милое дело

• МИЛОЕ ДЕЛО coll

[NP; Invar; fixed WO]

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1. [subj-compl with быть (subj: concr, abstr, or infin), pres only, or indep. sent]

⇒ sth. is most satisfying, agreeable, enjoyable:

- X - (самое) милое дело{{}}≈ X is the best (the greatest) (thing);

- X is a great thing;

- you can't beat X.

     ♦ "Одно жалею, - говорил он, - не я ему [Сталину], живоглоту любимому, гроб делал... На крышку изнутри самшит бы я пустил... Нет, лучше сандал, он пахнет... Спи только, родной, не просыпайся! Самое тебе милое дело - спать" (Владимов 1). "There's only one thing I regret," he said, "and that is that I didn't make Stalin's coffin, the dear old monster. ...I'd have lined the cover with box wood. ... No, sandalwood's better; it has a strong scent. ...Just so as you stay asleep, old pal, and don't wake up! The best thing you ever did was sleep" (1a).

     ♦ "Время-то надо убить, правда? В дороге шахматы - милое дело", - добродушно приговаривал Г.О., расставляя фигуры (Аксенов 9). "We've got to kill time, right?...you can't beat a game of chess on a trip," G O. chattered as he arranged the chessmen (9a).

2. iron [Interj]

⇒ how wonderful (used ironically to express dissatisfaction, surprise, indignation etc):

- that's just great (terrific)!;

- (oh) great, just great!;

- [in limited contexts] just what I need!;

- just what I wanted (needed) to hear!