гол как сокол

Russian

Etymology

Literally, “naked as a battering ram”.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈɡoɫ kak sɐˈkoɫ]

Adjective

го́л как соко́л • (gól kak sokól)

1. (simile) absolutely poor (but crafty, resourceful, street-smart)

Usage notes

• In this simile, соко́л (sokól) does not mean "falcon" (со́кол (sókol, “falcon”) is stressed on the first syllable), but an old device for breaking walls.
• The phrase can be extended to (revealing the implied meaning):

  го́л как соко́л, а остёр, как топо́р ― gól kak sokól, a ostjór, kak topór ― naked as a battering ram but sharp as an axe

  го́л как соко́л, а остёр, как бри́тва ― gól kak sokól, a ostjór, kak brítva ― naked as a battering ram but sharp as a razor

See also

• го́ль на вы́думку хитра́ (gólʹ na výdumku xitrá)