colours to the mast


colours to the mast
Если вы nail your colours to the mast (показываете свои цвета на поднятом флаге), то это значит, что вы открыто и ясно, не опасаясь последствий, высказываете своё мнение. Сначала эти цвета имели флаг, знамя или штандарт, которые определяли национальную принадлежность боевого корабля. Если флаг был поднят на мачте корабля, это означало, что капитан не собирался сдаваться врагу и был готов сражаться до конца.

The government promised to reduce taxation. Having nailed its colours to the mast, it is under an obligation to do something. — Правительство пообещало уменьшить налоги. Объявив это открыто и определённо, оно обязано выполнить обещание.


English-Russian dictionary of expressions. 2014.

Смотреть что такое "colours to the mast" в других словарях:

  • nail your colours to the mast — nail (your) colours to the mast to publicly state your opinions about a subject. Nobody knows which way he s going to vote because he has so far refused to nail his colours to the mast …   New idioms dictionary

  • nail colours to the mast — nail (your) colours to the mast to publicly state your opinions about a subject. Nobody knows which way he s going to vote because he has so far refused to nail his colours to the mast …   New idioms dictionary

  • nail one's colours to the mast — To commit oneself to some party or plan of action • • • Main Entry: ↑colour nail one s colours to the mast see under ↑colour • • • Main Entry: ↑nail …   Useful english dictionary

  • nail your colours to the mast — british phrase to say clearly and publicly who you support or what you think about something Thesaurus: to support an idea, plan or personsynonym Main entry: nail * * * nail your colours to the ˈmast idiom (especially BrE …   Useful english dictionary

  • nail your colours to the mast — Meaning Show your intention to hold out until the end. Origin In nautical battles colours (flags) were lowered as a mark of submission. Nailing your colours to the mast meant you weren t intending to submit …   Meaning and origin of phrases

  • nail (or pin) one's colours to the mast — declare openly and firmly what one believes. → mast …   English new terms dictionary

  • nail one's colours to the mast — ► nail one s colours to the mast declare openly and firmly what one believes. Main Entry: ↑mast …   English terms dictionary

  • nail one's colours to the mast — verb To clearly show ones support for a side or opinion in a dispute …   Wiktionary

  • nail your colours to the mast — British to say clearly and publicly who you support or what you think about something …   English dictionary

  • mast — Ⅰ. mast [1] ► NOUN 1) a tall upright post or spar on a boat, generally carrying a sail or sails. 2) any tall upright post, especially a flagpole or a television or radio transmitter. ● before the mast Cf. ↑before the mast ● …   English terms dictionary

  • mast — [[t]mɑ͟ːst, mæ̱st[/t]] masts 1) N COUNT The masts of a boat are the tall upright poles that support its sails. 2) N COUNT A radio mast is a tall upright structure that is used to transmit radio or television signals. 3) to nail your colours to… …   English dictionary