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  What it means

  Literally “to toy with fire.” This idiom is identical to the English version. It means to take unnecessary, dangerous risks or to behave in a way that is likely to cause major trouble or disaster.

  Vocabulary

  • igrać — to toy with / to play (formal/poetic)
  • ogień — fire
  • niebezpieczeństwo — danger

  Grammar note

  The verb 'igrać' (imperfective) is followed by 'z' + the instrumental case ('ogniem').

  Cultural context

  Unlike the standard 'bawić się' (to play), 'igrać' suggests a more reckless or disrespectful type of playing, often with serious things like fate, death, or fire.

  Beginner

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