в пух и прах

Russian

Etymology

Literally, "into fluff and dust/ashes".

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): [ˈf‿pux‿ɨ ˈprax]

Adverb

в пух и прах • (v pux i prax)

  1. (colloquial, with verbs of destruction such as разнести́ (raznestí) or разби́ть (razbítʹ)) to smithereens, to pieces (completely, totally)
    Артилле́рия уничто́жила го́род в пух и прах. ― Artillérija uničtóžila górod v pux i prax. ― The artillery destroyed the city to smithereens.
    Он разнёс в пух и прах свои́х сопе́рников. ― On raznjós v pux i prax svoíx sopérnikov. ― He left his competitors in the dust.
  2. (colloquial, with verbs related to dressing, especially разоде́ться (razodétʹsja)) to the nines (very smartly)
    Они́ бы́ли разоде́ты в пух и прах. ― Oní býli razodéty v pux i prax. ― They were dressed to the nines.
    Го́сти должны́ одева́ться в пух и прах. ― Gósti dolžný odevátʹsja v pux i prax. ― Guests are expected to dress to the nines.
  3. (colloquial, with verbs related to arguing or fighting, especially разруга́ться (razrugátʹsja)) ripping (each other) apart (arguing very badly)
    Я в пух и прах разруга́лась с колле́гой, вот и уво́лилась. ― Ja v pux i prax razrugálasʹ s kollégoj, vot i uvólilasʹ. ― I had a massive fight with a coworker, so I got fired.
    Они́ неоднокра́тно руга́лись в пух и прах. ― Oní neodnokrátno rugálisʹ v pux i prax. ― They repeatedly had massive arguments.
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