гол как сокол

Russian

Etymology

Literally “naked as a battering ram”.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): [ɡol kak sɐˈkol]

Adjective

гол как соко́л • (gol kak sokól)

  1. (simile) absolutely poor (literally: "naked") (but crafty, resourceful, street-smart)

Usage notes

  • In this simile, соко́л (sokól) does not mean "falcon" (со́кол (sókol, “falcon”) is stressed on the first syllable), but an old device for breaking walls.
  • The phrase can be extended to (revealing the implied meaning):
    гол как соко́л, а остёр, как топо́р ― gol kak sokól, a ostjór, kak topór ― naked as a battering ram but sharp as an axe
    гол как соко́л, а остёр, как бри́тва ― gol kak sokól, a ostjór, kak brítva ― naked as a battering ram but sharp as a razor

See also

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