Signification
To feed someone false information.
Contexte culturel
The idiom is so popular that it has inspired physical art. In the city of Obninsk, there is a small monument featuring a bronze ear with noodles hanging from it. During the Soviet period, this phrase was a common way for citizens to privately mock the discrepancy between state media reports and the reality of empty store shelves. Russian 'fact-checking' websites or satirical news shows often use noodle imagery in their logos to signify they are 'removing the noodles' from the public's ears. While Russians can be very direct, using this phrase in a first-time business meeting would be seen as a major 'aggressiya' (aggression). It implies the other person is a low-level scammer.
Use the Short Version
In very casual speech, you can just say 'Ну, это лапша!' (Well, that's noodles!) to dismiss a story.
Don't use with Bosses
Even if your boss is lying, this phrase is too disrespectful for the workplace hierarchy.
Signification
To feed someone false information.
Use the Short Version
In very casual speech, you can just say 'Ну, это лапша!' (Well, that's noodles!) to dismiss a story.
Don't use with Bosses
Even if your boss is lying, this phrase is too disrespectful for the workplace hierarchy.
Sarcastic Tone
The effectiveness of this phrase depends 90% on a skeptical, slightly amused tone of voice.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Перестань вешать мне ________ на ________!
The standard form of the idiom uses 'лапшу' (noodles) and 'уши' (ears).
Which situation is appropriate for using 'вешать лапшу на уши'?
Choose the best context:
This is an informal idiom used to call out lies among friends or peers.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the verb.
— Он сказал, что выиграл в лотерею миллион. — Не верь ему, он тебе просто ________ лапшу на уши.
The present tense 'вешает' is used here to describe what he is doing right now (lying).
Match the phrase to the meaning.
Match 'Сними лапшу с ушей!' to its intent:
'Сними лапшу' is a variation meaning 'stop believing the lies you are being told'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesПерестань вешать мне ________ на ________!
The standard form of the idiom uses 'лапшу' (noodles) and 'уши' (ears).
Choose the best context:
This is an informal idiom used to call out lies among friends or peers.
— Он сказал, что выиграл в лотерею миллион. — Не верь ему, он тебе просто ________ лапшу на уши.
The present tense 'вешает' is used here to describe what he is doing right now (lying).
Match 'Сними лапшу с ушей!' to its intent:
'Сними лапшу' is a variation meaning 'stop believing the lies you are being told'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it can be. It's informal and directly challenges someone's honesty. Use it only with friends or when you don't mind a bit of conflict.
Technically people will understand, but it's not the idiom. It would sound like a deliberate joke or a non-native mistake.
The perfective is 'повесить лапшу на уши'. Use it for a single, completed act of lying.
Absolutely. It's a timeless classic in Russian slang, though younger generations might also use 'кринж' or 'скам' in similar contexts.
Yes! Sometimes people make a twirling motion with their finger near their ear, as if winding noodles around it.
Yes, e.g., 'Это очередная лапша на уши' (This is just more noodles on the ears).
Only in opinion pieces or very informal tabloids to criticize politicians.
'Врать' is the plain verb 'to lie'. 'Вешать лапшу' is more descriptive and implies a story or a 'line' being given.
Usually, it's for more significant or 'creative' lies. For a tiny mistake, it might be too strong.
You can say 'Я тебе лапшу не вешаю, это правда!'
Expressions liées
пудрить мозги
synonymTo powder someone's brains.
заливать
similarTo pour/flood (with words).
водить за нос
similarTo lead by the nose.
снимать лапшу
contrastTo take the noodles off.
