B2 Idiom Informal

бежать впереди паровоза

бежать впереди паровоза

to run ahead of the engine

Significado

To act too early or anticipate unnecessarily.

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Contexto cultural

In Russian offices, hierarchy and 'the process' are often very rigid. Using this phrase is a common way for senior managers to maintain control over enthusiastic but inexperienced staff. The phrase gained massive popularity during the Soviet era when 'The Train of Progress' was a common propaganda motif. It served as a warning that one cannot outpace the planned economy. There is a cultural thread of 'everything has its time'. This idiom reinforces the idea that trying to force the future is not just unwise, but potentially dangerous. Russian journalists use this phrase constantly to criticize politicians who make promises they can't keep or announce laws that haven't been passed.

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Use it for warnings

It's most effective when used as a friendly warning to a colleague or friend who is getting too excited.

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Don't use with 'поезд'

While 'поезд' means train, the idiom is fixed with 'паровоз'. Changing it makes you sound like a non-native speaker.

Significado

To act too early or anticipate unnecessarily.

💡

Use it for warnings

It's most effective when used as a friendly warning to a colleague or friend who is getting too excited.

⚠️

Don't use with 'поезд'

While 'поезд' means train, the idiom is fixed with 'паровоз'. Changing it makes you sound like a non-native speaker.

Teste-se

Fill in the missing word in the correct case.

Не беги впереди _________ (паровоз)!

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa: паровоза

The preposition 'впереди' requires the Genitive case. 'Паровоз' is a masculine noun, so it takes the ending '-а'.

Which situation best fits the idiom 'бежать впереди паровоза'?

Выберите ситуацию:

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa: Игорь покупает мебель для квартиры, которую он ещё не купил.

The idiom means to do something prematurely. Buying furniture for a non-existent apartment is a perfect example.

Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.

— Я уже рассказал всем, что меня повысили! — Но приказ ещё не подписан. Ты опять ...

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa: бежишь впереди паровоза

The context is about announcing a promotion before it's official, which is 'jumping the gun'.

Match the idiom with its meaning.

Сопоставьте:

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa: all

All these are related to timing and haste in Russian.

🎉 Pontuação: /4

Recursos visuais

Banco de exercicios

4 exercicios
Fill in the missing word in the correct case. Fill Blank B1

Не беги впереди _________ (паровоз)!

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa: паровоза

The preposition 'впереди' requires the Genitive case. 'Паровоз' is a masculine noun, so it takes the ending '-а'.

Which situation best fits the idiom 'бежать впереди паровоза'? Choose B2

Выберите ситуацию:

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa: Игорь покупает мебель для квартиры, которую он ещё не купил.

The idiom means to do something prematurely. Buying furniture for a non-existent apartment is a perfect example.

Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase. dialogue_completion B2

— Я уже рассказал всем, что меня повысили! — Но приказ ещё не подписан. Ты опять ...

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa: бежишь впереди паровоза

The context is about announcing a promotion before it's official, which is 'jumping the gun'.

Match the idiom with its meaning. Match C1

Combine cada item a esquerda com seu par a direita:

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa: all

All these are related to timing and haste in Russian.

🎉 Pontuação: /4

Perguntas frequentes

4 perguntas

It can be slightly patronizing if used with a superior, but among peers, it's considered a helpful, idiomatic piece of advice.

Yes, 'Он побежал впереди паровоза' is common when describing someone's past mistake.

'Гнать лошадей' is the most common and slightly more neutral synonym.

Usually, yes. It implies that the action was done too early and will likely cause problems.

Frases relacionadas

🔄

гнать лошадей

synonym

To rush things unnecessarily.

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поперёд батьки в пекло

similar

To do something before someone more senior or before it's your turn.

🔗

делить шкуру неубитого медведя

similar

To count your chickens before they hatch.

🔗

всему своё время

contrast

Everything in its own time.

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