Signification
To attack someone with severe criticism.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is deeply tied to the Gospel story of the adulteress, emphasizing that only those without sin should judge. This creates a cultural layer of 'hypocrisy' when someone 'stones' another. The practice of 'comrades' courts' and public shaming in factories or schools made the metaphorical 'stoning' a real social experience for many Russians. On platforms like VK and Telegram, 'stoning' (травля) is a recognized problem, leading to discussions about digital ethics and mental health. Classic authors like Dostoevsky and Tolstoy often explored the theme of the 'cruel crowd' attacking a lone individual, cementing this idiom in the literary canon.
Use 'Буквально' for Emphasis
Russians almost always add 'буквально' (literally) to this idiom to show they know it's a metaphor but want to emphasize how harsh the criticism was.
Watch the Case!
Never say 'закидать камни'. It's the #1 mistake for learners. Always use 'камнями'.
Signification
To attack someone with severe criticism.
Use 'Буквально' for Emphasis
Russians almost always add 'буквально' (literally) to this idiom to show they know it's a metaphor but want to emphasize how harsh the criticism was.
Watch the Case!
Never say 'закидать камни'. It's the #1 mistake for learners. Always use 'камнями'.
The 'Crowd' Nuance
This idiom implies a group is attacking. If only one person is criticizing you, it's better to use 'напасть' (to attack) or 'раскритиковать'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the word 'камень'.
После того как он признался в обмане, его буквально закидали ______.
The idiom requires the Instrumental plural form 'камнями'.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'закидать камнями'?
Выберите ситуацию:
The idiom refers to collective harsh criticism.
Match the idiom with its meaning.
Соотнесите:
These are all related idioms with different nuances.
Complete the dialogue.
- Как прошла твоя лекция? - Ужасно! Меня ______ за мои идеи.
The context 'Ужасно!' suggests a negative collective reaction.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesПосле того как он признался в обмане, его буквально закидали ______.
The idiom requires the Instrumental plural form 'камнями'.
Выберите ситуацию:
The idiom refers to collective harsh criticism.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are all related idioms with different nuances.
- Как прошла твоя лекция? - Ужасно! Меня ______ за мои идеи.
The context 'Ужасно!' suggests a negative collective reaction.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's not offensive, but it describes a very negative and aggressive situation. It's a standard way to talk about harsh criticism.
No. You can't 'stone' someone with compliments. For that, you would say 'засыпать комплиментами' (to shower with compliments).
They are 99% interchangeable. 'Закидать' is slightly more common in modern speech.
Yes, to describe a very unsuccessful presentation or a proposal that was rejected by everyone in the room.
Usually yes, but you can also 'stone' an idea, a book, or a movie.
No, it's a standard idiom found in literature and news, though it's very popular in informal internet talk too.
Use the passive: 'Меня закидали камнями'. Note that in Russian, this doesn't have the English slang meaning of being under the influence of drugs.
Yes, especially if you are writing about social issues, public opinion, or literature.
There isn't a single opposite idiom, but 'превозносить до небес' (to praise to the skies) is a good antonym.
Only in historical contexts or news reports about actual physical violence.
Expressions liées
бросить камень в огород
similarTo make an indirect jab or hint at someone.
подвергнуть остракизму
synonymTo socially exclude or shun someone.
устроить травлю
synonymTo organize a campaign of harassment against someone.
смешать с грязью
similarTo humiliate or insult someone completely.
