idioms and proverbs

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ангел - хранитель

guardian angel

Until his early thirties his Mother was his guardian angel making his life happy and cloudless

ангельское терпение

angelic patience

When I first time met those old people I was amazed by his angelic patience towards his longlife companion.

бабушка надвое сказала

there's many a slip between the cup and the lip

There's many a slip between the cup and the lip! Who knows what may happen, Dick! Who knows whether you'll be the Chairman next year?

беден, как церковная мышь

poor as a church-mouse

When they first met he was poor as a church mouse

в бегах

on the run

The man on the run is suspected of committing that crime

в глубине души

at the back of one's head

"Miles," I said, "how many other schemes have you got at the back of your head that you're going to spring on me one at time? (I.Shaw)

гадать на кофейной гуще

read in tea-leaves

He must have read it in tea-leaves, I have no other explanation!

нельзя объять необъятное

No living man all things can

хоть убей

for the life of me

For the life of me I can't understand it