When the Russian-English Dictionary of Idioms first came out in 1995, it quickly drew the attention of translators and other potential users. They immediately recognized a number of features that distinguished it from traditional bilingual dictionaries. The Dictionary was the first of its kind in several respects. It included more idioms and meanings than any bilingual dictionary at the time, along with numerous synonyms and variants of idioms. It was the first bilingual dictionary to provide definitions for each entry and meaning, as well as extended usage notes, where needed, in an attempt to create semantic microworlds that would contribute to a better understanding of every idiom presented. By creating a semantic habitat for each idiom, the dictionary offered assistance without curtailing the translator's ingenuity and creativity. Each idiom was accompanied by essential grammar information and a wide range of style and usage labels—temporal, stylistic, and sociolinguistic—on the Russian side. This information enabled users to develop a sense of how an idiom is used in both typical and atypical contexts, and to pair the Russian idiom with the most suitable equivalent for each context.
