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  What it means

  Literally “to wave [one’s] hand,” this idiom means to dismiss a problem, to give up on something, or to decide that something isn’t worth the effort anymore. It is the Polish equivalent of “to shrug something off.” It suggests a physical gesture of throwing one’s hand down in a sign of “whatever” or “never mind.”

  Vocabulary

  • machnąć — to wave / to swing (perfective)
  • ręka — hand / arm
  • zrezygnować — to give up / to resign

  Grammar note

  'Ręką' is in the instrumental case, which is used in Polish to describe the tool or body part used to perform an action. The phrase is usually followed by 'na coś' (at something).

  Cultural context

  This is a very common physical and verbal expression in Poland. It often conveys a sense of healthy resignation—letting go of small annoyances to maintain peace of mind.

  Beginner

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