Bać się jak diabeł święconej wody
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What it means
Literally “to fear something like the devil fears holy water.” Means to be terrified of something and avoid it at all costs.
Vocabulary
- bać się — to be afraid / to fear
- diabeł — devil
- święcona woda — holy water
Grammar note
'Jak' introduces the comparison. 'Święconej wody' is the genitive of 'święcona woda' — 'bać się' takes the genitive of what is feared.
Cultural context
Poland's Catholic heritage makes this image immediately vivid. The phrase is used for any strong, almost irrational avoidance — not just religious contexts.
Beginner
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