5

I was trying to explain to someone the English phrase:

He couldn't hold his alcohol (also liquor)

This means that one becomes drunk very easily. Are there any Russian idioms/expressions that are roughly equivalent?

2
  • 2
    The russian stereotype would have people believe that such a phrase is unnecessary...
    – Shadow
    Dec 4, 2017 at 23:52
  • 1
    To me "not being able to hold one's liquor" doesn't say anything about drunkenness, only about disposition towards vomiting. Dec 5, 2017 at 8:34

3 Answers 3

10

Его/её быстро "развозит". - He becomes drunk very fast. (Here is allegory to dirt road under rain).

Ему/ей и капли хватит напиться. - One drop of alcohol, and he/she will be drunk.

Слабенький попался. (Слабенькая попалась) - Weak constitution human that easy affected to alcohol.

Ему и пробочку понюхать хватит. - Smell a cork - and he's done!

8

There's a не умеет пить but it this is more with a stress on the fact that one behaves badly / inappropriately even when supposedly he/she hadn't drunk that much. Like in the following phrase (found in Internet):

Муж не умеет пить. То есть если выпьет больше одного бокала, скажем, вина или пива (водку не пьет), становится полным идиотом, дурачком и мудаком.

A more neutral way would be to just say быстро пьянеет (or, more casual, быстро напивается) - getting drunk fast.

3

От одного запаха [спиртного] пьянеет.

Just throwing it there.

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.