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  What it means

  Literally “to lay one’s ears along oneself,” this idiom draws on the image of a dog flattening its ears when scolded or frightened. It means to become submissive, to back down, or to stay quiet and out of trouble — often after being reprimanded or facing someone more powerful. Poles use it when describing a person who has been told off and is now keeping a low profile, or when advising someone to be humble in a difficult situation. It can carry a slight note of mockery toward the person who has been put in their place.

  Vocabulary

  • kłaść — to lay, to put down (imperfective)
  • uszy — ears (accusative plural of 'ucho')
  • po sobie — along oneself, flat against oneself

  Grammar note

  The verb 'kłaść' is imperfective and governs the accusative 'uszy'. The reflexive-like phrase 'po sobie' is an adverbial indicating direction or position relative to the subject's body. The idiom is typically used in perfective contexts too ('położył uszy po sobie' — he laid his ears flat).

  Cultural context

  The image comes directly from canine body language, universally understood in Polish-speaking culture. It is colloquial and slightly humorous, often used to describe someone who was previously boastful but has been humbled. Closest English equivalent: 'to put one's tail between one's legs.'

  Intermediate

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