куда глаза глядят

• КУДА ГЛАЗА ГЛЯДИТ coll

[Invar; adv; fixed WO]

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1. идти, брести, бежать и т.п. куда глаза глядят (to walk, roam, run etc) without choosing a specific direction, without a prepared plan, indifferent to where one ends up (often used in cases when one is escaping from a dangerous, intolerable, volatile etc situation; also used when s.o. is deep in thought, emotionally distraught etc): уйти <убежать и т. п.> куда глаза глядят ≈ leave <run away etc> not caring where one is going; go anywhere (just to get out of here <there etc>; || брести куда глаза глядят ≈ wander aimlessly <randomly, at random>; go wherever one's legs carry (take) one; go wherever one's feet take one; walk without thinking (paying attention to) where one is going; go (walk etc) heedlessly (blindly etc); || беги -! - run away, go anywhere at all!; get out of here (there), it doesn't matter where you go!; go anywhere, just get out of here (there)!

     ♦ [extended usage] ...Если дождь пойдёт или гроза начнётся, не знают ковыли, куда им приткнуться. Мечутся, падают, прижимаются к земле. Были бы ноги, убежали бы, наверное, куда глаза глядят... (Айтматов 1). ...If it rained or stormed, the feather grass went frantic, it did not know what to do, where to hide. It tossed and flattened, pressed itself against the earth. If it had feet, it surely would run away, just anywhere at all (1a).

     ♦ ...Он хотел было поворотить назад, к дому, но домой идти ему стало вдруг ужасно противно... и он пошёл куда глаза глядят (Достоевский 3). ...He was about to turn back and go home, but the thought of going home suddenly repelled him. ...He walked on at random (3a).

2. идти, ехать, отправляться и т.п. куда глаза глядят (to walk, go, set off) wherever one chooses, desires (without restrictions or limitations):

- wherever one's fancy takes one;

- wherever one feels like (going);

- wherever the spirit moves one;

- wherever one's legs (will) carry (take) one;

- wherever one's feet (will) take one.

     ♦ И вдруг мелькнула в голове [у Орозкула] отчаянная мысль: "А плюну на всё и уйду куда глаза глядят!" (Айтматов 1). Suddenly a desperate thought flashed across his [Orozkul's] mind: "I'll spit on all this and get out. Just leave for wherever my fancy takes me" (1b).