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  What it means

  Literally “manna from heaven,” this idiom refers to an unexpected, effortless, and very welcome benefit or stroke of luck. It’s used when something good happens without any work on your part. If you’re struggling financially and suddenly receive an unexpected tax refund, that’s “manna z nieba.”

  Vocabulary

  • manna — manna
  • niebo — heaven / sky
  • prezent — gift
  • niespodzianka — surprise

  Grammar note

  'Z nieba' is the genitive form of 'niebo' after the preposition 'z' (from).

  Cultural context

  Of biblical origin (the food provided to the Israelites), it is a very common idiom in Poland, which has deep Christian cultural roots. It’s often used in the context of "waiting for manna from heaven" (expecting success without effort).

  Beginner

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