ездить в Тулу со своим самоваром

Russian

Etymology

Literally, to go to Tula with your own samovar; compare bring owls to Athens and carry coals to Newcastle. The phrase derives from the fact that Tula is well known for its samovars. The phrase was coined by Chekhov.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈjezʲdʲɪtʲ ˈf‿tuɫʊ sə‿svɐˈim səmɐˈvarəm]

• Audio

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Verb

е́здить в Ту́лу со свои́м самова́ром • (jézditʹ v Túlu so svoím samovárom) impf

1. to do something that is clearly not needed
   • 2006 July 26 (last accessed), (Please provide the book title or journal name)‎^[1], archived from the original on 5 January 2006:

     И колле́ги удивлённо пожима́ют плеча́ми: В Ту́лу со свои́м самова́ром?

     I kollégi udivljónno požimájut plečámi: V Túlu so svoím samovárom?

     And the colleagues shrug their shoulders: to Tula with the samovar?

Conjugation

Conjugation of ездить в Тулу со своим самоваром: see ездить

See also

• в Ту́лу со свои́м самова́ром (v Túlu so svoím samovárom)