Meaning
Adopting modern ways and ideas.
Cultural Background
In Russia, there is a strong generational divide regarding technology. Younger people often use this phrase to gently encourage their parents or grandparents to use smartphones or online banking. During the Soviet era, 'идти в ногу со временем' was a common propaganda slogan used to encourage workers to meet production quotas and embrace socialist modernization. In the Russian startup scene (Skolkovo, etc.), this phrase is considered a bit of a cliché, but it is still used in official pitches to investors to show market awareness. Russian teachers are often criticized if they don't 'идти в ногу со временем'. There is a huge national push to digitize schools, making this phrase very relevant in pedagogical circles.
Use it in Interviews
This is a 'magic phrase' for Russian job interviews. It makes you sound like a motivated, modern professional.
Don't use 'Ходить'
Using 'ходить' makes the idiom sound broken and non-native. Stick to 'идти'.
Meaning
Adopting modern ways and ideas.
Use it in Interviews
This is a 'magic phrase' for Russian job interviews. It makes you sound like a motivated, modern professional.
Don't use 'Ходить'
Using 'ходить' makes the idiom sound broken and non-native. Stick to 'идти'.
Complimenting Elders
If you tell an older Russian person they are 'идут в ногу со временем', it is a very high compliment to their mind and spirit.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing verb in the correct form.
Моя компания всегда ______ в ногу со временем. (Present tense)
The subject 'компания' is singular, 3rd person. The idiom requires the verb 'идти'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct idiom usage:
Requires 'со' for phonetics and 'временем' in the instrumental case.
Match the response to the situation.
Your boss asks why you want to learn Python.
Learning a new skill is a classic example of keeping up with the times.
Complete the dialogue.
— Почему ты больше не пользуешься бумажными картами? — Потому что нужно...
Switching from paper maps to digital ones is an act of modernization.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesМоя компания всегда ______ в ногу со временем. (Present tense)
The subject 'компания' is singular, 3rd person. The idiom requires the verb 'идти'.
Choose the correct idiom usage:
Requires 'со' for phonetics and 'временем' in the instrumental case.
Your boss asks why you want to learn Python.
Learning a new skill is a classic example of keeping up with the times.
— Почему ты больше не пользуешься бумажными картами? — Потому что нужно...
Switching from paper maps to digital ones is an act of modernization.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but it usually refers to a general modern style rather than a specific trendy item.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Because 'временем' starts with 'вр-', which is hard to say after 'с'. 'Со' makes it flow.
It's not standard, but people sometimes say it to emphasize how fast the world is changing. Stick to 'идти' for exams.
The most common opposite is 'отставать от жизни' (to lag behind life).
Very much so. It's a staple of corporate speak in Russia.
Yes: 'Он всегда шёл в ногу со временем'.
No, it sounds classic and well-educated.
Yes, 'Наша компания идёт в ногу со временем' is a very common sentence.
In this idiom, yes. It shows the direction of your movement.
Related Phrases
Отставать от жизни
contrastTo lag behind life / To be out of touch.
Быть в тренде
similarTo be in trend.
Держать руку на пульсе
similarTo keep one's hand on the pulse.
Шагать в ногу
synonymTo stride in step.
