отдавать концы

I

• ОТДАВАТЬ/ОТДАТЬ КОНЦЫ nautical

[VP; subj: human; usu. pfv Imper or infin used as a command; fixed WO]

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⇒ to release the ropes or cables that hold a ship at its moorings:

- отдать концы! ≈ cast off!;

- let go!

II

• ОТДАВАТЬ/ОТДАТЬ КОНЦЫ substand

[VP; subj: human; usu. this WO]

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1. to die:

- X отдал концы{{}}≈ X kicked off;

- X kicked the bucket;

- X cashed in (his chips);

- X turned up his toes.

     ♦ Без дачи и поликлиники на Грановского [Александр Иванович] давно бы отдал концы (Ерофеев 3). Without a summer cottage and the special clinics on Granovsky Street he [Alexander Ivanovich] would have kicked the bucket long ago (3a).

2. to run away, run off:

- X отдал концы{{}}≈ X took off;

- X took to his heels;

- X split (the scene);

- X lit (cut) out (of place Y);

- X cut and ran;

- [in limited contexts] X flew the coop.