несолоно хлебавши
Russian edit
Etymology edit
Literally "having eaten (supped) unsalted (i.e. unsalted food)" - from the time when bread and salt were expensive and were given by a host only to honourable guests.
Pronunciation edit
Phrase edit
несо́лоно хлеба́вши • (nesólono xlebávši)
- (idiomatic) empty-handed (having given or received nothing)
- Synonym: с пусты́ми рука́ми (s pustými rukámi)
- Футболи́сты верну́лись домо́й несо́лоно хлеба́вши.
- Futbolísty vernúlisʹ domój nesólono xlebávši.
- The soccer players returned home empty-handed.