The Russian Federation Ministry of Education

2.2 Methods of Figurative Phraseology Translation. Best way of translating of a figurative PU is using of a correspondence. These correspondences can be equivalent and variant.
2.2.1. Using of Phraseological Equivalent. Phraseological equivalent is such a figurative PU in TL which entirely corresponds to one in SL by meaning and stylistic and which is based on the same image. To this group belong international expressions. They are in most of Europe languages and have common origin. Usually, they bear biblical-mythological or literary character (sword of Damocles – Дамоклов меч, to cross the Rubicon – перейти Рубикон, to shed crocodile tears – лить крокодиловы слезы).
# I believer you’re prouder of your family than of looking lake a Greek god. (Ch.3, p.30). Мне кажется, ты больше гордишься своей семьей, чем тем, что похож на греческого бога. (С.31).
# Then, shark naked, she skipped on to the bed, stood up on it for a moment, like Venus rising from the waves, … (Ch.11, p.105). – Затем, абсолютно голая, вскочила на кровать, постояла на ней минуту, как Венера, рожденная из пены, … (С.84).
# She was as strong as a horse and never tired… (Ch.11, p.92). – Она была сильна, как лошадь, и никогда не уставала, … (С.75).
# “Poor lamb, he must be as poor as a church mouse.” (Ch.11, p.101). – “Ах ты, ягненочек! Видно, беден, как церковная мышь.” (С.82).
There are two kinds of equivalents: absolute and relative. Absolute equivalents of set expressions coincide with an original in every respect: grammatically, lexically and stylistically (to cast a glance – бросить взгляд, the bitter truth – горькая правда, to play with fire – играть с огнем, to read between lines – читать между строк).
# The strange thing was that when she looked into her heart… (Ch.18, p.185). - И вот что самое странное: заглянув в свое сердце, … (С.142).
# …she realized that it would be a bitter blow to his pride… (Ch.8, p.75). - …она понимала, каким это будет для него жестоким ударом по самолюбию,…(С.62).