[VP; subj: human; often pfv infin with пытаться]
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⇒ (to attempt) to understand s.o.'s innermost thoughts, feelings:
- X пытался заглянуть Y-y в душу{{}}≈ X tried to peer (look) into (the depths of) Y's soul;
- X tried to peer (look) into the hidden places of Y's heart;
- X tried to peer (look) into the depths of Y's being;
|| загляни себе в душу{{}}≈ look into your own soul;
- search your heart.
♦ "Нет, я положу конец этому, - сказал он, - я загляну ей в душу, как прежде, и завтра - или буду счастлив, или уеду!" (Гончаров l)."No, I shall put an end to this," he said. "I will look into her soul as I used to, and tomorrow-I shall either be happy or go away!" (1b).
♦ "А раскаяние хоть испытываешь какое-то?" - спрашиваю я. Мнётся некоторое время, как бы заглядывая себе в душу: "Да нет, ничего вроде не испытываю" (Амальрик 1). "But don't you feel at least a little bit sorry that you did it?" I would ask. Then, after some hesitation, as if my interlocutor were looking into his own soul, would come the reply: "No, I can't say as I really feel sorry" (1a).
Большой русско-английский фразеологический словарь. — М.: ACT-ПРЕСС КНИГА. С.И. Лубенская. 2004.