Rozchodzić się po kościach
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What it means
Literally “to disperse through the bones.” This idiom describes a situation, usually a scandal, conflict, or minor illness, that slowly fades or resolves without serious consequences. The image is of tension being absorbed into the body, the bones, and then disappearing.
Vocabulary
- rozchodzić się — to disperse / separate
- kości — bones
- sprawa — matter / affair
Grammar note
The preposition 'po' takes the locative plural 'kościach'. The reflexive verb 'rozchodzić się' suggests a process that happens by itself.
Cultural context
Poles use this when they are relieved that a potentially serious problem did not become a disaster. It is often used in business or politics for scandals that were later forgotten.
Intermediate
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