If you're close, you won't bite the proverb. The meaning of the proverb is that the elbow is close, but you won’t bite it

Internet marketer, editor of the site "In an accessible language"
Publication date: 10/13/2019

Different roads lead to achieving results, and, as a rule, the longer one is more reliable. We really want it to be “everything at once.” As soon as something attractive appears on the horizon, we think about how to appropriate it.

But luck doesn’t always flow into your hands. The Russian people have a proverb about just such a situation: “the elbow is close, but you won’t bite.” Let’s figure it out together how to understand it literally.

The meaning of phraseology

Expression “The elbow is close, but you won’t bite” used when it seems that the goal is very close, but in fact it is still far away from achieving it. We are beckoned by some wonderful prospect. We hope to bring the happy moment of a dream come true, but suddenly we realize that happiness is impossible. For what reasons? Yes, in very different ways.

This proverb can be used in speech by a young man who is invited to a wedding, but does not share the general fun.

If he has been a friend of the bride for many years and secretly managed to fall in love with her passionately, and she gives her heart to another, the elusive beloved can be compared to that very elbow that cannot be bitten.

Another example of the use of the expression is the situation when a security guard, far from aesthetic pleasures, contemplates every night an expensive piece of art stored under museum glass.

He doesn’t care whose head is crowned with a beautiful crown, but he understands that for each of the stones decorating it he can buy a three-story mansion with a swimming pool and a golf course.

The shine of gold attracts the poor fellow, but he is not ready to risk his life and steal the treasure. Bite - don't bite, but it's too tough for him!

The goal can be both noble and base, but when you encounter objective obstacles along the way, you have to say goodbye to far-reaching plans.

Origin of the proverb

In all likelihood, the proverb was born from everyday observations of human behavior and the characteristics of his physiology. Try biting your elbow and you will immediately understand the essence of folk wisdom. Does not work? That's it!

Wait. But what about the phraseological unit “biting your elbows”? So, is this state of affairs still possible? The fact is that this idiom arose precisely on the basis of the proverb that we are analyzing.

When the proximity of joyful possession turns out to be illusory, all that remains is to regret it, again and again trying to do the impossible. It turns out that “biting one’s elbows” means not just grieving about a loss, but also, so to speak, actively suffering.

When a person hopes to change something, despite the obvious failure, he suffers, preparing to gnaw through obstacles with his own teeth, he “bites his elbows.”
It turns out that it is useful to remember the almost forgotten proverb about a close elbow in order to interpret a completely modern and well-known phraseological unit.

Synonymous expressions

In the Russian language, the stable expression “the elbow is close, but you won’t bite” has many synonyms:

The eye sees, but the tooth numbs;
and I want it, and it pricks;
yes, yes, but not about your honor;
not to be seen as the Kingdom of Heaven;
Not a hat for Senka.

Curious analogues are found in foreign languages:

Honey is sweet, but the bee stings (English) - honey is sweet, but the bees sting.
Das ist bald gesagt, aber schwer getan (German) - easy to say, but difficult to do.
Lo veras pero no lo cataras (Spanish) - you will see, but you will not catch.

It's hard to accept that not all the best things in the world belong to us. It's even harder to believe that not all obstacles are surmountable. But how can you learn humility if you don’t realize it? Even our own body can’t do everything. So, instead of a pointless attempt to grab yourself by the elbow with your teeth, you should calmly look around and look for other goals.

close, but you won't bite

Alternative descriptions

The crook of the arm where the humerus connects to the bones of the forearm (radius and ulna)

Russian measure of length is about 11 vershoks

Part of a garment sleeve

Old Russian measure of length (38-46 cm)

. "Close... but you won't bite"

. "Knee" on the hand

He's close - but you won't bite! (proverb)

