Dawać głowę pod topór
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What it means
“To put one’s head on the block.” To stake everything on something, to take a huge personal risk — to be so certain or committed that you’d risk your head for it.
Vocabulary
- dawać — to give (imperfective)
- głowa — head
- topór — axe
- pod topór — under the axe (accusative)
Grammar note
'Pod topór' uses the accusative of 'topór' after 'pod' (motion towards). 'Głowę' is accusative of 'głowa'.
Cultural context
A vivid historical image of execution by axe. Used to express absolute certainty or total commitment.
Intermediate
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