Ш-104

ШУТКИ ПЛОХИ с кем-чем coll VP subj. with бытье usu. pres fixed WO

some person (group, or force of nature) should be dealt with seriously, with caution, otherwise unpleasant consequences or troubles may follow: с Х-ом шутки плохи - X is not to be trifled with

don't (you shouldn't) fool (mess) around with X person X is not a person to play (toy etc) with (in limited contexts) person X is a tough customer.

Бедняга Маяна не знала, что с природою шутки плохи... (Искандер 4). Poor Mayana did not know that nature is not to be trifled with (4a).

(Шелавина:) ...Если он обманет меня, так ему же хуже. Со мной шутки плохи (Островский 3). (Sh.:). ..If he deceives me it will be the worse for him. I'm not a person to play with (3a).

Гено снизу вверх оглядел маленькую гневную фигуру помощника лесничего и что-то сказал в том духе, что шутки с ним плохи (Искандер 4). From the ground, Geno looked up at the small angry figure of the assistant forest warden and said something to the effect that he was a tough customer (4a).