Significado
To make grand but unrealistic promises.
Contexto cultural
In Serbia, political skepticism is high. The phrase is frequently used in 'kafana' (traditional tavern) talk when discussing the latest news or local leaders. Given the mountainous terrain of Montenegro, the literal meaning of 'brda' (mountains) is very present. The idiom carries a slightly more 'rugged' weight here. In business, 'brda i doline' is a red flag. If a partner uses too many superlatives, a Serbian businessman will likely use this idiom to warn his colleagues. Many 19th-century Serbian writers used this phrase to describe the false promises of the declining Ottoman Empire or the rising local bureaucracies.
Use with Skepticism
Always use a slightly skeptical or ironic tone of voice when saying this phrase.
Plural Only
Never say 'brdo i dolinu'. It will sound like you are literally talking about one hill and one valley.
Significado
To make grand but unrealistic promises.
Use with Skepticism
Always use a slightly skeptical or ironic tone of voice when saying this phrase.
Plural Only
Never say 'brdo i dolinu'. It will sound like you are literally talking about one hill and one valley.
The 'Kule i Gradove' Swap
If you want to sound more sophisticated, swap 'brda i doline' for 'kule i gradove' in urban contexts.
Teste-se
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
On uvek obećava ______ i ______.
The standard form of the idiom is 'brda i doline'.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'obećati brda i doline'?
Scenario: A salesman says his 20-year-old vacuum cleaner can also cook dinner and fly.
The idiom is used for unrealistic claims or promises.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the verb.
Ana: 'Marko mi je rekao da ćemo živeti u dvorcu.' Jelena: 'Ne veruj mu, on ti samo ______ brda i doline.'
The present tense 'obećava' (imperfective) is used here to describe his current behavior.
Match the idiom to its meaning.
Match 'Obećati brda i doline' with its English equivalent.
Both idioms refer to making grand, unrealistic promises.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosOn uvek obećava ______ i ______.
The standard form of the idiom is 'brda i doline'.
Scenario: A salesman says his 20-year-old vacuum cleaner can also cook dinner and fly.
The idiom is used for unrealistic claims or promises.
Ana: 'Marko mi je rekao da ćemo živeti u dvorcu.' Jelena: 'Ne veruj mu, on ti samo ______ brda i doline.'
The present tense 'obećava' (imperfective) is used here to describe his current behavior.
Combine cada item a esquerda com seu par a direita:
Both idioms refer to making grand, unrealistic promises.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasIt's not vulgar, but it is critical. It implies the person you are talking about is a liar or an exaggerator.
Yes, but usually when talking *about* a client or a competitor, not *to* your boss.
The closest is 'to promise the moon and the stars' or 'to promise the earth'.
Usually no, because they are the direct object of 'obećati' and stay in the accusative.
Yes, this idiom is identical and equally common across all BCMS (Bosnian, Croatian, Montenegrin, Serbian) languages.
No, that's not a standard idiom. Stick to 'brda'.
Not really. If a promise is good and true, we just say 'veliko obećanje' or 'ozbiljno obećanje'.
Because in the past, valleys were the most fertile land for crops, making them a high-value promise.
It's better for 'big' lies or grand schemes. For a small lie, just use 'lagati'.
Yes, journalists use it frequently to describe political campaigns.
Frases relacionadas
Obećavati kule i gradove
synonymTo promise towers and cities.
Obećanje, ludom radovanje
builds onA promise is a fool's joy.
Prodavati maglu
similarTo sell fog.
Zamazati oči
similarTo smear someone's eyes.
Ispuniti reč
contrastTo fulfill one's word.
