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  What it means

  Literally “to rest on one’s laurels.” The imperfective counterpart of ‘spocząć na laurach’ — describes the ongoing state of coasting on past success without putting in further effort.

  Vocabulary

  • spoczywać — to rest / to lie (imperfective)
  • laury — laurels
  • na laurach — on one's laurels (locative)

  Grammar note

  The imperfective aspect conveys a habitual or prolonged state of complacency. 'Nie spoczywaj na laurach!' (Don't rest on your laurels!) is a common admonition.

  Cultural context

  See 'spocząć na laurach' for the cultural background. The imperfective form is more common in everyday warnings and advice.

  Intermediate

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