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  What it means

  Literally “to mix with mud,” this idiom means to humiliate someone or criticize them in an extremely harsh, insulting manner. It describes an attempt to completely destroy someone’s reputation or dignity. It is usually used when the criticism feels disproportionate or particularly nasty.

  Vocabulary

  • mieszać — to mix / to stir
  • błoto — mud
  • krytyka — criticism
  • obrażać — to offend / to insult

  Grammar note

  The phrase uses the preposition 'z' (with) followed by 'błotem,' which is the instrumental case of the neuter noun 'błoto.'

  Cultural context

  This is the Polish equivalent of "to drag someone's name through the dirt." It carries a heavy emotional weight and is often used in the context of media scandals or toxic workplace environments.

  Intermediate

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