П162
МЕЛКО ПЛАВАТЬ
coll, rather
derogVPsubj:
humanpres or, rare, past
fixed WO 1. to lack sufficient ability, knowledge, experience etc to do sth.
usu. to accomplish
sth. significant)
X мелко плавает = X doesn't have what it takes (for sth. )
X is not the right caliber (for
sth. )X is out of (beyond) his depth (in
sth. ).
2. to be considered insignificant by the speaker ( usu. because of one's minor official position or low social status)
X мелко плавает » X is a (one of the) small fry
X is a nobody (a nonentity)
Meg X не из мелко плавающих - X isn't just anybody.
Смотреть больше слов в «Большом русско-английском фразеологическом словаре»
П163 →← П161