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as pleased as Punch довольный как слон; счастлив как ребёнок M E A N I N G : to feel very happy He was as pleased as Punch when we all said how good his cooking was. ORIGIN: The phrase alludes to the appearance of Mr. Punch, a character known in England from the time of the Restoration. As his face is carved on wood, it never changes expression and is always beaming. as thick as two (short) planks глупый как пробка; тупой как валенок M E A N I N G : very stupid, unintelligent She’s a pretty girl but as thick as two short planks. ORIGIN: This expression, which can also be shortened to as thick as two planks, makes a pun of thick which means stupid as well as the more normal meaning (i.e. the opposite of thin). at the drop of a hat в любую минуту / в любой момент M E A N I N G : right away; at once; without delay; willing at any moment Most unemployed people aren’t lazy; they would accept work at the drop of a hat. ORIGIN: There are many ways to start a race or other sporting event: shoot a gun, wave a flag, and yell “Ready, set, go!” and so on. Years ago someone would drop a hat as the starting signal, and the contest would begin immediately. Today if anyone does anything (not just something athletic) eagerly and on the spur of the moment, we say it’s done at the drop of a hat. at the end of one’s rope / tether на (эмоциональном) пределе; дойти до ручки M E A N I N G : to be tired or annoyed, unable to deal with the situation any more 9