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  What it means

  Literally “to fall on four paws.” Just as a cat instinctively twists its body to land safely on its feet, this idiom describes a person who consistently manages to survive difficult situations, scandals, or financial troubles without getting hurt. It implies a certain degree of luck or remarkable resourcefulness.

  Vocabulary

  • spadać — to fall / descend
  • łapa — paw
  • kot — cat

  Grammar note

  'Łapy' is the accusative plural of 'łapa'. In Polish, the preposition 'na' followed by the accusative case often indicates a position or surface onto which an object is landing or moving.

  Cultural context

  This is a very common feline-inspired metaphor in Poland. It’s often used to describe that one friend or colleague who always seems to get away with things.

  Beginner

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