня'.
Match the situation to the most appropriate use of the idiom.
Which situation best fits 'с него взятки гладки'?
The idiom is used when someone has no assets or responsibility that can be claimed.
Complete the dialogue.
— Почему ты не требуешь компенсацию от этой фирмы? — Бесполезно. Они объявили себя банкротами, и теперь ...
The idiom perfectly describes a bankrupt entity from which nothing can be recovered.
🎉 امتیاز: /4
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
بانک تمرین
4 تمرینهاОн продал всё имущество и уехал в другую страну, так что теперь ...
The correct form is 'с него взятки гладки' (Genitive case + plural short adjective).
Я выполнил свою часть договора, теперь ___ ___ взятки гладки.
When you are the one who is no longer responsible, you say 'с меня'.
Which situation best fits 'с него взятки гладки'?
The idiom is used when someone has no assets or responsibility that can be claimed.
— Почему ты не требуешь компенсацию от этой фирмы? — Бесполезно. Они объявили себя банкротами, и теперь ...
The idiom perfectly describes a bankrupt entity from which nothing can be recovered.
🎉 امتیاز: /4
سوالات متداول
10 سوالIt can be cynical or dismissive, but it's not inherently 'rude' like a swear word. It's just very blunt about a situation.
Yes! 'С меня взятки гладки' is a common way to say 'I've done my part, don't ask me for anything else.'
No. While it uses the word for 'bribe,' it usually just means they are broke or legally protected.
It's an old grammatical form (short adjective) that has been frozen in this idiom for centuries.
Only if the email is very informal. In a formal contract dispute, use 'не несет ответственности' instead.
Debt. When someone owes money but has no way to pay it back.
Not really. It's almost always used to describe a lack of something (money, responsibility, or evidence).
Yes, if you are talking about a past situation, but the present tense is much more common.
No. 'No strings attached' means there are no conditions. 'Взятки гладки' means you can't hold them responsible.
Constantly! Especially in crime dramas or comedies about office life.
عبارات مرتبط
умыть руки
similarTo wash one's hands of something.
и концы в воду
similarAnd all traces are gone.
гол как сокол
builds onPauper-poor (literally: naked as a falcon).
чист как стёклышко
similarClean as a whistle.