It is not customary to put it on the table

Victim of Annoyance

M. junction of the ramen (humerus) bone with the two next below it (ulna and radius); bend, joint, protruding angle of the upper limb, arm. Lean on your elbow. Don’t put your elbows under your sides, don’t push. The entire part of the arm, from this joint to the wrist, consisting of two bones: the radius and the ulna; one last one, which with its tip bends around the coil of the humerus and forms the very angle of the joint. in the form of a measure, the length from the corner of this to the end of the middle finger is about 14 vershoks; used throughout the western region; Vilna elbow, the same. Angle, broken bend, elbow, outgoing tooth and distance or space from break to break. The river is all in the elbows, it flows like elbows, it extends out or juts out like an elbow. Go elbow to elbow, or elbow to elbow, side by side, right up. Hurt your elbows, jostle in the crowd. Close to the elbow, but you won’t bite. You can't bite your elbow. Lived like an elbow, but lived like a fingernail. We are going to live by the elbow, but we live by the nail. He's as long as a fingernail, and his beard is as long as his elbow. Give from the claw, ask from the elbow. He's as tall as his elbows, and his caftan is short. in someone else's hands, a fingernail the size of an elbow. Under the nose, not under the elbow. Press under your elbow, appropriate. Eyes on the elbows. tailor and elbow on departure. The elbows shook. Be afraid of a thin elbow and a bright button, an orderly one. The girl hurts her elbow, the single guy remembers. The elbow itches, to grief. The elbow itches (scratch the elbow), sleep in a new place. At least keep your hand away up to the elbow! god. every son is elbow-deep in gold, waist-deep in silver, a clear moon on the forehead, frequent stars on the back of the head. Ulna, internal, opposite the little finger; it forms the very corner of the elbow, and under the wrist the ankle; when the hand is turned palm down, the radius crosses over the ulna. Elbow, related to the elbow. Elbowed, curved, cranked, broken, jagged. Elbow, elbow, to a lesser extent. Elbowness, elbowness g. comp. by value adj. Elbow m. handle, handrail, handrails of chairs, sofas. Elbow m. Elbow pad, groove-forged elbow pad, armor for protection from cutting. Elbow, yawn out the window, leaning on your elbow. Elbow (elbow) g. bend, died, knee, corner, tooth. Loktevina River

Arm bend location

On the leg there is a knee, and on the arm

You won't bite him out of resentment

Sensible friendly part of the hand

The felt part of a friend's hand

Russian measure of length

Russian measure of length, equal to 102/3 vershok

Manual analogue of a robot joint

Fold for an annoying bite

Ancient Russian measure of length

What they try to bite out of frustration

A robot has a joint on its arm, but a human has

A part of the body that is too tough for its owner

Part of the body that should not be placed on the table

In Ancient Rome: a unit of length equal to 44.4 cm

Non-systemic measure of length; equal to two spans, or 38-46 cm

A measure of length before the 18th century, equal to the distance from the elbow joint of the hand to the end of the extended middle finger, equal to about 2/3 of an arshin - about 46 cm

Hand border guard

Hand part

Bitten victim of self-displeasure

Part of the hand that is hard to bite

Feel... friend

. "knee" on the hand

A robot's arm has a joint, but a human's?

On the leg is the knee, and on the arm?

. "knee" on the hand

. “close... but you won’t bite”

They bite him out of frustration

Proverbs, sayings and various aphorisms are an important part of the Russian language, a heritage inherited from our ancestors and passed on from generation to generation. These are short but succinct sayings containing some advice or instruction.

Some proverbs are used more often in modern speech, some less frequently. For example, you can often hear phrases such as “Your elbow is close, but you won’t bite”, “If you drive more quietly, you will continue”, “Don’t have a hundred rubles, but have a hundred friends.” Many sayings have become so firmly established in everyday speech that they are not perceived as ancient proverbs (“Neither for ourselves nor for people”, “Neither for the village nor for the city”, “Neither fish nor meat, nor caftan nor cassock”).

“The elbow is close, but you won’t bite”: first meaning

The proverb “The elbow is close, but you won’t bite” is used when talking about something that seems very close and accessible, but which is impossible to get. If you take this proverb literally, you can understand why it sounds the way it does. Due to the anatomical structure, a person cannot bite his own elbow, despite the fact that at first glance it seems very simple. In this case, analogues to the phrase “The elbow is close, but you won’t bite” can be the proverbs “The eye sees, but the tooth is numb” and “You can’t see your ears.”

