Meaning
Working hard without breaks.
Cultural Background
The phrase is deeply linked to the concept of 'podvig' (a heroic feat). Hard work is often viewed through a lens of moral duty. During the industrialization era, this phrase was a staple of propaganda, encouraging workers to exceed quotas. In the competitive Moscow business scene, this phrase is used to signal 'hustle' and total commitment to a startup or firm. Classic authors like Tolstoy used this to describe the noble labor of the peasantry, contrasting it with the idle lives of the aristocracy.
Use in CVs
While 'hardworking' is a cliché, using 'трудиться не покладая рук' in a Russian cover letter shows high-level linguistic competence and cultural alignment.
Don't change the verb
Stick to 'трудиться' or 'работать'. Using it with 'делать' (to do) sounds unnatural.
Meaning
Working hard without breaks.
Use in CVs
While 'hardworking' is a cliché, using 'трудиться не покладая рук' in a Russian cover letter shows high-level linguistic competence and cultural alignment.
Don't change the verb
Stick to 'трудиться' or 'работать'. Using it with 'делать' (to do) sounds unnatural.
Sarcasm Alert
If someone says this about a person who is clearly lazy, it is sharp sarcasm. Pay attention to the tone!
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Наши учёные трудились не ________ рук, чтобы создать вакцину.
The idiom uses the archaic gerund 'покладая'.
Which situation is most appropriate for using 'не покладая рук'?
Выберите подходящую ситуацию:
The phrase implies long, continuous, and intense effort.
Match the Russian idiom with its English equivalent.
Сопоставьте пары:
These are common work-related idioms in Russian.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
— Как тебе удалось так быстро выучить русский язык? — Я просто...
Learning a language quickly requires intense effort.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesНаши учёные трудились не ________ рук, чтобы создать вакцину.
The idiom uses the archaic gerund 'покладая'.
Выберите подходящую ситуацию:
The phrase implies long, continuous, and intense effort.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are common work-related idioms in Russian.
— Как тебе удалось так быстро выучить русский язык? — Я просто...
Learning a language quickly requires intense effort.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes, but mostly in professional or academic contexts. In a bar with friends, they would use 'вкалывать' or 'пахать'.
Absolutely. It is very common for describing scientists, writers, and students.
'Трудиться' is slightly more formal and emphasizes the effort itself, while 'работать' is more neutral.
It is always 'не'. 'Ни' would be a mistake.
No, that is not an idiom. For running/walking, we say 'не чуя ног' (not feeling one's legs).
Related Phrases
в поте лица
synonymBy the sweat of one's brow
засучив рукава
similarWith sleeves rolled up
спустя рукава
contrastCarelessly / half-heartedly
бить баклуши
contrastTo idle / waste time
пахать как вол
synonymTo work like an ox
