Signification
To catch someone in the act of doing wrong.
Contexte culturel
The term 'поличное' appears in the 1550 Sudebnik of Ivan the Terrible. It shows how long the Russian language has prioritized physical evidence in its idiomatic expressions. You will see this phrase almost daily in Russian news headlines regarding 'борьба с коррупцией' (the fight against corruption). It has a very strong 'law and order' connotation. The phrase is iconic in Soviet detective films. It represents the triumph of the clever investigator over the slippery criminal. Russians love to use high-register legal terms for trivial domestic matters to create a mock-serious or ironic tone.
Use for 'Undeniable' Guilt
Only use this when the person has no way to say 'It wasn't me.' If there's room for doubt, use 'подозревать' (to suspect).
Check the Case
Always use the instrumental '-ым'. Never say 'с поличный' or 'с поличного'.
Signification
To catch someone in the act of doing wrong.
Use for 'Undeniable' Guilt
Only use this when the person has no way to say 'It wasn't me.' If there's room for doubt, use 'подозревать' (to suspect).
Check the Case
Always use the instrumental '-ым'. Never say 'с поличный' or 'с поличного'.
Irony is Key
In casual Russian, using this phrase for small things (like a dog stealing a sock) makes you sound witty and articulate.
Teste-toi
Выберите правильную форму фразы.
Полиция ________ вора с поличным.
The subject 'Полиция' is feminine singular, so the verb must be 'взяла'.
Заполните пропуск правильным предлогом и окончанием.
Его поймали ___ поличн___.
The idiom is always 'с поличным' (instrumental case).
В какой ситуации лучше всего использовать эту фразу?
Ситуация: Вы увидели, как ваш коллега крадет бумагу из принтера.
This is a classic 'wrongdoing with evidence' scenario.
Завершите диалог.
— Он отрицает, что брал деньги. — Но ведь его ________!
The idiom emphasizes that denial is impossible because he was caught with the money.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesПолиция ________ вора с поличным.
The subject 'Полиция' is feminine singular, so the verb must be 'взяла'.
Его поймали ___ поличн___.
The idiom is always 'с поличным' (instrumental case).
Ситуация: Вы увидели, как ваш коллега крадет бумагу из принтера.
This is a classic 'wrongdoing with evidence' scenario.
— Он отрицает, что брал деньги. — Но ведь его ________!
The idiom emphasizes that denial is impossible because he was caught with the money.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsNo, it almost always implies a crime, a lie, or a mistake. For a surprise, use 'застать врасплох'.
Yes, they are interchangeable. 'Взять' sounds slightly more like a police arrest, 'поймать' sounds more like a physical catch.
In modern Russian, it's not used alone. It only exists within this idiom.
It's neutral-to-formal. It's perfect for news, but also works in a dramatic story among friends.
Expressions liées
поймать за руку
similarTo catch by the hand
накрыть лавочку
builds onTo shut down an illegal operation
вывести на чистую воду
similarTo bring someone into the light / expose them
застукать
synonymTo bust / catch
с поличным
specialized formWith the evidence