Second meaning

This saying is also used in cases where it is impossible to correct any previously made mistake, due to which the planned goal cannot be realized. In other words, everything could have turned out differently, but now it’s too late.

Writing an essay on a proverb

Often the task of writing an essay or short story based on a proverb is given in school literature or Russian literature classes. To explore a given topic as much as possible, it is recommended to write following a specific plan.

Introduction. In the introductory part of the essay, you can briefly describe the history of the proverb and give several options for its use in popular literary works. For example, the phrase “The elbow is close, but you won’t bite” is used by Leo Tolstoy in the story “The Traveler and the Peasant.”
The main part, divided into two subsections. In the first of them, it is necessary to succinctly explain the essence and meaning of the proverb. In the second, you need to describe your personal opinion - agree with the proverb or, conversely, express the opposite point of view. It is important that all reasoning and reflections be logically argued.
Conclusion. The part in which it is worth mentioning the meaning of the proverb again and drawing a competent conclusion.

And the elbow is close, but you won’t bite.
Cm. WILL - BONDAGE

- other measure of length, resp. approx. ulna. The length of the L. ranged from 370 mm to 555 mm...
Ancient world. encyclopedic Dictionary
- even close, but if you can’t reach it, you won’t be able to. Wed. Yes, said the rider, the elbow is close, but you won’t bite... There is happiness, but there is no sense to look for it. A.P. Chekhov. Happiness...
(original spelling)
- High. About the imminent death of someone. - Brothers! my hour is near, no one can escape his fate...
- even close, but you won’t get it: you won’t succeed Wed. Yes,” said the driver, “the elbow is close, but you won’t bite... There is happiness, but there is no mind to look for it.” A.P. Chekhov. Happiness...
Mikhelson Explanatory and Phraseological Dictionary
- The sexton, getting excited, hit the merchant in the nose; The merchant grabbed a bottle and a tray from the table - He waved at his friends - and Satan had fun! In this vale, alas, crying is always close to laughter! V.L. Pushkin. Dangerous neighbor. See the vale of sorrow...
Mikhelson Explanatory and Phraseological Dictionary
- what. High Express The time is coming for some important events, changes in something. reckoning with the enemy! liberation of our native land! ...
Phraseological Dictionary of the Russian Literary Language
- See WILL -...
- See WILL -...
IN AND. Dahl. Proverbs of the Russian people
- See LIFE -...
IN AND. Dahl. Proverbs of the Russian people
- Cm....
IN AND. Dahl. Proverbs of the Russian people
- Ears don’t grow above the forehead...
IN AND. Dahl. Proverbs of the Russian people
- not far...
Synonym dictionary
- adj., number of synonyms: 1 close to death...
Synonym dictionary
- adj., number of synonyms: 1 close to the coffin...
Synonym dictionary
- adj., number of synonyms: 10 the elbow is close, but you can’t bite, the eye can see, but the tooth is numb, everything could have turned out differently, but now it’s too late not to see how to not see your ears like the kingdom...
Synonym dictionary
- adverb, number of synonyms: 3 far from passing beam not close beam...
Synonym dictionary

“And the elbow is close, but you won’t bite.” in books

Dumplings with cabbage, onions, eggplants, parsley and carrots “The less you bite, the faster you swallow”

From the book Original recipes for Ukrainian dishes author Treer Gera Marksovna

Chapter 42

From the author's book

Chapter 42. RAISING THE ELBOW After dinner, when the tablecloth is removed from the table, a human skull filled with Burgundy is passed around - a custom that I do not dare to neglect. C. S. Matthews visiting Lord Byron at Newstead Abbey, 1809 Italian expression for "raise your elbow"

Speak to a bruised elbow

From the book of 7000 conspiracies of a Siberian healer author Stepanova Natalya Ivanovna

Speak to a bruised elbow It would seem that this, well, a bruised elbow, it can be worse, will pass. But no. Firstly, a bruised elbow hurts for a long time. And it happens that your hand begins to dry out. You need to speak with your elbow in time. Look at the elbow and say this: Bone, blood, vein,

Speak to a bruised elbow

From the book Conspiracies of a Siberian healer. Issue 01 author Stepanova Natalya Ivanovna

Speak to a bruised elbow It would seem that such a thing, well, a person bruises his elbow, it happens, soon everything will pass. In reality, everything is not so simple. Firstly, a bruised elbow hurts for a long time. Secondly, if you hit your elbow unsuccessfully, then your hand may begin to dry out. That's why,

Pyramid inch, primeval inch, sacred cubit and pyramid cubit

From the book The Mystery of the Pyramids. The Secret of the Sphinx. author Schoch Robert M.

