мое почтение

I

• МОЕ <НАШЕ> ПОЧТЕНИЕ (кому); НИЖАЙШЕЕ ПОЧТЕНИЕ all obsoles

[formula phrase; these forms only; fixed WO]

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⇒ a salutation used upon meeting or parting:

- [upon meeting] good day (morning, evening, afternoon);

- my respects;

- my compliments;

- greetings!;

- how do you do;

- [when parting](my) regards;

- good day (to you);

- have a good (pleasant) day.

     ♦ "М-маё п-пачтенье [phonetic spelling = мое почтенье]!" - вскричал вдруг знакомый голос. Раскольников задрожал. Пред ним стоял Порох; он вдруг вышел из третьей комнаты (Достоевский 3). "M-my c-compliments, sir!" a familiar voice suddenly exclaimed. Raskolnikov gave a shudder. Before him stood Gunpowder; he had suddenly come out of the third room (3d). "Gr-r-reetings!" a familiar voice cried out suddenly. Raskolnikov shook. There stood Gunpowder; he walked out suddenly from the third room (3c).

     ♦ [Городничий:] Желаю здравствовать! [Хлестаков:] Мое почтение... (Гоголь 4). [Mayor:] How do you do, Sir! [Kh.:] My respects... (4b).

     ♦ [Сахатов:] Да, да. Мое почтение! (Уходит с лёгким поклоном.) (Толстой 3). [S.:] Good day to you, then. (Gives a small bow, and turns to go) (3b).

II

• МОЕ ПОЧТЕНИЕ obsoles

[NP; Invar]

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1. approv [usu. subj-compl with быть (subj: any common noun)]

⇒ sth. is absolutely amazing, unbelievable:

- X - моё почтение{{}}≈ X is really something!;

- X is (really) something else!;

- X is like nothing you've ever seen (tasted etc) before;

- [in limited contexts] I take off my hat to X.

     ♦ "...Признаюсь, не люблю я также винтовок черкесских; они как-то нашему брату неприличны, - приклад маленький, того и гляди нос обожжёт... Зато уж шашки у них - просто мое почтение!.." (Лермонтов 1). "I must say, I also do not like Circassian rifles. Somehow, they don't seem to be suitable for the likes of us: the butt is so small you have to be careful not to get your nose burnt ...But then, those swords they have-ah, they're really something!" (1a). "I must admit I don't like the Cherkess rifles either; they are a bit inconvenient for the likes of us; the butt is so small that unless you watch out you may get your nose scorched. ...Their sabres now are a different matter - I take my hat off to them!" (1b).

2. obsoles, iron [Interj or subj-compl with быть (subj: usu. infin; pres only]

⇒ (used to express one's refusal to do sth., usu. sth. unpleasant, that is proposed, suggested, or requested by another) I absolutely will not do it:

- thanks, but no thanks!;

- no way!

     ♦ Ехать в такой ливень на другой конец города? Нет уж, мое почтение! Go all the way across town in a downpour like this? Thanks, but no thanks!