⁌ ULY ⁍added a comment a year ago
Just know that this isn’t standard. Normally we say “smart as a whip“. 
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Mariia M.asked for translation a year ago
How to translate? (en-ru)
as smart as paint
Author’s comment
He's as smart as paint, that Foxy. He'll get himself out of that place, and away from the mess he's growing up in. ("The Copper Beech" by Maeve Binchy)
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Discussion (8)
Mariia M.added a comment a year ago
I think, it might be regional. The book is about life in a small town in Ireland during the 40s-60s.
⁌ ULY ⁍added a comment a year ago
Ah, there you have it.
Валерий ㅤadded a comment a year ago
Семи пядей во лбу/ума палата
reserveradded a comment a year ago
like in 'as sharp as a steel trap'
reserveradded a comment a year ago
Еще говорят 'Ума палата, а ключ к ней потерян' ))
Mariia M.added a comment a year ago
reserver, Валерий Данилин, "ума палата..." - это о человеке недалёком, но думающем, что он очень умный.
В моём примере, молодой человек (Foxy) действительно смышлёный.
reserveradded a comment a year ago
Mariia M. Да, но это в случае иронии или наличия продолжения. А в оригинале - похвала.