не с руки

• НЕ С РУКИ кому{{}}

[PrepP; Invar; subj-compl with быть; used without negation to convey the opposite meaning]

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1. [subj: infin]

⇒ (in refer, to actions that require the use of a tool, instrument, weapon etc) it is difficult or impossible for s.o. to do sth. (because he is holding the tool etc that he is using in an uncomfortable position):

- делать X Y-у не с руки{{}}≈ it is uncomfortable (difficult) for Y to do X;

- Y cannot do X;

- [in limited contexts] Y is out of position <Y isn't positioned right> to do <for> X.

     ♦ Опусти пилу пониже, мне не с руки держать её так высоко. Lower the saw a little bit. It's uncomfortable for me to hold it up so high.

     ♦ Австриец бежал вдоль решётки, Григорию не с руки было рубить, он, перевесившись с седла, косо держа шашку, опустил её на висок австрийца (Шолохов 2). The Austrian was keeping close to the railing and Grigory was out of position for a slash. Leaning out of his saddle he held the sabre at an angle and let it fall on the Austrian's temple (2a).

2. [subj: infin or abstr, often это]

⇒ the given time or circumstances are not appropriate, convenient etc for s.o. to do sth.:

- делать X Y-у не с руки{{}}≈ it is inconvenient for Y to do X;

- it's not a good idea for Y to do X;

- [in refer, to an inopportune moment] X is coming at the wrong time <at a bad time>;

- vVs not the right <a good> time for Y to do X;

- [in limited contexts] Y cannot spare the time to do X.

     ♦ Так было с Францией - вдруг [Сергей] сказал, что исчезло всякое желание ехать: "Мне сейчас не с руки" (Трифонов 3). ...Не [Sergei] had decided against the trip to France. He suddenly announced that he had lost all desire to go: "I can't spare the time right now" (3a)

3. [subj: usu. abstr or infin]

⇒ sth. is not acceptable or agreeable to s.o.:

- X (делать X) Y-y нес руки{{}}≈ X (doing X) doesn't suit (appeal to) Y;

- it doesn't suit (appeal to) Y to do X.

     ♦ "Я не поеду", - решительно заявил Митька. "Ты что? - Христоня нахмурился... - Отбиваешься от своих? Не с руки?" (Шолохов 3). "I won't go," Mitka said decidedly. "What's the idea?" Khristonya frowned. ..."Are you breaking away from your own pals? Don't they suit you now?" (3a).

     ♦ "Меня и в город зовут, да не с руки мне там, и соблазна много" (Максимов 3). [context transl] "I've had offers in the town, but it isn't really what I'm looking for, and there would be too many temptations" (3a).