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  What it means

  Literally “to drive a knife into the back.” Just like the English version, this describes a sudden and painful betrayal by someone who was trusted. It refers to an act of treachery that happens when the victim is not looking or expects it least.

  Vocabulary

  • nóż — knife
  • plecy — back (body part)
  • zdrada — betrayal

  Grammar note

  'Plecy' is a *plurale tantum* in Polish (it has no singular form). 'W plecy' uses the accusative case to indicate the direction of the action.

  Cultural context

  This is a universal metaphor for treachery, frequently used in both personal dramas and political commentary.

  Beginner

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