To fart silently, to let off a silent one; to chicken out, to be scared. A crude, vulgar verb that literally means to pass gas quietly (as opposed tothe louder counterpart, пердеть). In everyday slang, however, it is much more frequently used metaphorically to mean showing cowardice, backing down from a challenge, or being too afraid to act (similar to “wimping out” or “shitting oneself”). It can also mean to talk nonsense or lie under pressure.
Понял, что главное, кудрявый? — обратился он к Сергею и сам ответил: — Главное не бздеть, в кабине и так душно.
You got what’s most important, curly-head? he asked Sergey and answered himself: — The main thing is not to fart, it’s already stuffy as it is in the cabin.
(Александр Кабаков, Сочинитель)
