говорить на ветер

• БРОСАТЬ/БРОСИТЬ НА ВЕТЕР <НА ВЕТЕР> слова; ГОВОРИТЬ (БОЛТАТЬ) НА ВЕТЕР <НА ВЕТЕР> all coll

[VP; subj; human; often neg, esp. 1st var.]

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⇒ to speak without thinking, make rash promises that will not be fulfilled:

- X слов на ветер не бросает{{}}≈ X doesn't throw words around;

- X doesn't speak lightly;

- X is as good as his word;

- X lives up to his word;

- X means what he says.

     ♦ Все знали, что Болтун - не дурак, слов на ветер зря не бросает (Зиновьев 1). Everyone knew that Chatterer was no fool, that he never spoke lightly (1a).

     ♦ Его вызвали в Москву... и дали важное задание по выпуску танков, знали, что Ефим задание выполнит, он слов на ветер не бросал (Рыбаков 1). Не [Yefim] had been called to Moscow...and given an important assignment on tank output, which they knew he would deliver, as he was always as good as his word (1a).

     ♦ Он довольно долго молчал, а затем сказал - неторопливо, сосредоточенно - слова, которые я не могу забыть до сих пор, прибавив: "Я своих слов на ветер не бросаю" (Катаев 3). He was silent for a time, then he said-with unhurried concentration - something that I have not forgotten to this day, and added: "I mean what I say" (3a).