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гулять как хочет

English translation: (have a tendency to) go off the leash/go on the loose; have a mind of its own; do as it pleases

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Russian term or phrase:гулять как хочет
English translation:(have a tendency to) go off the leash/go on the loose; have a mind of its own; do as it pleases
Entered by: Clive Wilshin

22:57 Dec 8, 2013
Russian to English translations [PRO]
Other / Idiomatic expression
Russian term or phrase: гулять как хочет
Следственный комитет временами действует самостоятельно и иногда бежит впереди паровоза. Он превратился в мощный институт, требующий усиленного контроля. Это инструмент, который может гулять как хочет, – все время к нему возникают вопросы.

My head is spinning after translating 12,000 words this weekend. I can only think of "besport itself as it thinks fit", which sounds a bit archaic. On the other hand, "do as it likes" misses the wonderful sense of leisure and abandonment in the Russian idiom. That's probably what I'll use, though, if no one comes up with anything better in the next couple of hours.
Clive Wilshin
Local time: 16:58
on the loose / off the leash
Explanation:
Per my note in the Discussion area.
Selected response from:

Mikhail Kropotov
Germany
Local time: 17:58
Grading comment
Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. All are very good and would fit other contexts very well, but I think Mikhail's is the best in mine ("has a tendency to go off the leash" complements and extends бежит впереди паровоза). Jack can consider himself very unlucky; I've put his suggestion into the glossary as well (I think it works better with a literal instrument, e.g. a hammer, or some other inanimate object than with the SKR). гулять is a very interesting word!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +3has a mind of its own
Jack Doughty
3 +2wander footloose and free/does as it pleases/goes wherever fancy (feet) may take it
Frank Szmulowicz, Ph. D.
4can go every which way
Pavel Andrianov
3to wander at will
David Knowles
3on the loose / off the leash
Mikhail Kropotov
3got out of control
Andrew Vdovin
3operate on its own
Dmitry Murzakov


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


11 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
to wander at will


Explanation:
or "to play around at will"

David Knowles
Local time: 16:58
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 91
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26 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
has a mind of its own


Explanation:
Some way from the Russian, but I think this is what it means.

Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 16:58
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 417
Notes to answerer
Asker: This is a brilliant answer, but I decided (perhaps wrongly) that it would go with a literal instrument, or some other inanimate object, better than with the Investigation Committee. But perhaps "it has a tendency to be self-willed" or even "volatile" might have worked.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  LilianNekipelov: I like it.
23 mins
  -> Thank you.
agree  cyhul
2 hrs
  -> Thank you.
agree  David Knowles: Yes - the only answer (including mine) that fits an institution!
7 hrs
  -> Thank you.
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29 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
wander footloose and free/does as it pleases/goes wherever fancy (feet) may take it


Explanation:
I am done. I hope on of these fits..

Frank Szmulowicz, Ph. D.
United States
Local time: 11:58
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in PolishPolish
PRO pts in category: 213

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  LilianNekipelov: I like 'it can do whatver it pleases"
22 mins
  -> Thank you, Lilian. I trust your instincts on this one.
agree  James McVay: I like "can do as it pleases" myself.
15 hrs
  -> Thanks, James. I see where the sentiment is going.
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50 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
on the loose / off the leash


Explanation:
Per my note in the Discussion area.

Mikhail Kropotov
Germany
Local time: 17:58
Works in field
Native speaker of: Russian
PRO pts in category: 186
Grading comment
Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. All are very good and would fit other contexts very well, but I think Mikhail's is the best in mine ("has a tendency to go off the leash" complements and extends бежит впереди паровоза). Jack can consider himself very unlucky; I've put his suggestion into the glossary as well (I think it works better with a literal instrument, e.g. a hammer, or some other inanimate object than with the SKR). гулять is a very interesting word!
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7 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
got out of control


Explanation:
Possible?

Andrew Vdovin
Local time: 22:58
Native speaker of: Native in RussianRussian
PRO pts in category: 54
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

8 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
can go every which way


Explanation:
*

Pavel Andrianov
Native speaker of: Native in RussianRussian
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9 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
operate on its own


Explanation:
Не такой выразительный вариант, как у Jack Doughty, но все же. Т.е. следственный комитет осуществляет свою деятельность по своему усмотрению.

Пример:

Analysis: CIA now operates on its own inside Pakistan
http://intelnews.org/2009/04/16/02-89/


Dmitry Murzakov
Russian Federation
Local time: 19:58
Native speaker of: Russian
PRO pts in category: 8
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