Być świętszym od papieża
Listen
What it means
Literally “to be holier than the Pope.” Describes someone who is excessively pious, self-righteous, or moralistic — more Catholic than the Pope himself.
Vocabulary
- świętszy — holier (comparative of 'święty')
- papież — Pope
Grammar note
'Od papieża' uses the genitive after 'od' in a comparative construction — 'holier than the Pope'.
Cultural context
A pointed expression in a country with deep Catholic roots. Used to mock excessive piety or moral posturing.
Intermediate
Noticed a typo, a wrong translation, or anything that doesn't look right? We'd love to fix it — just let us know via the contact page. Thank you!
More Polish idioms
- Literally "one's whole life flew past before the eyes," this phrase describes the vivid, involuntary …
- Literally "for an example," na przykład is the standard Polish phrase for "for example" or "for …
- Literally "in the last/recent times," ostatnimi czasy is a common temporal phrase meaning "lately," …
- Literally "in the manner of Judas," this adverb describes acting in a treacherous, backstabbing way …