Signification
Cheer up.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is immortalized in the song 'Не вешайте нос, гардемарины!' from a famous 1988 adventure movie. It's a symbol of friendship and bravery. During the Soviet era, 'optimistic' idioms were encouraged in posters and media to maintain public morale and the 'spirit of the builder of communism.' In Russian Telegram and VK groups, 'Не вешай нос' is often used as a hashtag #невешайнос to support people during economic or social difficulties. Russian classical literature often uses 'повесить нос' to describe the 'superfluous man' or characters who are easily defeated by life's circumstances.
Use it with 'Ну'
Adding 'Ну' at the beginning ('Ну, не вешай нос!') makes it sound much more natural and sympathetic.
Watch the Aspect
Never say 'Не повесь нос'. In negative commands, always use the imperfective 'вешай'.
Signification
Cheer up.
Use it with 'Ну'
Adding 'Ну' at the beginning ('Ну, не вешай нос!') makes it sound much more natural and sympathetic.
Watch the Aspect
Never say 'Не повесь нос'. In negative commands, always use the imperfective 'вешай'.
The 'Выше нос' Alternative
If you want to be extra positive, use 'Выше нос!' (Nose higher!). It's shorter and very common in modern Russian.
Body Language
When saying this, Russians often lightly tap the person on the shoulder or give a small smile to show support.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word in the idiom.
Твой друг грустный. Ты говоришь ему: «Не вешай ____!»
The idiom specifically uses 'нос' (nose).
Which sentence is the correct way to describe someone who became sad?
Как сказать, что человек стал грустным?
We use the perfective past 'повесил' to describe a completed change of state.
In which situation is 'Не вешай нос' appropriate?
Выберите правильную ситуацию:
The phrase is informal and best for minor setbacks.
Complete the dialogue.
— Я не могу выучить эти слова! — ______, завтра ты всё вспомнишь!
The negative imperative is used for encouragement.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Cheering Up Across Languages
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesТвой друг грустный. Ты говоришь ему: «Не вешай ____!»
The idiom specifically uses 'нос' (nose).
Как сказать, что человек стал грустным?
We use the perfective past 'повесил' to describe a completed change of state.
Выберите правильную ситуацию:
The phrase is informal and best for minor setbacks.
— Я не могу выучить эти слова! — ______, завтра ты всё вспомнишь!
The negative imperative is used for encouragement.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsIt's not rude, but it's very informal. Only say it if you have a very friendly, close relationship with your boss.
Yes! You can say 'Я решил не вешать нос' (I decided not to hang my nose).
The plural is 'Не вешайте нос'.
No, it's entirely figurative, though it refers to the posture of a sad person.
Yes, 'Держи хвост пистолетом' is a more slangy way to say the same thing.
No, but there is an idiom 'развесить уши' which means to listen too trustingly!
It is extremely common. Every Russian speaker knows and uses it.
Yes, it's very common in both classical and modern Russian literature.
Yes, it's a very 'safe' and friendly phrase for all ages.
'Не грусти' is 'Don't be sad'. 'Не вешай нос' is more about 'Don't give up/Don't be discouraged'.
Only in an informal email to a friend or a close colleague.
It's just a linguistic quirk, likely from the musician origin story mentioned in the etymology section.
Expressions liées
Выше нос
similarKeep your head up / Nose higher
Падать духом
synonymTo lose heart / To lose spirit
Держать хвост пистолетом
similarKeep your tail like a gun
Задирать нос
contrastTo turn up one's nose
Остаться с носом
relatedTo be left with the nose
