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  What it means

  Literally “to stand on one’s eyelashes.” This vivid idiom means to go to impossible lengths or to do everything humanly possible to achieve a goal or satisfy someone. It suggests a level of effort that defies the laws of physics, emphasizing total commitment and sacrifice.

  Vocabulary

  • stanąć — to stand / stop
  • rzęsy — eyelashes
  • wysiłek — effort

  Grammar note

  The phrase 'na rzęsach' uses the locative plural of 'rzęsa'. The verb 'stanąć' is perfective, focusing on the result of the extreme effort.

  Cultural context

  Poles use this when they want to emphasize that they are trying their absolute hardest (e.g., "Stanę na rzęsach, żeby zdążyć na czas" — I'll stand on my eyelashes to be on time).

  Intermediate

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