The meaning of the phraseologism "through the stump of the deck", its origin

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Phraseological units are a real treasure in the Russian language. They help us express our thoughts figuratively and at the same time accurately.

In this article we will consider the meaning of the phraseological unit "through the stump of the deck." Let's enrich our vocabulary with one more stable expression.

The meaning of the phraseologism "through the stump of the deck"

For a more precise definition of this expression, let's turn to authoritative sources. In the explanatory dictionary of S. I. Ozhegov, the turnover “to bring down a deck through a stump” is revealed. The meaning of phraseologism in it is to do something somehow, slowly and badly. There is a stylistic mark "colloquial", which indicates that this expression refers to the colloquial style.

What is the meaning given to this stable turnover in the phraseological dictionary? In such a collection, edited by M. I. Stepanova, it is indicated that this phrase is colloquial. It means doing things slowly, carelessly.

Based on these interpretations, we can draw the following conclusion. The phraseological unit under consideration means poor, sloppy and slow work. But how did such a phrase come about?

Origin of expression

There are two mainversions of how such a phraseological unit appeared. The first has to do with cutting down trees. It was difficult to drag the log through the stump.

The second version is also related to trees. Specifically, with the fact that it is not so easy to walk through a brown forest (a forest felled by a storm). Through the stump you can stumble upon a rotten log. This is the etymology of the expression. She is unlikely to clarify the meaning of the phraseological unit "through the stump of the deck." But somehow this phrase implies a bad job.

Synonyms and antonyms

An expression close in meaning to this phraseological unit is "slipshod". This steady turnover also characterizes a job well done. Also synonyms are such words and combinations of words as play-play, haphazardly, reluctantly, somehow, hack, left foot and others. “Through the stump of the deck” coincides with them, the meaning of the phraseological unit.

The antonym for this expression is rolling up your sleeves. It characterizes a diligent, diligent approach to work.

Use

The expression we are considering is still not obsolete. Currently, it remains relevant, it is actively used in speech. It can be found in fiction, in the media, heard in everyday speeches.

The meaning of the phraseologism “through the stump of the deck” is a bad attitude to work, sloppy work, the performance of duties reluctantly, slowly. Therefore, this expression is a frequent characteristic of someone's activity.

Sometimes people themselves say that they did the work "through the stump of the deck" because they don't like it. Such a disapproving assessment of labor is contained in this phraseological unit. He figuratively conveys someone's unwillingness to work, to do their job well. It is short and at the same time capacious. Therefore, sometimes instead of ordinary words, in order to make a remark, to note a bad attitude towards work and poor-quality results, this expression is used. It doesn't sound harsh, but it contains all the characteristics of unwanted work.