танталовы муки

• МУКИ ТАНТАЛА; ТАНТАЛОВЫ МУКИ both lit

[NP; pl only; fixed WO (1st var.)]

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⇒ suffering caused by the knowledge that some desired object, goal is within reach yet unattainable:

- the torments of Tantalus.

     ♦ До мельчайших подробностей помню день 1 сентября 1935 года, когда я, снятая партколлегией с преподавательской работы, заперлась в своей комнате, испытывая поистине танталовы муки (Гинзбург 1). I remember in the utmost detail the 1st of September 1935, when, having been dismissed from my teaching job, I shut myself up in my room and went through the torments of Tkntalus (1a).

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← In Greek mythology Tantalus, a king of Phrygia, was condemned by the gods for his crimes to sit chin-deep in water without ever being able to reach the food and drink that appeared in front of him.