• ВОРОН <ГАЛОК, МУХ> СЧИТАТЬ; ВОРОН <МУХ> ЛОВИТЬ all coll, disapprov
[VP; subj: human]
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1. [often pres (in questions), neg imper, or infin with хватит, нечего etc]
⇒ to look around aimlessly, absent-mindedly, getting distracted from what one is doing:
- X ворон считает{{}}≈ X stands <sits etc> gaping;
- X stands <sits etc> there just looking (around);
|| Neg Imper ворон не считай{{}}≈ [in limited contexts;
- with verbs of motion] look <watch> where you're going.
♦ "Чего ворон-то считаете? - закричала Анна и замахала рукой. - Не видите, кто приехал?" (Абрамов 1). "Are you going to stand there just looking?" Anna waved her arms. "Don't you see who's come?" (1b).
♦ "Как пройти в управление, к Дудыреву?" - "Топай прямо да ворон не считай. Толкнут ненароком..." Семён направился по обочине дороги, оглядываясь во все стороны (Тендряков 1). "Can you tell me how to get to the Director's office, to Dudyrev?" "Straight ahead, only look where you're going, or there'll be an accident." Simon made his way along the path by the road, looking around him on all sides (1a).
2. to spend time aimlessly, lazily, be idle:
- X ворон считает{{}}≈ X loafs (around);
- X twiddles <sits around twiddling> his thumbs;
- X does absolutely nothing;
- X sits on his hands;
- X goofs off.
♦ Прекрати ворон считать! Сейчас же садись за уроки! Quit goofing off! Sit down and do your homework right now!
3. to be inactive (in a situation when some action is required or expected):
- X ворон считает{{}}≈ X (stands back <by> and) does nothing;
- X sits on his hands;
- X takes no action.
♦ Вопрос о том, какому отделу отдать освободившееся помещение, ещё не решён, но если вы будете ворон считать, то ваш отдел его точно не получит. It has yet to be decided which department will get the offices that have been vacated, but if you don't take action yours certainly won't.
Большой русско-английский фразеологический словарь. — М.: ACT-ПРЕСС КНИГА. С.И. Лубенская. 2004.