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  What it means

  Literally “to a through-shot” (as in a bullet passing all the way through something), this idiom is used to mean “straight through,” “all the way through,” or “thoroughly.” It comes from the image of a shot that pierces an object completely, leaving no part untouched. Poles use it to emphasize complete penetration or thoroughness — for example, “przemoczony na przestrzał” means “soaked through to the bone.” It can also describe being completely known or understood.

  Vocabulary

  • na — to / through (preposition)
  • przestrzał — a through-shot, a shot that passes all the way through
  • przestrzelić — to shoot through (the verb root)

  Grammar note

  'Przestrzał' is an accusative noun following the preposition 'na.' The phrase functions as an adverbial modifier, typically modifying verbs of penetration or saturation: 'przemokł na przestrzał' (got soaked through), 'znać kogoś na przestrzał' (to know someone inside out). The -ał ending marks it as a derived verbal noun from 'przestrzelić.'

  Cultural context

  This is a vivid, moderately informal expression more common in spoken Polish and literary prose than in formal writing. It has the feel of a traditional idiom and is used across generations. The military/hunting imagery (a shot passing through its target) is typical of many Polish idioms that draw on physical, concrete experience.

  Intermediate

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