гранить мостовую

• ГРАНИТЬ МОСТОВУЮ obs, highly coll

[VP; subj: human]

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1. to walk much, for a long time over streets, roads etc (usu. covering a great distance, often when carrying out necessary errands):

- X гранил мостовую{{}}≈ X measured (covered) the versts (the miles) on foot;

- X tramped along;

- [in limited contexts] X trudged over the pavement.

     ♦ [Устинья Наумовна:] Ну, уж хлопотала, хлопотала я для тебя, Аграфена Кондратьевна, гранила, гранила мостовую-то, да уж и выкопала жениха... (Островский 10). [U.N.:] Now, I've been bustling about, bustling about for you, Agrafena Kondratyevna; trudging, trudging over the pavement, and at last I've grubbed up a suitable man... (10b).

2. to roam or lounge about with nothing to do, be idle:

- X гранит мостовую{{}}≈ X is traipsing (strolling) about;

- X is hanging around doing nothing;

- X is lazing around (doing nothing).

     ♦ Должность у Козелкова была не мудреная: выйти в двенадцать часов из дому в департамент, там потереться около столов и рассказать пару скандалёзных анекдотов, от трёх до пяти погранить мостовую на Невском... (Салтыков-Щедрин 2). Kozelkov's job as a civil servant was not what you might call an arduous one: he left home at noon for his office, spent a few hours there chatting amiably to other departmental chiefs and telling them a few smutty stories, from three to five he strolled about on the Nevsky Avenue.. (2a).