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  What it means

  Literally “gas to the board (floor),” this idiom means to accelerate fully, pressing the gas pedal all the way down. Figuratively, it means to go full speed, give everything you have, or act without restraint. Poles use it for driving, work effort, or any situation needing maximum speed or effort in daily speech: “Dał gaz do dechy i wyprzedził wszystkich.” It is energetic, colloquial, and vivid.

  Vocabulary

  • gaz — gas; accelerator pedal (colloquial)
  • decha — plank, board; colloquially: floor, footwell (genitive: dechy)
  • do — to, up to (preposition governing genitive)

  Grammar note

  'Do dechy' uses the preposition 'do' with the genitive case of 'deska/decha' (plank/board). The preposition 'do' here expresses direction/limit — 'right down to the board.' The phrase is used as an adverbial complement after 'dać gaz' (give gas) or simply 'gaz do dechy' as an exclamation.

  Cultural context

  The phrase comes from car culture and is widely understood by all generations. It is fully colloquial, so it would not fit a formal report, but it is natural in conversation, sports commentary, and headlines. It means much the same as English 'pedal to the metal' or 'full throttle.'

  Beginner

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