"Like a chicken paw": the meaning of phraseology. Phraseologisms with the word "chicken"

Many stable expressions convey the image of an object or action so expressively and vividly that it is difficult to find other words for describing them. This article deals with just such a phraseology, which is best able to depict an illegible handwriting.

The meaning of phraseology "like a chicken paw"

For many, illegible handwriting is associated with some medical record, in which it is difficult to understand what is written. The expression "like a chicken with a paw" immediately comes to mind. The meaning of phraseology perfectly conveys the image of an inaccurate manuscript. And it is often used not only by patients, but also by teachers who make comments to schoolchildren who do not have a beautiful handwriting.

The phraseology itself appears in the sentences as an adverb and means "crooked," "slovenly," "inaccurate," "careless," "somehow".

This expression is used to describe not only an ugly letter, but also unprofessional drawing. Therefore, it is used for beginners or simply non-talented artists.

Etymology

Imagine a chicken. Unlike a person, she does not have arms, instead of her wings, instead of legs - paws. Well, how can she write then? The meaning of phraseology "like a chicken paw" does not imply handwritten skills in this bird. It only speaks of untidiness.

If you've ever seen a chicken, then surely remember how she likes to dig in the ground on which after her remains traces. They can hardly be disassembled. Therefore, in people, poor manuscript work was associated with tricks of chicken paws. Because of the observation of the actions of this awkward and stupid bird and the utterance of the expression aloud, it is firmly entrenched in our language, has become sustainable and is used by us to this day.

Synonyms of phraseology in Russian

This stable expression, as we noted above, can be replaced by an adverb "inaccurately". To it it is possible to pick up different synonyms: somehow, ugly, sloppy, illegible, careless, incomprehensible, bad, bad. Adverbs are used. There are also other synonymous words: clumsy, indistinct, unclear, vague, indistinct, and the like.

This phraseology can be replaced and similar in meaning stable expressions. For example: how she wandered about forty. It has exactly the same interpretation as the expression "like a chicken with a paw": the meaning of phraseology is "illegible", "clumsy".

Synonyms in other languages

Probably all languages of the world are rich in idioms. Moreover, many stable expressions have synonymic meaning of phraseology in other languages. If we talk about the idiom we are considering, then there are many foreigners who are similar in meaning to it. For example, in English there is the expression chicken scratch, which translates as "scraping chicken". It means illegible letter. The English idiom has the synonymous meaning of phraseology "like a chicken paw". Expression with a similar meaning is and the French. It sounds like this: Ecrire comme un chat. Literally this translates to "write like a cat."

MI Dubrovin, the author of many textbooks on the English language, translates the phraseology we are considering as follows: To write like a chicken with its claw. And if you want to share this expression with a foreigner, then safely use this translation.

Antonyms of phraseology in Russian

It is pleasant for any person to look at a neat, legible handwriting. Especially teachers when checking the work of students. And they certainly will not say about such a handwriting "like a chicken paw". The meaning of phraseology does not allow it to be used for such moments. Here we need words with the opposite meaning, antonyms. To them it is possible to carry the following: clearly, legibly, accurately. A beautiful, skillful handwriting is called, as a rule, calligraphic.

If we talk about phraseology-antonyms, then with some stretch can be given as an example of the following: "golden hands" and "rolled up their sleeves."

The use of expression in the literature

"In the morning, we only do that we read letters from a certain person ... I'm scribbling like a chicken with a paw. Apparently, she was in a great hurry. " This passage is taken from the novel "Pelagia and the Black Monk" by Boris Akunin. He passes on to readers an image of a slovenly handwriting with the help of a steady turnover "like a chicken with a paw". The meaning of phraseology was used by the author skillfully. With his help, he describes not only the handwriting, but also conveys the mood of the heroes of the novel.

Writers and poets like to use winged phrases with folk sources. Because they are able to make the work bright and expressive. They are close, understandable to readers and easily perceived by them.

In his novel "Sasha Chekalin" VI Smirnov also uses the considered turn: "You write like a chicken with a paw ... you will not understand".

As we see, in the literature, as a rule, this phraseology is used to describe the illegible handwriting. In colloquial speech, it is used in various situations: when evaluating handwriting, artistic skills and certain actions.

Using an expression in colloquial speech

Without even noticing, we often use winged phrases. They are so firmly entrenched in our vocabulary that sometimes it is difficult to do without them. For example, the same expression "how to write a chicken with a paw". Phraseologisms of this kind are often found in the speech of teachers, patients, parents. All those who are faced with someone else's ugly handwriting.

Expression can also be used as self-criticism. For example, when someone learns to draw, tries, but he does not get anything and his pictures look like minnow. In this situation, I want to express myself colorfully, and not just say "it does not work out," "it's ugly." Such words are unable to convey the full force of frustration, self-criticism and irony. You need an idiom that conveys the necessary meaning. The words "how to write a chicken with a paw" at such moments fit perfectly. They describe both the work and the abilities of a painful artist.

Other phraseological units with the word "chicken"

Russian is rich in winged expressions, where the characters are different animals. The chicken was not bypassed. And not surprising! After all, none of the other animals is as good as she is, to portray a stupid creature.

When talking about a weak-willed, depressed person, use the phrase "wet chicken". And this is not accidental. The origin of this expression is due to the fact that this animal is wet in the rain and has a sad appearance when others, for example, geese and ducks, do not lose their appearance due to water.

Troubles and fuss due to the impersonal characterizes the phrase "rush like a chicken with an egg." It implies long and useless troubles.

When people speak of a poorly seeing person, they use the phrase "blind chicken". This expression is also used in the sense of "short-sighted, not thinking about tomorrow".

If someone unexpectedly got into an unpleasant situation, they say that he got "like a chicken in a pluck." But if the origin of the expression is related to the fatal outcome of poultry, then for people this turn means simply unfortunate circumstances.

About those who do not differ mind, they say that they have "chicken brains". Evaluation of the low intellectual abilities of people is not limited to just one expression. There are other phrases, for example, "chicken memory" (ie, short).

There is an expression "clucked like a chicken". It is applied to a person who too expressively defends his point of view, is indignant or justified.

Chaotic movement characterizes the expression "wandering like a chicken." It was due to the behavior of this poultry, its illogical routes.

When talking about a stupid and absurd act and incident, use the expression "chicken to laugh." This is due to the fact that this bird itself is comical. She does not fly, and even shy and stupid.

As we see, there are a lot of "chicken" phraseological units, and most likely, we did not remember everything. These winged expressions are often used in both colloquial speech and literature.

Conclusion

Phraseologisms adorn our speech, make it alive, imaginative. Especially such expressions, in which various animals are mentioned. With their help, comparative characteristics of people's behavior are given. When using "animal" phraseology, images become brighter, sharper, comical and ironic. Therefore, the knowledge of such expressions is useful for enriching the lexicon.

In this article we have considered the popular phraseology "like a chicken paw", the meaning of which is "sloppy" and "sloppy". We learned what synonyms can replace this idiom, how it is used by foreigners, how it is used in literature and in colloquial speech. We also examined other phraseological units with the word "chicken". There were a lot of them. And they all came to us from the people and firmly entered our speech.