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  What it means

  This is a popular slang expression meaning to be scared, to feel anxious, or “to chicken out.” It describes a moment of cowardice or hesitation before doing something challenging or frightening. You might use it when a friend is too afraid to go on a rollercoaster or talk to someone they like.

  Vocabulary

  • cykor — fear / cowardice (slang)
  • bać się — to be afraid
  • tchórz — coward

  Grammar note

  'Cykora' is the masculine accusative form of 'cykor.' In colloquial Polish, masculine inanimate objects often take the -a ending (like animate nouns) in the accusative case, making it 'mieć cykora' rather than 'mieć cykor.'

  Cultural context

  While it is slang, it isn't vulgar; it's frequently used by teenagers and young adults. It is comparable to the English "to have cold feet" or "to be a chicken."

  Intermediate

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