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  What it means

  Literally “the measure has overflowed,” this idiom is the Polish equivalent of “that’s the last straw” or “the cup is full.” It signifies that someone’s patience has finally run out after a series of annoying or unacceptable events. It is a powerful way to announce that consequences or action will now follow.

  Vocabulary

  • miarka — measure / measuring cup
  • przebrać się — to overflow / to go over the limit (in this context)
  • cierpliwość — patience
  • koniec — end

  Grammar note

  The verb 'przebrała się' is the past tense feminine reflexive form. The reflexive particle 'się' is essential here; without it, the verb 'przebrać' would mean "to change clothes."

  Cultural context

  This is a very common idiom used when someone is genuinely angry or fed up. It carries a sense of finality—once the 'miarka' has overflowed, there is usually no going back to the previous state of affairs.

  Intermediate

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