Have you hear the Russian idiom “сидеть на шее”? Literally it means “to sit on someone’s neck,” but it actually describes a person who depends on someone else financially or takes advantage of their support.
Russians often use this expression when talking about adult children living off parents, unemployed relatives, or unequal relationships. For example, “Он сидит на шее у родителей” means “He lives off his parents.”
Like many Russian idioms, this phrase is vivid, emotional, and commonly used in everyday conversations. Learning expressions like “сидеть на шее” helps students understand authentic Russian speech beyond textbook dialogues. In my Russian classes, we explore real idioms, culture, and conversational language that make Russian more natural and expressive.
Have you ever heard a similar expression in English or another language? Share your favourite idioms in the comments!