слыханное ли дело

• СЛЫХАННОЕ <СЛЫХАНО substand> ЛИ ДЕЛО coll

[sent; these forms only; usu. the main clause in a complex sent (often foll. by а чтобы-clause), a clause in a compound sent, or indep. sent (often used as an exclamation or rhetorical question); fixed WO]

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⇒ (used to express one's indignation over or strongly negative attitude toward some action or occurrence) this is unacceptable, outrageous, utterly unreasonable, should not be:

- whoever (who's ever) heard of such a thing (of anything like it)?;

- whoever heard of...?;

- it's (just <simply>) unheard of (unbelievable);

- this (that, it) beats all.

     ♦ "...Слыхано ли дело, - подьячие задумали нами владеть, подьячие гонят наших господ с барского двора..."(Пушкин 1). "Whoever heard of clerks imagining that they can take us over, that they can drive our masters out of their house?" (1b).

     ♦ "Слыхано ль дело, меня две власти приставили следить за лесом, а этот безродный грек заставляет меня следить за скотом" (Искандер 5). "It beats all - two regimes have appointed me to watch over the forest, but that kinless Greek is forcing me to watch the animals" (5a).