гол как сокол
Russian
Etymology
Literally, "naked as a battering ram".
Pronunciation
Adjective
го́л как соко́л • (gól kak sokól)
- (simile) absolutely poor (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):
See also
- го́ль на вы́думку хитра́ (gólʹ na výdumku xitrá)