Literally "to fall like flies." Used when many people are getting sick, dying, or failing at the same time. "To die/drop like flies."

Literally "burn rubber." In slang, it means "get lost," "go away," or "beat it."

Literally "burn six." Used to express that you don't care about something or have decided to let it go. "Never mind," "let it be," "who cares."

Literally "to lick one's fingers." Used to describe food that is absolutely delicious. "Finger-licking good."

Literally "to be burning with shame." Means to feel intense embarrassment or humiliation. "To die of embarrassment."

Literally "a little finger and a little head are a school excuse." A rhyming proverb used to mock children (or adults) who make up petty physical ailments to …

Literally "a candle for God and a candle stub for the devil." Means to try and stay on good terms with two opposing sides, or to be hypocritically cautious. "To …

Literally "the master's eye fattens the horse." Means that things are better managed and more successful when the owner/boss is personally supervising them.

Literally "inseparable little parrots" (lovebirds). Refers to two people who are always together and seem inseparable, often a couple or best friends.

Literally "receipt of horror." A modern term for a receipt showing unexpectedly high, inflated prices, especially at tourist resorts or during high inflation.

Literally "pressure on the glass." Describes a desperate desire to be famous, to appear on television, or to be in the media spotlight.

Literally "park of the stiff ones." A dark, colloquial slang term for a cemetery.

Literally "to fit like a fist to a nose." Used to describe two things that do not match at all or a situation that is completely inappropriate. "To fit like a …

Literally "to fit like a fist to a nose." Used ironically to mean that two things do not fit together at all. "To match like chalk and cheese."

Literally "to look through one's fingers." Means to deliberately ignore someone's faults or to turn a blind eye to a minor wrongdoing.

Literally "with full steam." Means to do something with maximum energy, speed, or intensity. "In full swing," "at full throttle."

Literally "the navel of the world." Used pejoratively to describe someone who thinks they are the center of the universe or the most important person.

Literally "Pi times eye." A humorous way to say "approximately," "roughly," or "more or less." Often used when estimating something without precision.

Literally "the fifth wheel on a wagon." Describes someone who is unnecessary, redundant, or feels out of place in a group. "A third wheel."

Literally "the fifth through the tenth." Means to do something haphazardly, to understand only bits and pieces of a story, or to tell something in a …

Literally "to roast two roasts on one fire." The Polish equivalent of "to kill two birds with one stone."

Literally "roasted pigeons don't fly into your mouth by themselves." Means that you have to work for things; they won't just fall into your lap.

Literally "screwing a kitten with a hammer." Used to describe someone talking utter nonsense or performing a task in a ridiculous, over-complicated, or …

Literally "to fart into a stool." Means to sit around doing nothing, to waste time at a desk job, or to be idle.

Literally "the first cats (thrown) over the fences." Means the first attempt is often a failure or the hardest, but once it's done, the rest will be easier. …

Literally "the gardener's dog." Describes someone who doesn't want/use something themselves but won't let anyone else have it either. "A dog in the manger."

Literally "a dog with a lame leg." Usually used in the negative to mean "nobody at all" or "not a single soul."

Literally "Achilles' heel." Refers to a person's or system's weak point despite overall strength.

Literally "drunk as a shoemaker." Means to be extremely drunk — "dead drunk," "drunk as a skunk."

Literally "let's drink, because the vodka is getting cold." A humorous, ironic invitation to drink. Since vodka is served cold, it can't actually "cool down" in …

Literally "to guard one's own nose." Means to mind your own business — to stay out of other people's affairs.

Literally "backs." In a colloquial sense, it means having "backing" or influential connections that help one get ahead. "To have friends in high places."

Literally "to babble like Piekarski under torture." Means to talk utter nonsense or say things that don't make sense.

Literally "to spit in one's own beard." Means to deeply regret something or to be annoyed with oneself for a missed opportunity — "to kick oneself."

"More or less" or "approximately." Used exactly like the mathematical term to indicate an estimate.

Literally "to cry over spilled milk." Means to worry about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.

Literally "to burn with shame." Means to be extremely embarrassed — "to go bright red," "to be consumed by shame."

Literally "after the bull." Used to describe something very large, impressive, or intense. Often used as an adjective or adverb meaning "great," "huge," or …

Literally "after the tea." Means that something is finished, over, or it's too late to change the outcome. "It's all over," "the ship has sailed."

Literally "by the distaff." Refers to the female line of descent in a family.

Literally "over the little heads." Means to do something carelessly, superficially, or in a hurry without paying attention to detail. "To do a rush job."

Literally "by the sword." Refers to the male line of descent in a family.

Literally "over my corpse." Used to express strong opposition to something. "Over my dead body."

Literally "following the thread to the ball (of yarn)." Means to find the solution or the truth by following a series of small clues. "To get to the bottom of …

Literally "after simply." One of the most common Polish filler/emphasis phrases meaning "simply," "just," or "plainly."

Literally "after the birds." Means it's too late, the opportunity is gone. "That ship has sailed," "it's over and done with."

Literally "in the Turkish way." Specifically refers to sitting cross-legged on the floor. "Sitting Indian style" or "cross-legged."

