Signification
To confuse someone with a difficult question.
Contexte culturel
In Russian universities, professors often take pride in 'stumping' students to test the depth of their knowledge. It's not seen as mean, but as a challenge. The concept of 'тупик' is a recurring theme in 20th-century Russian literature, symbolizing the stagnation of society or the soul. Admitting you are 'в тупике' in a Russian business meeting is often seen as more honest and professional than making up a fake answer. Russians often use this phrase sarcastically when someone asks something incredibly obvious.
Buy Thinking Time
Use this phrase as a 'filler' when you need to think. It sounds much more native than 'uhhh...'
Case Check
Always use Accusative. 'В тупике' is where you ARE, 'в тупик' is where you are PUT.
Signification
To confuse someone with a difficult question.
Buy Thinking Time
Use this phrase as a 'filler' when you need to think. It sounds much more native than 'uhhh...'
Case Check
Always use Accusative. 'В тупике' is where you ARE, 'в тупик' is where you are PUT.
Don't be afraid
In Russia, saying a question stumped you is often a compliment to the person who asked it.
Verb Choice
Remember: you 'place' (поставить) someone in a dead end, you don't 'throw' or 'make' them there.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word in the correct case.
Твой странный вопрос поставил меня в ______.
We use the Accusative case 'тупик' after the preposition 'в' to show direction/result.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'The professor stumped the students'?
Выберите правильный вариант:
The verb 'поставить' is the only one used in this idiom.
Match the reaction to the situation.
Situation: Someone asks you a very complex philosophical question during lunch.
You can use the active phrase (it stumps me) or the state (I am in a dead end).
Complete the dialogue.
— Почему ты молчишь? — Извини, твой вопрос ...
Silence is a typical reaction to being 'в тупике'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesТвой странный вопрос поставил меня в ______.
We use the Accusative case 'тупик' after the preposition 'в' to show direction/result.
Выберите правильный вариант:
The verb 'поставить' is the only one used in this idiom.
Situation: Someone asks you a very complex philosophical question during lunch.
You can use the active phrase (it stumps me) or the state (I am in a dead end).
— Почему ты молчишь? — Извини, твой вопрос ...
Silence is a typical reaction to being 'в тупике'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsNot at all! It's actually a compliment to their challenging question.
Yes, but usually you just say 'это тупик' (this is a dead end).
'Загнать' is more forceful, like driving cattle into a pen. It's more aggressive.
Yes! 'Эта ситуация поставила меня в тупик' is very common.
Yes, 'загрузить' (to load someone up) can mean to confuse them with complex info.
You can say 'Я в тупике' or 'Это поставило меня в тупик'.
Very often, especially when discussing market trends or difficult clients.
Yes, if your partner's behavior is logically baffling.
The phrase usually stays singular 'в тупик', even if many people are confused.
There isn't a direct opposite idiom, but 'найти выход' (to find an exit) is the logical next step.
It's neutral. It's fine for both a beer with friends and a board meeting.
Usually, you say 'это поставило меня...', but you can say 'я сам себя поставил в тупик' (I stumped myself).
Expressions liées
загнать в угол
similarTo corner someone
сбить с толку
synonymTo confuse/distract
ломать голову
builds onTo rack one's brain
безвыходное положение
similarA hopeless situation
развести руками
specialized formTo spread one's hands in helplessness
