нюхать пороха

• НЮХАТЬ/ПОНЮХАТЬ <НАНЮХАТЬСЯ> ПОРОХУ <-a> coll

[VP; subj: human; often neg]

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⇒ to participate in fighting a war, be in battle(s):

- X понюхал пороху{{}}≈ X has smelled <tasted> gunpowder;

- X has seen combat (action);

- X knows the smell of gunpowder;

- [in limited contexts] X has gotten used to the smell of gunpowder.

     ♦ "На этот раз отстоять вас [от мобилизации] не удастся. Страшная нехватка военно-медицинского персонала. Придется вам понюхать пороху" (Пастернак 1). "I can't stop them [from drafting you] this time. There's a terrible shortage of medical personnel. You'll be smelling gunpowder before long" (1a).

     ♦ "Я нанюхался пороху не с твоё!" (Шолохов 3). " ..I've seen a lot more action than you!" (3a).

     ♦ "Нет, пускай послужит он в армии, да потянет лямку, да понюхает пороху, да будет солдат..." (Пушкин 2). "No, let him serve in the army, let him learn to sweat and get used to the smell of gunpowder, let him become a soldier..." (2a).