go down in history
I’m sure that his name will go down in history.
волк в овечьей шкуре
a wolf in sheep’s clothing
I always suspected that he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
волосы становятся дыбом (у кого-л.)
one’s hair stands on end
When the boy heard that sound, his hair stood on end.
вольная птица
(as) free as a bird
He felt as free as a bird when he escaped to his country house.
вооруженный до зубов
armed to the teeth
The robber was armed to the teeth and ready to fight.
I arrived for the interview armed to the teeth with letters of recommendation.
вопрос жизни и смерти
a matter of life and death
Go and get the doctor. Tell him it’s a matter of life and death.
воротить нос (от чего-л.)
to turn one’s nose up at something
She always turns her nose up at my cooking.
ворошить прошлое
to rake over the ashes/coals
Jim has already made an apology for his rude behaviour, so there’s no need to rake over the ashes.
воскрешать в памяти (что-л.)
to call something to mind
I know this actor but I can’t call his name to mind.
воспрянуть духом
to take heart
The soldiers took heart when they heard the news.
вот тебе и раз!
well, did you ever!; I say!
Well, did you ever! Mrs Smith has finally decided to move house.
I say! What a surprise!
впадать в детство
to be in one’s second childhood
He was acting very strange, as if he was in his second childhood.
впадать в немилость
to fall from grace
He was one of the president’s closest advisers for several years but fell from grace when the fraud was discovered.
впадать в уныние
to lose heart
After so many unsuccessful attempts to win the championship, he began to lose heart.
впитать с молоком матери (что-л.)
to imbibe something with one’s mother’s milk
We imbibed a love for music with our mother’s milk.
врать как сивый мерин
to lie through one’s teeth
When he said he was not married he was lying through his teeth but I pretended to believe him.
время от времени
from time to time; (every) now and again/then; (every) once in a while
From time to time he sends me flowers.
I drink coffee every now and then.
We go to the cinema every once in a while.
все до одного
one and all
I would like to invite you to dinner, one and all.
всей душой
with all one’s heart and soul; heart and soul
I hope with all my heart and soul that you will succeed.
He loved her heart and soul.
вставать на колени (перед кем-л.)
to throw oneself at the feet of someone; to go down on one’s hands and knees (to someone)
Do I have to throw myself at your feet to convince you that I’m really sorry?
I won’t go down on my hands and knees to her, no matter how important she is.
вствать с левой ноги
to get out of bed on the wrong side
She must have got out of bed on the wrong side today – she is so grumpy.
вставлять палки в колеса (кому-л.)
to put a spoke in someone’s wheel; to throw a spanner in the works
We disagree about it, but I won’t put a spoke in his wheel.
You threw a spanner in the works supplying me with the wrong information.
всыпать по первое число (кому-л.)
to knock someone into the middle of next week; to give someone hell
My brother promised to knock me into the middle of next week if I crash his car.
His wife gave him hell when he came home late last night.
втирать
