Signification
To act too early or anticipate unnecessarily.
Contexte culturel
In Russian offices, hierarchy and 'the process' are often very rigid. Using this phrase is a common way for senior managers to maintain control over enthusiastic but inexperienced staff. The phrase gained massive popularity during the Soviet era when 'The Train of Progress' was a common propaganda motif. It served as a warning that one cannot outpace the planned economy. There is a cultural thread of 'everything has its time'. This idiom reinforces the idea that trying to force the future is not just unwise, but potentially dangerous. Russian journalists use this phrase constantly to criticize politicians who make promises they can't keep or announce laws that haven't been passed.
Use it for warnings
It's most effective when used as a friendly warning to a colleague or friend who is getting too excited.
Don't use with 'поезд'
While 'поезд' means train, the idiom is fixed with 'паровоз'. Changing it makes you sound like a non-native speaker.
Signification
To act too early or anticipate unnecessarily.
Use it for warnings
It's most effective when used as a friendly warning to a colleague or friend who is getting too excited.
Don't use with 'поезд'
While 'поезд' means train, the idiom is fixed with 'паровоз'. Changing it makes you sound like a non-native speaker.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word in the correct case.
Не беги впереди _________ (паровоз)!
The preposition 'впереди' requires the Genitive case. 'Паровоз' is a masculine noun, so it takes the ending '-а'.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'бежать впереди паровоза'?
Выберите ситуацию:
The idiom means to do something prematurely. Buying furniture for a non-existent apartment is a perfect example.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
— Я уже рассказал всем, что меня повысили! — Но приказ ещё не подписан. Ты опять ...
The context is about announcing a promotion before it's official, which is 'jumping the gun'.
Match the idiom with its meaning.
Сопоставьте:
All these are related to timing and haste in Russian.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesНе беги впереди _________ (паровоз)!
The preposition 'впереди' requires the Genitive case. 'Паровоз' is a masculine noun, so it takes the ending '-а'.
Выберите ситуацию:
The idiom means to do something prematurely. Buying furniture for a non-existent apartment is a perfect example.
— Я уже рассказал всем, что меня повысили! — Но приказ ещё не подписан. Ты опять ...
The context is about announcing a promotion before it's official, which is 'jumping the gun'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
All these are related to timing and haste in Russian.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsIt can be slightly patronizing if used with a superior, but among peers, it's considered a helpful, idiomatic piece of advice.
Yes, 'Он побежал впереди паровоза' is common when describing someone's past mistake.
'Гнать лошадей' is the most common and slightly more neutral synonym.
Usually, yes. It implies that the action was done too early and will likely cause problems.
Expressions liées
гнать лошадей
synonymTo rush things unnecessarily.
поперёд батьки в пекло
similarTo do something before someone more senior or before it's your turn.
делить шкуру неубитого медведя
similarTo count your chickens before they hatch.
всему своё время
contrastEverything in its own time.
