The Russian Federation Ministry of Education

II. Translation of Connected Word-Combinations (Phraseological Units).
2.1. Characteristics of English Figurative Phraseology. The predominance of importance of the whole over importance of components is a character of phraseological units (further PU), i.e. connected word-combinations. Therefore, a translator has to translate a PU as a single whole. PUs are subdivided into figurative and not figurative.
The main task for a translator in translating of not figurative PUs is to keep up the norms of compatibility of words in the Russian language as quite often influence of English compatibility leads to literalisms (to make a sacrifice – приносить жертву, to have a good sleep – хорошо выспаться, to pay attention – обращать внимание).
# …took the matter in his own hands. (Ch.8, p.76). – …взял бразды правления в свои руки. (С.62).
# He took no notice of the flippant rejoinder. (Ch.2, p.23). – Джимми пропустил мимо ушей легкомысленный ответ. (С.26).
# Julia spent a happy morning in bed reading the Sunday papers. (Ch.8, p.71).
Джулия с удовольствием провалялась все утро в постели, просматривая воскресные газеты. (С.59).
Cardinal problems in the field of translation of set expressions are connected with translating of figurative phraseology which imparts vivacity, brilliance and pliancy to language. The task for a translator is to convey into the Russian language not only the meaning of a PU but its figurativeness and expressiveness.
# Julia was a damned good sort and clever, as clever as a bagful of monkeys; you could talk to her about anything in the world. (Ch.8, p.75).
Джулия славная женщина и умна, как сто чертей, с ней можно поговорить обо всем на свете. (С.62).
As a rule, an English PU has a lot of variant correspondences in the Russian language and every time a translator has to make a choice.
# She laid it on with a trowel. (Ch.8, p.75). (Lay it on with a trowel – грубо льстить, делать ч-л очень грубо, утрировать, хватить через край).
Больше она не боялась хватить через край. (С.62).