The Russian language is very rich and powerful with a variety of words, expressions and meanings. What would be the speech of a Russian person, if there weren’t so many wonderful and precise meanings of winged expressions, proverbs and sayings? A conversation on any topic can be diversified and decorated, using them.
But it is also important how the speaker accurately understands the meaning of phraseological units and winged expressions. After all, the conversation may come to naught, use it is not the right word in the wrong sense.
To replenish our vocabulary today, we will analyze the expression "let down under the monastery", find out its meaning, synonyms and give practical examples.
The meaning of phraseology
Currently, there are 2 points of view on the historical origin of this winged expression:
1. The first mention of the expression "let down under the monastery" in Russia was found in the 14th century. Only then was it interpreted in the literal sense. In those days, not only those who decided to devote their whole lives to serving the Lord, but also those who were objectionable and inconvenient to society, went to monasteries.
So, this method of sending to the monastery replaced the death penalty or prison. The wives of the supreme rulers were also sent to the walls of the temples, to which, let’s say, their feelings faded, or wives who did not have the opportunity to give birth to an heir. This phenomenon is gaining popularity under Ivan III. It cannot be said that only innocent people were exiled to monasteries. Sometimes, nevertheless, those guilty who deserved imprisonment were sent to repent and correct.
The oldest prison is considered to be the Solovki prison.
Such links lasted to correct criminals right up to the end of the 19th century. However, the expression "bring under the monastery", the meaning of which is "substitute", is still in use today.
2. According to philologist L. Varlamova, during the time of Ancient Russia, when the blind, holy fools and the poor went into an unfamiliar city and were in physiological need, they asked to be shown where the latrine was. Evil and harmful oncoming men sent the blind man to the gates of the monastery, where, in fact, the cripple was in need. At this moment, the rest of the passers-by and the clergy began to condemn him, scream, and could even beat him for such indecentness. From here the meaning of phraseologism “to substitute, put someone in an unpleasant position” comes out.
Synonyms
The synonyms of a catch phrase can include:
- "put a pig", that is, make meanness, put in an awkward position;
- "sit down" - to be in an unpleasant situation;
- "getting into trouble" - to be in an unpleasant or awkward position.
Examples
He did not tell me that I should have answered when they called me - he brought me under the monastery.
Anna refused to invest in our project, although she promised. She let us down under the monastery.
He did not go on stage at a crucial moment - he led him under a troupe under a monastery.