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  What it means

  Literally “to take no prisoners,” this idiom describes a person who is ruthless, uncompromising, or incredibly determined to win. It is used in sports, business, or arguments when someone shows no mercy to their opponents. Poles use it to describe an “all or nothing” attitude where the goal is complete victory.

  Vocabulary

  • brać — to take (imperfective)
  • jeniec — prisoner of war
  • bezlitosny — ruthless

  Grammar note

  'Jeńców' is the genitive plural of 'jeniec'. In Polish, when a verb is negated, the direct object usually switches from the accusative to the genitive case.

  Cultural context

  While it has military origins, it’s now a common metaphor for high-intensity competition or a "take no prisoners" work ethic.

  Intermediate

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