Russian Idioms and Fixed Phrases for Foreigners. “Puskat' pyl v glaza”

We continue to familiarize our readers with popular fixed phrases. Let's look into the expression “puskat' pyl v glaza” (literally “throw dust in somebody's eyes”). Who throws? Why dust? What does it have to do with eyes? Isn't it strange that fine mud or dust can help deceive?

So. Meaning

If someone intentionally demonstrates their real or pretended virtues in public, they are said to “throw dust in someone's eyes.” People do so to seem more successful and make a good impression on other people, in simple words, to deceive and lie.

Origin

There are several versions of the origin of this expression.

The first version is a philological one. The phrase is a borrowing traced back to the Latin expression pulverem ab oculos aspergere/pulverem oculis offundere. During the battle, Roman gladiators used a ploy of throwing dust or sand from the area in their rivals' eyes to blind them.

The second version comes from history. The phrase is of Russian origin and is not borrowed from other languages and is related to the Law Code by Ivan the Terrible. At that time, arguments in Russia were settled in a rather bizarre way: a bare-knuckle boxing tournament was conducted, the winner of which was recognized as innocent. The maneuver of throwing sand/dust in rivals' eyes was used in Moscow in Troitskaya Square in the 16th century in a battle between the Russian man and the Lithuanian man. By the Tsar's decree of 1726, such tricks were forbidden. At that time, the phrase “throw sand/dust in someone's eyes” meant winning against the rules.

The third version is related to everyday life. The dust fog caused by carriages and carts driving along country roads prevented drivers who followed them from looking ahead, blurring their vision.

The fourth version is a mystic one. The expression was based on popular superstitions about sorcerers and witches who appear before people in whirls of dust.

The fifth version is related to trade. Fur traders powdered fur of low quality with fine road or tobacco dust and then shook pelts before buyers, filling their eyes with dust. The buyers found out that they had bought goods of poor quality only at home.

So, the fixed phrase “puskat' pyl' v glaza” was used as a metaphor for denoting actions aimed at making a false impression about success or importance when someone does not have any real achievements.

Usage

If you hear that some of your acquaintances or you are said to “throw dust in someone's eyes,” pause to think. Maybe your photos on social media do not reflect your true status, and your story of your journey is greatly exaggerated? And you are very eager to boast about something that you unfortunately do not have.

Synonyms

• boast
• put on airs
• show off
• flaunt
• deceive
• lie
• oversell oneself

We remind you that if you study Russian as a foreign language and come across some strange and/or incomprehensible linguistic phenomena, please contact us at dir@hedclub.com, and we will explain the problem in the simplest terms.