Thread: What does this mean?

Шило на мыло менятъ.

to trade bad for worse

well, literally, it means to exchange an awl (pointed tool to make holes in wood and leather) for soap. Now, whether that is a good or bad thing, I do not know, it sounds very like an old Russian saying.

That means "to exchange something useless to another useless thing".

For example:

- Ты знаешь, мой старенький Форд все время ломается, тут мне предложили подержанный GM.
- Да ну, шило на мыло менять!

Meaning that GM will not improve his situation.

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Kalinka, that phrase is probably old, but still widely used in modern language.

this expression doesn't always have negative connotations, it can simply mean that in a trade of A for B both A and B are pretty much the same,

Originally Posted by igorfa100

this expression doesn't always have negative connotations, it can simply mean that in a trade of A for B both A and B are pretty much the same,

agree

OK That makes sense. Thanks!