Meaning
To stay up to date.
Cultural Background
The phrase is a hallmark of the 'modernization' discourse that has existed since Peter the Great. It reflects a societal value on progress and education. During the USSR, 'идти в ногу' was used in propaganda to encourage citizens to work toward the collective goal of communism. In modern Russian business, this phrase is used to signal 'innovation' and 'agility,' often appearing in mission statements. Teachers often use this to motivate students to learn beyond the textbook, emphasizing that the world changes faster than books.
Use with 'со временем'
90% of the time, this phrase is used with 'со временем'. Memorize them as a single block.
Avoid 'ходить'
Using 'ходить' makes you sound like a beginner. Stick to 'идти'.
Meaning
To stay up to date.
Use with 'со временем'
90% of the time, this phrase is used with 'со временем'. Memorize them as a single block.
Avoid 'ходить'
Using 'ходить' makes you sound like a beginner. Stick to 'идти'.
Complimenting Elders
Telling an older Russian person they 'идут в ногу со временем' is a very high compliment.
Perfective Form
Use 'пойти в ногу' if you want to say someone *started* keeping up recently.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'идти' and the preposition 'с/со'.
Мой папа всегда ______ в ногу ______ временем.
We use 'идёт' for a singular subject (папа) and 'со' before 'временем'.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly in a figurative sense?
Выберите правильное предложение:
This correctly uses 'идти' and the Instrumental case 'с модой' for a figurative meaning.
Match the phrase to the most appropriate context.
Где лучше всего использовать 'идти в ногу со временем'?
Programming is a field where staying up to date is essential.
Complete the dialogue.
— Почему ты купил новый смартфон? — Мой старый совсем сломался, да и хочется...
This is the standard way to express the desire to stay modern.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Идти vs. Ходить
Usage Contexts
Professional
- • Interviews
- • Strategy
- • Reports
Personal
- • Hobbies
- • Learning
- • Lifestyle
Social
- • News
- • Politics
- • Culture
Practice Bank
4 exercisesМой папа всегда ______ в ногу ______ временем.
We use 'идёт' for a singular subject (папа) and 'со' before 'временем'.
Выберите правильное предложение:
This correctly uses 'идти' and the Instrumental case 'с модой' for a figurative meaning.
Где лучше всего использовать 'идти в ногу со временем'?
Programming is a field where staying up to date is essential.
— Почему ты купил новый смартфон? — Мой старый совсем сломался, да и хочется...
This is the standard way to express the desire to stay modern.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsYes, 'идти в ногу с модой' is very common.
Yes, it is professional and sounds proactive.
The opposite is 'отставать от жизни' (to fall behind life).
Because 'временем' starts with 'вр', 'со' makes it easier to pronounce.
Yes, it can mean walking together or staying at the same level of progress.
It is neutral. You can use it with friends or with your boss.
Usually no, unless you mean a team staying at the same level as competitors.
No, it can be about ideas, laws, or social norms.
No, that is not a standard idiom.
Yes, many Soviet and modern songs use it to talk about progress.
Yes, 'Он идёт в ногу со временем.'
The Instrumental case (кем? чем?).
No, it is standard literary and spoken Russian.
Yes, 'Страна должна идти в ногу с прогрессом.'
Related Phrases
быть в курсе
similarTo be aware/informed
не отставать
synonymNot to fall behind
соответствовать эпохе
specialized formTo match the era
быть на одной волне
similarTo be on the same wavelength
плыть по течению
contrastTo go with the flow
