Signification
To cause a big problem.
Contexte culturel
Firewood was essential for survival. Breaking it instead of chopping it was a sign of a 'непутёвый' (good-for-nothing) person. In the 90s, many 'new Russians' were said to 'наломать дров' because they had money but no experience in legal business. Classic characters (like those in Dostoevsky) often 'наломают дров' due to their 'широкая душа' (wide soul) and lack of boundaries. Parents often use this phrase to warn teenagers against impulsive marriages or career choices.
Use it for apologies
It sounds very sincere and slightly self-deprecating, which Russians appreciate.
Don't use with 'маленький'
You don't 'наломать маленьких дров'. The idiom itself implies the mess is significant.
Signification
To cause a big problem.
Use it for apologies
It sounds very sincere and slightly self-deprecating, which Russians appreciate.
Don't use with 'маленький'
You don't 'наломать маленьких дров'. The idiom itself implies the mess is significant.
The 'Warning' form
The most common way to hear this is 'Смотри, не наломай дров!' (Watch out, don't mess things up!).
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word in the correct form.
Он был очень зол и _______ дров в разговоре с боссом.
The subject is 'он' (masculine singular), so the past tense verb must be 'наломал'.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'наломать дров'?
Выберите правильную ситуацию:
Deleting a file and fighting with a colleague is a 'big mess' caused by haste or accident.
Complete the dialogue.
— Я хочу уволиться прямо сейчас! — Подожди, не спеши, а то...
The speaker is addressing 'ты' (you), so the future tense 'наломаешь' is correct.
Match the person to their 'wood-breaking' action.
Соотнесите:
All these are examples of making a mess in different spheres of life.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesОн был очень зол и _______ дров в разговоре с боссом.
The subject is 'он' (masculine singular), so the past tense verb must be 'наломал'.
Выберите правильную ситуацию:
Deleting a file and fighting with a colleague is a 'big mess' caused by haste or accident.
— Я хочу уволиться прямо сейчас! — Подожди, не спеши, а то...
The speaker is addressing 'ты' (you), so the future tense 'наломаешь' is correct.
Соотнесите:
All these are examples of making a mess in different spheres of life.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsNo, it's not rude. It's informal and expressive, but you can use it with friends, family, and even colleagues you know well.
Rarely. We usually talk about mistakes already made (past) or warn about future ones. 'Я ломаю дрова' sounds literal.
'Накосячить' is slang for any mistake. 'Наломать дров' is more about a series of mistakes or a big, complicated mess.
You can, but it's redundant. 'Наломать дров' already implies 'a lot'.
Expressions liées
Наворотить дел
synonymTo do a lot of things (usually bad or complicated ones).
Сесть в лужу
similarTo find oneself in an embarrassing situation.
Перегнуть палку
similarTo go too far / to overdo it.
Накосячить
informal alternativeTo screw up.
