несолоно хлебавши

Russian

Etymology

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 guests.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [nʲɪˈsoɫənə xlʲɪˈbafʂɨ]

Phrase

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.