В БОЛЬШИХ ЧИНАХ
• В (БОЛЬШИХ <КРУПНЫХ и т. п.>) ЧИНАХ obs
[PrepP; these forms only; subj-compl with быть (subj: human)]
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⇒ one has a high civilian or military position:
- X в (больших) чинах••≈ X holds a high rank;
- X is of high rank;
- X is a man of high position;
- X is a high-ranking (officer <official etc>).
♦ [Отрадина:] Так [он] хорошей фамилии, в больших чинах? (Островский 3). [О.:] Does he come from an influential family? Is he a man of high position? (За).
♦ [Болоснин:] Отец мой... в больших чинах, генерал (Солженицын 9). [В.:] My father is ..a high-ranking officer - a General (9а).