дело труба

• ДЕЛО (чьё) <ДЕЛА (чьи)> ТАБАК <ТРУБА> highly coll

[NP; these forms only; used as VPsubj with быть, pres only]

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⇒ s.o. is in a desperate situation that is sure to end badly (for him):

- дело (Х-ово) табак{{}}≈ X is in trouble (in hot water, in a real mess);

- X is done for;

- all is lost (for X);

- things are bad (hopeless, in a bad way) (for X);

- X is up the creek (without a paddle);

- it's all over for X;

- [in limited contexts] it's curtains for X.

     ♦ [Кривой Зоб:] Без руки ты - никуда не годишься!.. Нет руки - и человека нет! Табак твоё дело!.. (Горький 3). [K.Z.:] Without a hand you're good for nothing!...Having no hand is as good as being no man! You're done for!... (3a).

     ♦ "А что, хлопцы, дело табак? - сказал дед. - Киев сдают" (Кузнецов 1). "Well, boys, all is lost, eh?" said Grandfather. "They're surrendering Kiev" (1a).

     ♦ Дед заговорил о том, о чём Кузьма со страхом думал и сам: денег в деревне немного... Но не мог же Кузьма согласиться с дедом, что да, дело табак, он не имел права даже так думать. И он сказал: "Найдем, дед, найдем" (Распутин 1). The old man had put into words Kuzma's own fears. There was very little money in the village. ...But Kuzma could not accept the old man's conclusions that things were hopeless. He had no right to think so, and he said: "We'll find a way out, Grandad" (1a).

     ♦ "Ох, парень, я сам вижу, что дело наше - табак, а все как-то не верится..." - вздохнул Прохор (Шолохов 5). "Ay, lad, I can see for myself we're up the creek, but I still can't believe it somehow..." Prokhor sighed (5a).