Literally "through acquaintance." Means to get something done, find a job, or buy something through personal connections or "pulling strings."

Literally "pious wishes." Refers to something that is unlikely to happen, based on hope rather than reality. "Wishful thinking."

Literally "to kiss the door handle." Means to show up at someone's house or an office only to find that they aren't home or it's closed. "To find the door …

Literally "to pull the strings." Means to be the person in control behind the scenes, like a puppeteer. "To pull the strings."

Literally "to pull by the tongue." Means to try to get someone to talk or reveal a secret they are holding back. "To draw someone out," "to pick someone's …

Literally "slipper post." Refers to the unofficial spreading of news or gossip through word of mouth. "The grapevine."

Literally "to feel the blues." Means to finally understand something, to get the hang of a situation, or to get into the right vibe/rhythm.

Literally "to feel mint (for someone)." Means to feel a sudden attraction or "spark" for someone. "To have a crush," "to feel a chemistry."

Literally "to beat the little drum." Means to stir up interest, to provoke a reaction, or to egg someone on to keep talking or acting in a certain way.

Literally "to approach like a dog to a hedgehog." Means to approach a task or person with great caution, hesitation, or suspicion.

Literally "to clip (someone's) wings." Means to discourage someone or take away their enthusiasm/momentum.

Literally "to raise the crossbar." Means to increase expectations or the level of difficulty. "To raise the bar."

Literally "weather under a dog." Means terrible, miserable weather. "It's raining cats and dogs" (contextually), "foul weather."

Literally "to chase the cat." Means to give someone a hard time, to scold them severely, or to drive someone away aggressively. "To give someone a licking," "to …

Literally "to go along the boards (rink wall)." Means to take a risk, to go to extremes, or to behave in a provocative/outrageous way. "To push the envelope," …

Literally "to show (someone) where the pepper grows." Means to chase someone away or to tell them to get lost. "To send someone packing."

Literally "a humble calf sucks two mothers." A proverb meaning that polite, submissive, or agreeable people often get more benefits than aggressive ones.

Literally "Pole and Hungarian — two nephews/brothers." Part of a historical rhyme celebrating the long-standing friendship between the two nations.

Literally "to go into saliva." A colloquial and slightly vulgar way to say "to make out" or "to kiss passionately."

Literally "to connect the dots." Means to understand the relationship between different pieces of information.

Literally "to swallow the bacterium." Means to get hooked on a new hobby, interest, or passion. "To get the bug."

Literally "to lay a stick (on something)." A common slang expression meaning to give up on something, to stop caring, or to neglect a duty. "To not give a …

Literally "to put (someone) on their shoulder blades." Means to defeat someone completely or to overwhelm them. "To bring someone to their knees."

Literally "to lie down like Rejtan." Means to protest desperately against something, often by physically blocking the way or being dramatic. "To put up a …

Literally "below the belt." Refers to an unfair or cruel remark or action. "A low blow."

Literally "to attack the sun with a hoe." To attempt something impossible or way beyond one's capabilities. "To bite off more than one can chew."

Literally "to jump at the sun with a hoe." Means to take on a task with completely insufficient means or resources — to bite off more than you can chew.

Literally "to put the matter on the edge of a knife." To bring a situation to a head or to force a final, decisive outcome. "To push matters to the limit."

Literally "to sprinkle one's head with ashes." To express deep regret or publicly admit one's fault. "To do penance," "to humble oneself."

"Hold my beer." Used when someone is about to do something stupid, reckless, or impressively difficult.

Literally "to pop up like mushrooms after rain." Used to describe things appearing suddenly and in large numbers.

Literally "to have eaten all the brains/intelligences." To be a know-it-all or to act as if one is much smarter than everyone else.

Literally "to know from the lining (of a garment)." To know something inside out or in great detail.

Literally "to go like from a petal/flake." To go very smoothly and without any problems. "To go like clockwork," "to be a breeze."

To flatly deny something despite evidence, or to stubbornly persist in a lie. "To stick to one's guns (in denial)."

Literally "to work in the black." To work illegally or without a formal contract/taxes. "Under the table."

Literally "straight from the bridge." To speak directly and frankly without beating around the bush. "To be blunt," "point-blank."

Literally "the average bread-eater." Refers to an ordinary person or the "man on the street." "The average Joe."

Literally "to over-bend the stick/baton." To go too far, to overstep a boundary, or to exaggerate. "To overstep the mark."

Literally "to pour from empty into void." To engage in pointless, unproductive activity or talk. "To beat a dead horse."

Literally "through the stomach to the heart." Means that the way to win someone's affection is through good food.

Literally "the pot called the kettle black" (Polish version: "the cauldron reproached the pot"). Used when someone criticizes another for a fault they …

Literally "to take as a good coin." To take something at face value or to believe something is true/sincere. "To take something as gospel."

Literally "to squint an eye." Means to deliberately ignore someone's mistake or a minor rule violation. "To turn a blind eye."

Literally "by a dog's smell/burning scent." Means to achieve something by sheer luck or by a narrow margin, often undeservedly. "By the skin of one's teeth / by …

Literally "to let the paint go/bleed." Means to spill a secret, to blab, or to confess under pressure. "To spill the beans / to crack."