туда и дорога

• ТУДА И ДОРОГА coll

[sent; Invar; fixed WO]

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1. туда и дорога кому usu. disapprov s.o. deserves precisely that (which is specified by the preceding context), there is no reason to pity him: туда X-у и дорога ≈ (it) serves X right; X got what (no more than) he deserved; X asked (was asking) for it; [in limited contexts] X had it coming (to him).

     ♦ Дело идёт к развязке, сказал Неврастеник. Редколлегию разогнали. Претендент продал Мыслителя, Социолога и Супругу. Из редколлегии их выгнали... Туда им и дорога, сказал Болтун (Зиновьев 1). "Here comes the denouement," said Neurasthenic: "The editorial committee has been dissolved. Claimant has sold out Thinker, Sociologist and Wife. They've been expelled from the editorial board..." "Serves them right," said Chatterer (1a).

2. туда и дорога чему it is not worth regretting, being distressed over the loss of sth.: туда X-у и дорога ≈ X won't be missed; X isn't worth losing sleep over; X is no great loss; [in limited contexts] and a very good thing at that; and a very good thing, if you ask me; [in refer, to discarding sth.] that's where X belongs!

     ♦ [Любим Карпыч:] Вот я этот капитал взял да пропил, промотал. Туда ему и дорога! (Островский 2). [L.K.:] So I took it [the money] and squandered it. Drank it up. And a very good thing, if you ask me (2b)

     ♦ "...Свой-то пистолет схватил, оборотился назад, да швырком, вверх, в лес и пустил: "Туда, кричу, тебе и дорога!"" (Достоевский 1). "...I seized my pistol, turned around, and sent it hurtling up into the trees. 'That's where you belong!'" (1a).