Ч-193

ЧУТЬ ЧТО coll subord clause Invar fixed WO

1. in case some new development ( usu. trouble) should occur

if something (anything) happens (should happen)

in case something (anything) happens if anything crops up if something (anything) goes (should go) wrong in the event of trouble if there's any trouble.

(Кудряш:) А мать-то не хватится?.. (Варвара:) У неё первый сон крепок... Да и Глаша стережёт чуть что, она сейчас голос подаст (Островский 6). (К.:) But that ma of yours-no danger of her catching on?... (V.:) She sleeps like a log the first half of the night....Besides, Glasha is keeping watch

she'll let us know directly if anything goes wrong (6b).

2. when even the most minor problem, unpleasantness, complication etc arises, or even without any cause at all (one acts as stated)

at the slightest excuse (provocation)

at the least little thing at the drop of a hat.

В баню нас водили обычно два надзирателя, Ваня и Саня. Ваня маленький, чёрный, злой у него была кличка «Цыган». Чуть что - орёт, кроет матом, грозит, дерётся (Марченко 1). We were usually taken to the bath house by two warders, Vanya and Sanya. Vanya was short, dark and bad-tempered. His nickname was "Gipsy." At the slightest excuse he started bellowing, cursing, threatening and pummeling you (1a).

(Аннунциата:) Он очень вспыльчив, и чуть что — стреляет из пистолета (Шварц 3). (A.:) He's very quick-tempered and, at the least little thing, shoots his pistol (3a).