паче зеницы ока

• КАК ЗЕНИЦУ ОКА (ПАЧЕ ЗЕНИЦЫ ОКА obs, ПУЩЕ ЗЕНИЦЫ ОКА obs) беречь, хранить, лелеять кого-что

[как + NP (1st var.) or AdvP; these forms only; adv; fixed WO]

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⇒ (in refer, to a person or thing that one cherishes, that is very valuable etc) (to treat s.o. or sth.) as very dear, (to guard, watch over sth.) vigilantly, attentively:

- (guard (cherish) s.o. (sth.)) like the apple of one's eye (onefe dearest possession);

- (cherish (treasure) s.o. (sth.)) more than one's life (more than life itself);

- (guard s.o. < sth.>) with one's life.

     ♦ "Куда ты собрался, чудак?.. Куда ты хочешь тащить грудного младенца, которого тебе поручили беречь как зеницу ока?" (Каверин 2). "Where do you think you're going, you idiot?... .Where are you off to with that infant you are supposed to cherish like the apple of your eye?" (2a).

     ♦ "Вот вам книга... Это моя собственная книга. Берегите как зеницу ока" (Копелев 1). "Here's a book for you. ...This is my own copy. Guard it with your life" (1a).