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  What it means

  Literally “to give slack or indulgence,” folgę dać (or dać folgę) means to let loose, give free rein, or stop holding back. It refers to releasing held-in emotion, effort, or desire and letting yourself or another person act without restraint. The closest English phrases are “to let yourself go,” “to give free rein,” and “to let it all out.”

  Vocabulary

  • folga — slack, indulgence, relief; accusative: *folgę*
  • dać — to give (perfective)

  Grammar note

  *Folgę* is the accusative singular of *folga*, a feminine noun. The perfective verb *dać* (from *dawać*) takes the accusative. The phrase often appears as *dać folgę + dative*: *dać folgę emocjom* (give free rein to emotions) or *dać folgę uczuciom* (let feelings loose). The dative names the emotion or feeling released in the sentence.

  Cultural context

  This slightly formal or literary expression comes from older Polish. It appears in literature, journalism, and more elevated speech. The noun *folga* (from German *Folge* or Latin *folium*) sounds old-fashioned to modern speakers, so the phrase has a restrained, elevated tone. More casual alternatives are *dać upust* (give vent to) and *puścić wodze fantazji* (let your imagination run free).

  Intermediate

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