Phraseologisms with the word "labor" and their meaning

It's not a secret for anyone that the Russian language is rich in phraseology. Some stable expressions that are known today, arose several centuries ago, others appeared in Russian recently. For example, many phraseological units with the word "labor" are actively used in everyday communication. What is the significance of these speech structures, where did they come from? This information is useful to people who are trying to expand their vocabulary.

Phraseologisms with the word "labor": Sisyphean labor

Remembering the stable speech that contains this word, it is first of all to turn to the notorious misadventures of King Sisyphus. The meaning of phraseology with the word "labor" is most often directly related to the history of its origin. Corinthian ruler Sisyphus - one of the most striking characters of ancient Greek mythology. The king became famous throughout the world for such qualities as cunning and cunning. He repeatedly succeeded in deceiving the Olympic gods, when they tried to put an end to his volatile earthly existence, repeatedly deceived death. It was thanks to Sisyphus that the famous phraseology appeared with the word "labor", which managed to remain relevant in our days.

So, what does the stable expression of "Sisyphean labor" mean? Once the thunderer Zeus tired of the disrespectful Sisyphus, who placed himself above the inhabitants of Mount Olympus. As punishment, he condemned him to endless torments in hell. The king of Corinth was forced again and again to drag a huge stone onto a steep hill. As soon as Sisyphus was getting to the top, his burden fell from his hands and rushed down. A wearisome, meaningless work - this is the meaning from time immemorial invested in the expression "Sisyphean labor".

Martyshkin's work

There is another famous phraseology with the word "work", which many people like to use in their speech. The stable expression "Martyshkin labor" is interesting already by the fact that its inventor is known for certain, than rare phraseological units can boast of. More precisely, the apt phraseology has two authors at once. Honor of his invention is partly owned by the fabulist Ivan Krylov, who wrote many wonderful works, including the fable "The Monkey."

The main heroine of the fable is the envious Monkey, who did not like that she was praising someone other than her. In an effort to deserve the compliments of passers-by, she tried to portray a stormy activity, for several hours dragging a useless log to and fro. It becomes obvious that the phraseology "marmoskin labor" defines a meaningless job, in which no one needs. However, it was not the author of the fable "The Monkey" that introduced it, but the literary critic Pisarev, describing the vain efforts.

Hercules labor

Of course, there are other remarkable phraseological units with the word "labor", which are known to many people. As an example, we can cite the stable expression "Hercules labor". Unlike the two speech structures described above, this tradition is traditionally invested with a positive meaning, in some cases it can be ironic.

As is known from ancient Greek mythology, Hercules (Hercules) is the son not only of the mortal woman Alcmene, but also the most powerful god Zeus. Titan was mortal, but was endowed with an extraordinary power inherited from his father, who allowed him to hit the world with his twelve exploits.

Thus, the expression "Hercules labor" (or "Hercules labor") suggests that a man coped with a matter that seemed impossible, implied incredible efforts (moral and physical). In addition, the design is sometimes used as a description of hard work, and also as a joke, if someone greatly exaggerates their own merits.

Titans labor

What else there are original phraseological units with the word "work"? Some people like to use such an expression as "titans labor". The debate of linguists on its origin is still ongoing. Most researchers believe that it originated from the speech structure of "Hercules labor", accordingly, it imposes a similar meaning.

There is another point of view, less popular, which says that the phraseology of "Titans labor" came from the speech turnover of "Sisyphean labor". If you look at this theory, its significance is a useless, exhausting work.

Labor corn

Many phraseological units with the word "labor" have a folk origin, in other words, their author has not been able to establish until now. To this category, of course, is the popular speech construct "labor corn". It's no secret that calluses are small, small tubercles that appear on tired hands. Sometimes it's enough to shake a person's hand to understand that he has to work hard physically.

It's no wonder that some joker guessed to form a phraseology with the word "work", in which corn is mentioned (the result of labor). "Labor corn" ironically called the bulging belly. Unlike real calluses, you can get it without effort, you only need to eat a lot and move a little.

Non-existent phraseology

Often there are also stable speech constructions in everyday speech, in which the word "labor" is mistakenly used. "Phraseology," in Russian officially non-existent, but beloved by many people: "with difficulty dragging his feet." In fact, this stable speech turnover looks like "you can hardly drag your feet".

There are several values for the above expression. So they say about a man who goes very slowly, whereas he needs to hurry for one reason or another. Also, this phraseology is remembered when they talk about how someone falls off their feet from fatigue, is sick. Finally, it is used when describing the state of health of the elderly, most often with negative implications.

We compose ourselves

To come up with phraseology with the word "work" is a task that many people who are studying Russian (students, students, foreigners, etc.) can face. Run it easily, for example, using the word "sleeve". It's not a secret for anyone that you can work either by rolling up your sleeves, or "after sleeves". Replacing the verb "work" with the verb "to work", you can complete the task.

What does the speech structure "work, roll up sleeves", what sleeves have to do with work? Women's and men's outfits in Russia traditionally had long sleeves. Of course, it was difficult to carry out daily duties in such clothes, so before work the interfering sleeves rolled up so that the worker would not be distracted by them. Consequently, phraseology is used when a person works hard, not sparing his strength.

You can say "work through the sleeves." It is obvious that the opposite meaning is invested in this speech construction. So they say, when a person treats his duties negligently, he does it unwillingly. How to compose a phraseology with the word "labor", taking as a basis other constructions? For example, you can say "clumsy work" instead of "clumsy work" (rough work). Or substitute the word "work" in the speech turnover "the work of Penelope", describing the endless occupation. It is about the wife of Odysseus, who, in anticipation of her husband's return, rejected numerous suitors, promising to consider their marriage offerings when he finishes spinning the canvas. Of course, the canvas blossomed every night, in the morning the work began anew.

Popular aphorisms

The original and bright can be not only a phraseology with the word "work". The aphorisms in which it is involved are also actively used in everyday speech. For example, "labor wears out, but laziness destroys much faster" - this favorite aphorism is the fruit of the invention of President Franklin Roosevelt.

The same opinion about work as the aforementioned president, was adhered to by the famous artist Leonardo da Vinci, whose paintings today are fascinated by the whole world. The aphorism, which entered the people from his light hand, says that "happiness becomes the lot of only those who work hard."

Proverbs

Remembering interesting phraseological units with the word "work" and their meaning, do not ignore the folk proverbs. Almost every inhabitant of our country even in childhood learns that "without difficulty you will not get a fish from the pond." The meaning of this proverb is obvious - it is impossible to finish this or that case and enjoy its fruits, without making even minimal efforts.

Proverbs, as well as phraseological phrases with the word "labor", are a reflection of the people's wisdom, pass on the life experience accumulated by many generations. For example, you can recall the following statements: "evaluate a person according to his work", "laziness spoils, and labor feeds," "in labor are born heroes."

Interesting fact

Steady speech turnover, describing a person's work activity, may not contain the word "work". Examples of phraseological units, one way or another devoted to the work, can be brought quite easily, for example, we can recall the popular expression "to beat the buckets".

Speech construction has survived since the times when representatives of the common people used only wooden spoons during meals. The quality of these products directly depended on the skill of the manufacturer, some turned out well, others did not. The latter traditionally trusted only a rough job - chopping churok, intended for spoons, which were called "buckushi". This task was regarded as one of the easiest, even a child could cope with it. Therefore, "hitting the buckets" means idle pastime.

The expression "spinning like a squirrel in a wheel" is also related to work, although this is not a phraseology with the word "work". Examples can be recalled and others, for example, "chasing a loafer", "easier to steam turnip."