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  What it means

  Literally “to catch wind in the sails,” this idiom means to gain momentum, energy, or enthusiasm, or to make use of a good situation. A sailboat needs wind to move forward, and a person or project catches wind in its sails after getting support, inspiration, or a lucky break. It is positive and often describes a career, creative project, or sports team that suddenly starts doing very well after a slow period.

  Vocabulary

  • łapać — to catch (imperfective)
  • wiatr — wind (accusative: wiatr)
  • żagle — sails (accusative plural of żagiel)
  • żagiel — sail

  Grammar note

  The verb łapać is imperfective, so it suggests an ongoing or repeated gain in momentum, not one event. Wiatr is accusative as the direct object; for this masculine inanimate noun it looks like nominative. Żagle is the accusative plural of żagiel, a masculine noun with the plural ending -e.

  Cultural context

  This neutral expression has a slightly literary or journalistic feel. It is common in sports reports, business writing, and motivational talk. The sea image suits Poland's connection with the Baltic. The phrase has a positive, forward-looking tone in ordinary speech.

  Intermediate

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