несолоно хлебавши

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Russian

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Etymology

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Literally, having eaten (supped) unsalted (i.e. unsalted food), from the time when bread and salt were expensive and were given by a host only to honourable/honorable guests.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): [nʲɪˈsoɫənə xlʲɪˈbafʂɨ]

Phrase

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несо́лоно хлеба́вши (nesólono xlebávši)

  1. (idiomatic) empty-handed (having given or received nothing)
    Synonym: с пусты́ми рука́ми (s pustými rukámi)
    Футболи́сты верну́лись домо́й несо́лоно хлеба́вши.
    Futbolísty vernúlisʹ domój nesólono xlebávši.
    The soccer players returned home empty-handed.