• Listen

  What it means

  Literally “through and through” or “all the way across,” this phrase describes something that penetrates completely — from one side to the other. Figuratively, it means thoroughly, utterly, or to the core. Poles use it to emphasize that something pervades entirely, whether a physical chill or a personality trait. You might hear “przemoknąłem na wskroś” (I got soaked to the bone) or describe someone as “uczciwy na wskroś” (honest through and through).

  Vocabulary

  • na — on/through (preposition governing accusative)
  • wskroś — through, across (archaic/literary adverb)

  Grammar note

  The phrase uses the preposition 'na' with the archaic form 'wskroś,' functioning as an adverbial phrase. It typically follows an adjective or verb to intensify meaning, e.g. 'przemoknąć na wskroś' (to get soaked through). The word 'wskroś' is derived from 'skroś' meaning 'across,' now mostly found in fixed expressions.

  Cultural context

  The expression has a slightly literary or elevated register — it appears often in prose and journalism rather than casual speech. Its closest English equivalents are 'through and through' or 'to the core.' It can carry both positive connotations (honest through and through) and negative ones (corrupt to the core).

  Intermediate

Noticed a typo, a wrong translation, or anything that doesn't look right? We'd love to fix it — just let us know via the contact page. Thank you!