не говоря худого слова

• НЕ ГОВОРЯ ХУДОГО <ДУРНОГО> СЛОВА

[Verbal Adv; these forms only; adv; fixed WO]

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⇒ (to do sth.) not having said anything about it or given any advance notice:

- without (saying <uttering>) a word;

- without saying anything (a thing);

- without a word of warning.

     ♦ "Тот [немецкий автоматчик], какой впереди колонны шёл, поравнялся со мною и, не говоря худого слова, наотмашь хлыстнул меня ручкой автомата по голове" (Шолохов 1). "When the one [the German submachine-gunner] at the head of the column came alongside of me, he struck me full force on the head with the butt of his gun, without saying a word" (1b).

     ♦ Тут его [Рабиновича] двое молодцов, не говоря худого слова, хватают, руки за спину крутят и запихивают в серый автомобиль (Войнович 1). There he [Rabinovich] was grabbed by two hulking guys, who, without a word of warning, twisted his arms behind his back and shoved him into a gray car (1a).