ездить в Тулу со своим самоваром

Literally, to go to Tula with your own samovar; compare bring owls to Athens and carry coals to Newcastle. The phrase derives from the fact that Tula is well known for its samovars. The phrase was coined by Chekhov.

• IPA^(key): [ˈjezʲdʲɪtʲ ˈf‿tulʊ sə‿svɐˈim səmɐˈvarəm]

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е́здить в Ту́лу со свои́м самова́ром • (jézditʹ v Túlu so svoím samovárom) impf

1. to do something that is clearly not needed
   • (Can we date this quote?) (Please provide the book title or journal name)‎:

     И колле́ги удивлённо пожима́ют плеча́ми: В Ту́лу со свои́м самова́ром?

     I kollégi udivljónno požimájut plečámi: V Túlu so svoím samovárom?

     And the colleagues shrug their shoulders: to Tula with the samovar?

• в Ту́лу со свои́м самова́ром (v Túlu so svoím samovárom)