The Pyramid Inch, the Primordial Inch, the Sacred Cubit and the Pyramid Cubit Hypotheses about the existence of the “pyramid inch”, the “primitive inch”, the “sacred cubit” and the “pyramid cubit” go back to the biblical pyramidologists of the 19th and 20th centuries (Kingsland, 1932). Other authors, notably Cottrell (1963),

3.4.3 Sitting on your elbow

From the book Security Encyclopedia author Gromov V I

3.4.3 Sitting on the elbow The shooter is positioned reclining, leaning on the support with the elbow and forearm of the bent supporting arm. The hand with the gun can rest on the bent knee

Cubit (measure of length)

From the book Great Soviet Encyclopedia (LO) by the author TSB

ELBOW (PAIN)

From the book Your Body Says “Love Yourself!” by Burbo Liz

ELBOW (PAIN) Since the elbow is part of the arm, see the article ARM (PAIN). In addition, there is an expression “to keep your elbows free,” that is, to have freedom of action, and the word “elbow” itself in the past also meant a measure of length. Thus, pain in the elbow indicates that

Tennis elbow

author Borshchenko Igor Anatolievich

Swimmer's elbow

From the book Joints without pain [Isometric gymnastics course] author Borshchenko Igor Anatolievich

Tennis elbow

author Borshchenko Igor Anatolievich

Tennis Elbow One way or another, not only athletes suffer from tennis elbow. For example, artists, plumbers, carpenters, mechanics, car mechanics, cooks, lumberjacks and even butchers suffer from this disease more often than others. That is, those workers in whose hands there is a tool,

Swimmer's elbow

From the book How to get rid of pain in the joints of the hands author Borshchenko Igor Anatolievich

Swimmer's elbow Similar inflammation, although less common, can occur in the area of the internal epicondyle. In this case, the disease is more often seen in golfers or backstroke swimmers. This is why the disease is called internal epicondylitis, or "swimmer's or golfer's elbow."

Close elbow

From the book Battle of the Year: Defense of Saur-Mogila author Noreen Evgeniy

Close Elbow Gradually the corridor to the south of the height became smaller. On July 17, the pontoon bridge across the Mius was destroyed, which made the road for Ukrainian equipment not only dangerous, but also tortuous. Hastily assembled detachments of Ukrainian troops tried to break through a full-fledged corridor,

Up to your elbows in the news

From the book Born by TV author Taroshchina Slava

Up to your elbows in the news It’s a pity that the “Show News” program, a witty parody of information and analytical broadcasting, did not last long on the air of the STS channel. The motto of the author and presenter Sergei Netievsky, captain of the Kaveen team “Ural Dumplings”, is that we are cool.

61. Elbow to elbow

From the book In the Presence of God (100 letters about prayer) by Caffarel Henri

Close to the elbow, but you won’t bite

(foreigner) - and close, but you can’t reach it: it won’t be possible

Wed. Yes, - said the tracker, - the elbow is close, but you won’t bite... There is happiness (treasure), but there is no mind to look for it.

A.P. Chekhov. Happiness.

Wed. He looks (the policeman “with a conscience in his pocket”) - all kinds of living creatures are lying (in the market), all sorts of materials are spread out, and all this seems to say: here we go. The elbow is close, but you won’t bite!

Saltykov. Fairy tales. Conscience is gone.

Wed. You should have listened to me the other day, when you came for advice, but now... you’ll torture yourself - and you still can't bite your elbow.

I.S. Turgenev. Steppe King Lear. 15.

Wed. Das Nächste steht oft unerreichbar fern.

The nearest is often unattainably far.

Gothe. Die natürliche Tochter. 4, 3.

