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  What it means

  Literally “to get hit in the pocket.” Figuratively, it means to suffer a financial loss or to be hurt financially. Poles use this phrase when unexpected costs, fines, taxes, or price rises take a noticeable bite out of someone’s budget. It conveys a sense of being punched where it hurts most — the wallet.

  Vocabulary

  • dostawać — to get / to receive (imperfective)
  • po — in / on (here: indicating the body part hit)
  • kieszeń — pocket (kieseni = locative after 'po')

  Grammar note

  The preposition 'po' followed by the locative case is a common construction for indicating where someone receives a blow, e.g. 'dostać po twarzy' (to get hit in the face). The imperfective 'dostawać' suggests a repeated or ongoing financial drain.

  Cultural context

  Used in everyday spoken Polish and in media. The phrase is neutral to slightly colloquial and fits naturally in conversations about rising prices, taxes, or unexpected bills. A close English equivalent is 'to take a hit to the wallet' or 'to feel it in the pocket.'

  Beginner

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