Практическая грамматика

USE OF ARTICLES WITH NOUNS IN SOME SET EXPRESSIONS

§ 18. The use of the indefinite article with nouns in set expressions.

1) in a hurry—второпях; Things done in a hurry are done badly.
2) to have a mind to do some- I have a great mind to have
thing (a great mind, a good. mind) — a talk with her.
иметь желание что-либо сделать,
быть склонным что-либо сделать;
3) to fly into a passion — прийти If you contradict him, he
в бешенство; will fly into a passion.
4) to get in a fury (in a rage) — If you contradict him, he
прийти в ярость; will get in a fury (in a rage).
5) to take a fancy to (chiefly with I wonder why she took a
Names of living beings)— fancy to the little girl.
проникнуться симпатией,
по­чувствовать расположение;
6) in a low (loud) voice — тихо, Don't speak in a low voice.
(громко);
7) a great many (with countables) — много; I have spoken to him a
great many times.

8) a great deal ( with uncountables)—много; We can’t skate today,

there is a great deal of snow on the ice.
9) it is a pity — жаль. It is a pity you didn’t go
to the concert last night
10) it is a shame—стыдно. It is a shame not to know
these elementary things.
11) it is a pleasure—приятно. It is a pleasure to
read beautiful poetry.
12) as a result—в результате. As a result of the inhabitants’
strenuous efforts the damaged
city was soon rebuilt.
13) to have a good time—хорошо Last night we went to a party
провести время. and had a very good time.
14) to be at a loss—быть в не­доумении. She was at a loss what to
say.
15) at a glance—-сразу, с первого взгляда. She saw at a glance that
something had happened.

§19. The use of the definite article with nouns in set expressions.

1. 
   it is out of the question— “ Will you go to the theatre?”-“It’s
   

об этом не может быть и речи. out of the question.”
2) to take the trouble to do something — You have a difficult text to потрудиться. translate but you didn’t take the trouble
to consult the dictionary.

3. 
   in the original —в оригинале. You know English well enough to
   

read Dickens in the original.

4) to play the piano (the violin, the harp)— She plays the piano very

играть на рояле (скрипке, арфе) well.
5) to keep the house—сидеть дома. She has a cold and will have to keep the house for a couple of days.
6) to keep the bed—соблюдать постельный She has a bad cold and
режим. will have to keep the bed.
7. on the whole — в целом. On the whole Tom is a pleasant fellow, but sometimes he has whims.
8) the other day (refers to the past)—на днях. I met him the other day.

9. 
   on the one hand. . .on the other hand — On the one hand he excites
   

с одной стороны... с другой стороны . suspition, but on the other hand we have not enough evidence against him. (Oppenheim.)

9. 
   to tell (to speak) the truth— говорить правду. He always tells (speaks) the truth.
   

to tell the truth—no правде говоря. To tell the truth, I don’t like the girl.
11) to be on the safe side — для верности. I am almost sure of the pronunciation of this name, but to be on the safe side let us consult the pronouncing dictionary.