Signification
To hurry up or escape quickly.
Contexte culturel
In Ukrainian village culture, being 'прудкий' (nimble/quick) was a highly valued trait. Idioms like this reflect a history where physical agility was necessary for both work and avoiding trouble. In cities like Kyiv or Lviv, this phrase is frequently used in the context of traffic and public transport, reflecting the fast-paced urban lifestyle. Classic authors like Ivan Kotlyarevsky used such idioms to give their characters a 'voice of the people,' making them relatable and funny. While older generations use it, Gen Z in Ukraine still uses it ironically or in memes about being late for university lectures.
Use the Perfective for Results
If you actually succeeded in getting somewhere on time, use 'взяв ноги в руки'.
Not for Formal Emails
Don't tell your boss 'Я візьму ноги в руки' to finish a report; it sounds too casual.
Signification
To hurry up or escape quickly.
Use the Perfective for Results
If you actually succeeded in getting somewhere on time, use 'взяв ноги в руки'.
Not for Formal Emails
Don't tell your boss 'Я візьму ноги в руки' to finish a report; it sounds too casual.
Add 'і побіг'
The phrase is often followed by 'і побіг' (and ran) to complete the thought.
Humor is Key
This idiom is often used with a slight smile or a sense of self-irony.
Teste-toi
Complete the idiom in the following sentence.
Ми запізнюємося на поїзд! Швидше, бери ____ в руки!
The correct phrase is 'брати ноги в руки'.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'взяти ноги в руки'?
Оберіть правильну ситуацію:
The idiom means to run fast or escape.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the idiom.
— Чому ти так задихався? — Тому що я ____ ноги в руки і біг сюди з самого вокзалу!
Since the action is completed in the past, the perfective past tense 'взяв' is required.
Match the Ukrainian idiom with its English equivalent meaning.
Match the following:
The idiom covers both hurrying and fleeing.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesМи запізнюємося на поїзд! Швидше, бери ____ в руки!
The correct phrase is 'брати ноги в руки'.
Оберіть правильну ситуацію:
The idiom means to run fast or escape.
— Чому ти так задихався? — Тому що я ____ ноги в руки і біг сюди з самого вокзалу!
Since the action is completed in the past, the perfective past tense 'взяв' is required.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
The idiom covers both hurrying and fleeing.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsUsually no. It specifically refers to physical running or walking. For driving, you'd say 'тиснути на газ' (press the gas).
Both are okay, but 'в руки' is much more common in this specific idiom.
No, the idiom is fixed in the plural: 'ноги в руки'.
Not at all! It's just informal. It's very friendly and expressive.
Yes, but it's more colorful. It's like saying 'get a move on' or 'bolt'.
Yes, as a command: 'Бери ноги в руки!' (Hurry up!).
'Йти нога за ногою' (to walk very slowly).
Yes, it is a universal Ukrainian idiom understood everywhere.
Yes, it's very common in children's speech and cartoons.
'Я візьму ноги в руки'.
Expressions liées
Накивати п'ятами
synonymTo run away/flee
Дати драла
synonymTo bolt
Одна нога тут, друга там
similarTo be very quick
Летіти як на крилах
similarTo fly as if on wings
З усіх ніг
similarWith all one's legs (at full speed)
