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  What it means

  Literally “to take as a good coin,” this idiom means to take something at face value or to believe that someone’s words are sincere without questioning them. It is the Polish equivalent of “taking something as gospel.” It can be used positively (to show trust) or slightly negatively (to suggest someone was too naive).

  Vocabulary

  • przyjąć — to accept / take
  • dobra — good
  • moneta — coin
  • uwierzyć — to believe

  Grammar note

  The preposition 'za' followed by 'dobrą monetę' (accusative) indicates the "role" or "status" something is being accepted as.

  Cultural context

  The imagery dates back to times when the value of coins depended on the metal they were made of; a "good coin" was genuine and not a counterfeit.

  Intermediate

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