7 Russian expressions about FISH
Are you learning Russian? Be like a fish in water!
1 “Как рыба в воде.” (“Kak ryba v vode.”)
“Like a fish in water.”
That is, a person feels completely at ease and comfortable being somewhere/doing something.
2 “Ловить рыбу в мутной воде.” (“Lovit rybu v mutnoy vode”)
“To catch a fish in murky waters.”
To seek personal gain, even when others are struggling. The expression most likely came to the Russian language from Latin. Ovid used the phrase: “Turbato melius capiuntur flumine pisces” (“In troubled waters, fish are caught better”). And it was born from observations of the behavior of aquatic creatures. The fact is that in murky water, fish simply cannot see as well and are easier to catch with bait. In Russian literature, this expression is firmly established in the satirical works of Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin. In the novel ‘Well-Intentioned Speeches’, he describes shrewd lawyers and those involved in financial speculation as follows: “All who deal in shady business, who catch fish in murky water, all for whom publicity is tantamount to ruin – all seek salvation and advice here.”
3 “Ни рыба, ни мясо.” (“Ni ryba, ni myaso.”)
“Neither fish nor meat.”
Neither this nor that. This phrase can be used to describe someone who is mediocre, not outstanding in anything.
4 “Биться, как рыба об лед.” (“Bitsya, kak ryba ob led.”)
“To flounder like a fish on ice.”
Throwing all your energy into achieving a certain goal, but never achieving success. In other words, a Sisyphean task.
5 “Нем, как рыба.” (“Nem, kak ryba.”)
“Silent as a fish.”
To remain silent.
6 “Опять за рыбу деньги.” (“Opyat za rybu dengi.”)
“Money for fish again.”
That is, to return to what has already been discussed many times.
7 “Рыба гниет с головы.” (“Ryba gniyet s golovy.”)
“The fish rots from the head.”
Problems always start at the top. The expression came to the Russian language from ancient sources. For example, one of the earliest mentions can be found in Plutarch.
