где уж

• КУДА (ГДЕ) УЖ ком у coll

[Particle, foll. by infin; fixed WO]

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⇒ s.o. undoubtedly cannot do sth. (because of old age, poor health, inexperience, lack of training etc):

- куда уж X-у (сделать Y) ≈ how (in the world) can X (be expected to) do Y?;

- how can you expect X to do Y?;

- there's no way X can do Y;

- X will never be able to do Y (to handle it);

- what chance does X have (of doing Y)?;

- [in limited contexts] X doesn't have what it takes;

- not in the state (shape) X is in;

- X is not up to that.

     ♦ Куда уж ему [Серёже], он ни разу не поцеловал девушки, а эти дьяволы опытны... (Гроссман 2). What chance did he have? He'd never kissed a girl in his life. And those devils were experienced... (2a).

     ♦ [Мелания:] Притворяется он сумасшедшим. Притворяется... [Ксения:] Ой ли? Где уж ему... (Горький 2). [М.:] He's pretending to be mad. Just pretending... [K.:] I'm not so sure. Not in the state he's in... (2a).