вытянуть руки по швам

• ДЕРЖАТЬ РУКИ ПО ШВАМ{{}}

[VP, subj: human; the verb may take the final position, otherwise fixed WO]

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1. Also: СТОЯТЬ (ВЫТЯГИВАТЬ/ВЫТЯНУТЬ и т. п.) РУКИ ПО ШВАМ to stand erect with one's arms extended downward at the sides of one's body (generally when standing at attention):

- X стоял (вытянул) руки по швам{{}}≈ X stood with his hands at his sides;

- X held his arms at his sides;

- X dropped his hands (arms) to his sides;

- [in limited contexts] X stood to (at) attention.

     ♦ Шура стоял руки по швам, бледный... (Шукшин 1). Shura was standing there with his hands at his sides, his face white . (1a).

2. вытянуть руки по швам при ком, перед кем to be extremely deferential, obedient to s.o., act in a humble, proper manner in his presence (out of fear of this person, respect for his professional reputation, standing etc):

- X при Y-e держит руки по швам{{}}≈ X stands at attention (snaps to attention) in Y's presence.

     ♦ Нашего директора школы все боятся - при нем даже самые отпетые хулиганы держат руки по швам. Everyone is afraid of the principal of our school - even the biggest rowdies snap to attention in his presence.