Signification
Enduring a period of poverty or hunger.
Contexte culturel
The phrase reflects the agrarian roots of Russian society where tools (rakes/saws) were the 'teeth' of the household. No work meant the tools went on the shelf, and the family went hungry. Today, it's a common way to complain about 'the 90s' (a decade of economic chaos) or current inflation. It shows a specific type of Russian resilience through humor. During the Soviet deficit, even if you had money, there was sometimes no food to buy. The idiom was used to describe the frustration of empty shelves. Many Russian classical writers used this idiom to depict the life of the 'little man' (маленький человек) struggling against poverty in the city.
Use it for humor
Russians love using this idiom ironically when they buy something expensive but unnecessary. It makes you sound very natural.
Don't use it for diets
If you are fasting for Ramadan or on a keto diet, do NOT use this phrase. It implies you are poor, not healthy.
Signification
Enduring a period of poverty or hunger.
Use it for humor
Russians love using this idiom ironically when they buy something expensive but unnecessary. It makes you sound very natural.
Don't use it for diets
If you are fasting for Ramadan or on a keto diet, do NOT use this phrase. It implies you are poor, not healthy.
The '90s connection
If you talk to older Russians about the 1990s, this phrase will likely come up. It's a key part of their historical vocabulary.
Teste-toi
Complete the idiom with the correct word.
Если я не найду работу, мне придётся положить ___ на полку.
The idiom is 'положить зубы на полку'.
In which situation is this idiom appropriate?
Выберите правильную ситуацию для фразы 'положить зубы на полку':
The idiom specifically refers to financial hardship leading to hunger.
Match the Russian phrase with its English equivalent or meaning.
Сопоставьте фразы:
All pairs are correctly matched synonyms of financial states.
Choose the best response for Speaker B.
A: Цены на аренду выросли в два раза! B: ________
Speaker B is agreeing that the financial burden is now very high.
Match the idiom to the correct level of formality.
Где лучше всего использовать фразу 'положить зубы на полку'?
This is an informal, colloquial idiom.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesЕсли я не найду работу, мне придётся положить ___ на полку.
The idiom is 'положить зубы на полку'.
Выберите правильную ситуацию для фразы 'положить зубы на полку':
The idiom specifically refers to financial hardship leading to hunger.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
All pairs are correctly matched synonyms of financial states.
A: Цены на аренду выросли в два раза! B: ________
Speaker B is agreeing that the financial burden is now very high.
Где лучше всего использовать фразу 'положить зубы на полку'?
This is an informal, colloquial idiom.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsNo, it's not offensive, but it is very informal. It's a colorful way to describe a difficult situation.
Probably not. It sounds a bit too desperate and informal for a professional setting.
'Положить' is for a specific moment (I'm broke now), 'класть' is for a general habit or long period.
Yes, though they might use it more ironically or in memes about 'adulting' and bills.
Not really. To describe being rich, you might say 'кататься как сыр в масле' (to roll like cheese in butter).
Expressions liées
Сводить концы с концами
similarTo make ends meet.
Сидеть на бобах
synonymTo be broke and eat only beans.
Ни гроша за душой
synonymNot a penny to one's name.
Затянуть пояс
similarTo tighten one's belt.
Зубы съесть на чём-то
contrastTo be an expert at something.
