Signification
To fail unexpectedly.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is often used in sports commentary (informally) when a team loses unexpectedly. The phrase became extremely popular in the 1970s and 80s, appearing in many movies and cartoons, cementing its place in the 'Golden Fund' of Russian idioms. On Russian social media (VK, Telegram), you'll see this phrase in memes about crypto crashes or failed pre-orders for gadgets. Russians have a long history of being proud of their aviation, so an idiom about a 'failed flight' is particularly ironic and funny to them.
Shorten it!
In 90% of cases, you can just say 'Я пролетел' and people will understand you mean the idiom.
Watch the tone
This is a funny phrase. If you use it for a serious failure (like a divorce), it will sound like you are making fun of the person.
Signification
To fail unexpectedly.
Shorten it!
In 90% of cases, you can just say 'Я пролетел' and people will understand you mean the idiom.
Watch the tone
This is a funny phrase. If you use it for a serious failure (like a divorce), it will sound like you are making fun of the person.
Use with 'мимо'
Adding 'мимо' (past) makes it sound even more natural: 'Пролетел мимо кассы' or 'Пролетел мимо приза'.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct form of the verb to complete the idiom.
Я так хотел этот билет, но в итоге я ________ как фанера над Парижем.
The idiom always uses the perfective past tense 'пролетел' for a completed failure.
Fill in the missing word in the phrase.
Он пролетел как ________ над Парижем.
'Фанера' (plywood) is the key object in this comparison.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Which situation best fits 'Пролететь как фанера'?
The phrase is used for missing opportunities or failing.
Complete the dialogue.
- Ты пойдёшь на концерт завтра? - Нет, я не успел купить билет. Я ________.
'Пролетел' is the informal way to say 'I missed out.'
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to use 'Пролететь'
Success
- • Don't use here
Failure
- • Exams
- • Sales
- • Jobs
- • Dates
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesЯ так хотел этот билет, но в итоге я ________ как фанера над Парижем.
The idiom always uses the perfective past tense 'пролетел' for a completed failure.
Он пролетел как ________ над Парижем.
'Фанера' (plywood) is the key object in this comparison.
Which situation best fits 'Пролететь как фанера'?
The phrase is used for missing opportunities or failing.
- Ты пойдёшь на концерт завтра? - Нет, я не успел купить билет. Я ________.
'Пролетел' is the informal way to say 'I missed out.'
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot rude, but very informal. It's safe to use with friends.
Technically yes, but it won't be the idiom anymore. Stick to Paris for the full effect.
It is plywood—thin layers of wood glued together. It's cheap and not very strong.
Yes, you can say 'потерпеть неудачу' (to suffer a failure).
Yes! 'Ты пролетишь!' is a common way to warn someone they will fail.
Yes, if you miss the bus, you can literally say 'Я пролетел.'
Paris was the center of the world for early aviation and a dream city for Russians.
Very! You will hear it in movies, YouTube videos, and daily life.
Usually, it's for a 'total' miss, not just a small typo.
People will understand you are making a joke or a variation, but it's not the standard form.
Expressions liées
Остаться у разбитого корыта
similarTo be left with nothing after having much.
Прокатить
synonymTo fail or to be rejected.
Накрыться медным тазом
similarTo fail or collapse completely (for plans).
Дать маху
contrastTo make a mistake.
