• Listen

  What it means

  “To bet one’s hand on it.” To be absolutely certain about something — so sure you’d stake your hand on it. Used to express total conviction.

  Vocabulary

  • dać sobie — to let oneself
  • ręka — hand, arm
  • uciąć — to cut off

  Grammar note

  'Rękę' is accusative of 'ręka'. The construction 'dać sobie X uciąć' means to let X be cut off — a hypothetical sacrifice to prove certainty.

  Cultural context

  A vivid hyperbole. The English equivalent is 'I'd stake my life on it' or 'I'd bet my right hand.'

  Intermediate

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