Wed. Eι δέον (ήδειον) ρέει, αλλα έχει τρύπαν.

Pleasant things flow, but there is a hole (in the sense: unattainable).

Wed. Krumbacher. Mittelgr. Sprichw.

Wed. "Άλλην μεν εξηντλουμεν ή δ"έπει ρέει .

We overcome one misfortune, and another comes.

Zenob. 1, 75.

Cm. The dog sees milk, but it’s deep in the jug .

Russian thought and speech. Yours and someone else's. Experience of Russian phraseology. Collection of figurative words and parables. T.T. 1-2. Walking and apt words. A collection of Russian and foreign quotes, proverbs, sayings, proverbial expressions and individual words. St. Petersburg, type. Ak. Sci.. M. I. Mikhelson. 1896-1912.

See what “close to the elbow, but you won’t bite” is in other dictionaries:

- (foreign language) and close, but you won’t be able to reach it. Wed. Yes, said the rider, the elbow is close, but you won’t bite... There is happiness (treasure), but there is no mind to look for it. A.P. Chekhov. Happiness. Wed. Looks (quarterly “with a conscience in his pocket”) lying (in the market) ...

Close to the elbow, but you won’t bite. See WILL NAVOLY...

Husband. the junction of the ramen (humerus) bone with the next two below it (ulna and radius); bend, joint, protruding angle of the upper limb, arm. Lean on your elbow. Don’t put your elbows under your sides, don’t push. | The entire part of the arm, from the joint of this... ... Dahl's Explanatory Dictionary

He sulked, but didn’t puff out. I'm exhausted. You can’t, you won’t be able to handle it; but if you strain yourself, you won’t be able to help. What will happen to him: you won’t be able to take off his hat (from the old custom of disgracing someone by taking off their hat). You can't take his hat off. Bribes from him are smooth. The camel lay down, so... ... IN AND. Dahl. Proverbs of the Russian people

If you don’t make it, they beat you, if you don’t make it, they beat you (sailor.) And if you don’t make it, they beat you, and you roll over, they beat you. Wed. And if you don’t turn around, they’ll beat you, and if you turn over, they’ll beat you. Do what you like! The elbow is close, but you won’t bite. Saltykov. Little nothings of life. In the field of sowing. 3. Wed. Pointing to... ...

They beat the soldier for everything: they beat him if he doesn’t walk, and they beat him if he walks over. If you can’t hold out they beat you, you’ll outlast them (sailor). And you won’t trust them to beat you, and you’ll turn over and they’ll beat you. Wed. And you won’t trust them to beat you, and you’ll turn over and they’ll beat you. Do as you please! The elbow is close, yes... ... Michelson's Large Explanatory and Phraseological Dictionary (original spelling)

It flowed down my mustache but didn’t get into my mouth. Wed. There was money, but they didn’t have time to take it: it flowed down my mustache, but it didn’t get into my mouth... Ostrovsky. Forest. 4, 1. Wed. Here... it didn’t work out, the house wasn’t like that, it was impossible to insist too much... just now... we were running down our mustaches, but in... Michelson's Large Explanatory and Phraseological Dictionary (original spelling)

The cat smells milk in the jug, but its snout is short. Wed. And you’re looking for a match... otherwise you’re not choosing the right one. Your eyes are painfully envious... Here's a proverb: a dog sees milk, but its snout is short. Ostrovsky. What you go for is... ... Michelson's Large Explanatory and Phraseological Dictionary

Wed. There was money, but they didn’t have time to take it: it flowed down my mustache, but it didn’t get into my mouth... Ostrovsky. Forest. 4, 1. Wed. Here... it didn’t work out, the house wasn’t like that, it was impossible to insist too much... just now... it was running down our mustaches, but it didn’t get into our mouths. Dahl. Bread dealers... ... Michelson's Large Explanatory and Phraseological Dictionary

The dog sees (hears) milk, but its snout is short (and the jug is deep). The cat smells milk in the jug, but its snout is short. Wed. And you look for a match... otherwise you keep choosing the wrong suit. Your eyes are painfully envious... Here you go...... ... Michelson's Large Explanatory and Phraseological Dictionary (original spelling)