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  What it means

  Literally “not to pour behind the collar,” this idiom describes someone who drinks alcohol enthusiastically and willingly — in short, someone who likes a drink and never refuses one. The image comes from the old practice of emptying a glass fully rather than spilling it over the collar. It is used to describe a person with a fondness for alcohol, without being overtly judgmental.

  Vocabulary

  • wylewać — to pour out / to spill (imperfective)
  • za — behind / over (preposition + accusative)
  • kołnierz — collar (of a shirt or coat)

  Grammar note

  The idiom is most commonly used in the third person: 'on nie wylewa za kołnierz' (he doesn't pour it behind his collar — i.e., he drinks it all). The verb 'wylewać' is imperfective, emphasizing the habitual nature of the behavior. The negation 'nie' is essential — it is the negative construction that creates the idiomatic meaning.

  Cultural context

  This is an informal, somewhat euphemistic way to describe a person who drinks a lot or never turns down alcohol. It is used with a mildly amused or wry tone rather than harsh judgment. The idiom is broadly understood across Poland and is equivalent to English expressions like 'he doesn't say no to a drink' or 'she enjoys a tipple.' It is common in stories, gossip, and casual conversation.

  Intermediate

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