взятки гладки

• ВЗЯТКИ ГЛАДКИ с кого coll, often disapprov

[sent; Invar; fixed WO]

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⇒ it is futile to attempt to hold s.o. responsible for sth. or get sth. out of him (because of his character traits, attitude, circumstances, financial situation etc):

- с X-a взятки гладки{{}}≈ you (he etc) won't get much (anything) out of X;

- you won't get anywhere with X;

- you're wasting your time on X;

- there is nothing you (he etc) can do to X;

- X cannot be called to account;

- [when s.o. cannot be blamed or punished for sth. because his accusers lack proof] you've (they've etc) got nothing on X.

     ♦ "Новенький полковник... донесёт, и придётся отвечать..." - "...С меня взятки гладки!" (Шолохов 5). "The new colonel... .will report this, and you'll have to answer for it...They won't get much out of me!" (5a).

     ♦ [Кречинский:]...Проглядел невесту; теперь на меня глаза пялить нечего: с меня, приятель, взятки гладки... (Сухово-Кобылин 2). [К.:] You've already lost your sweetheart-there's no sense in staring...at me like that now. You won't get anywhere with me, my friend... (2b).

     ♦ С патронами Дарья и не дала бы [Богодулу берданку]: у него ума достанет и пальнуть... Теперь только этого и не хватало. С него взятки гладки (Распутин 4). Darya wouldn't have considered giving it [the rifle] to him [Bogodul] loaded: he just might shoot it if he got angry. ...That's all they needed now. There was nothing they could do to him... (4a).

     ♦ "Что ж, смотрите, я - не боюсь! Вы же видите - я занят делом, я люблю свою Лиду и с меня взятки гладки..." (Терц 8). "Okay, look! I'm not afraid! You can see that I'm busy making love to my Lida, and you've got nothing on me..." (8a).

     ♦ Лучников легонько отодвинул Фредди и прошёл к дверям. Выходя, успел заметить, как Бутурлин разводит руками, - дескать, ну вот, с меня, мол, и взятки гладки (Аксёнов 7). [context transl] Luchnikov moved Freddy gently aside and made his way to the door unimpeded. Leaving the room, he caught a glimpse of Buturlin throwing up his hands as if to say. Well, what did you expect? I've done what I could (7a).