qara kübür açarğa
/qara kybyr atʃarʁa/
Literal translation
to open the black chest
Intended meaning
To fall back on what one has been keeping for the worst day and spend one's very last reserves, having no other way out.
- Ahça bolsa, şıyıh tabılır. Biyağı sen qara kübürçügüŋü bir açarıŋ tüyülmüdü? Bir ıyıqnı içine sen [Qıyamıt] ömürüŋde körmegen şıyıhnı keltirirme, – dedi Muhammat-amin."If there is money, a holy man will be found. Won't you open that little black chest of yours once more? Within a week I will bring you [Kyyamyt] a holy man such as you have never seen in your life," said Muhammat-Amin.
Sources
Show sources
- Къарачай-малкъар тилни фразеология ангылатма сёзлюгю (2017), p. 299