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  What it means

  Literally “to drill a hole in someone’s belly,” this vivid idiom means to pester, nag, or relentlessly pressure someone into doing or giving something. The image is of someone boring into another person with persistent requests until they wear them down. It is typically used when a child pesters a parent for a toy, a friend nags another friend for a favor, or a colleague keeps pushing for something their boss is reluctant to approve. The imperfective verb “wiercić” emphasizes the ongoing, repetitive nature of the nagging.

  Vocabulary

  • wiercić — to drill, to bore (imperfective verb)
  • dziura — hole (feminine noun); accusative: dziurę
  • brzuch — belly, stomach, abdomen (masculine noun); locative: brzuchu
  • komuś — to/in someone (dative of ktoś — often added: wiercić komuś dziurę w brzuchu)

  Grammar note

  The full colloquial form is "wiercić komuś dziurę w brzuchu" — "komuś" is the dative of "ktoś" (to/in someone), "dziurę" is the accusative direct object (what is being drilled), and "w brzuchu" is a locative phrase (in the belly). The imperfective aspect of "wiercić" is essential — it captures the repetitive, ongoing nature of nagging.

  Cultural context

  This is a colloquial, informal expression used across Poland with no regional restrictions. It carries a humorous, slightly exasperated tone and is used by adults and children alike. The closest English equivalents are "to pester someone," "to badger someone," or "to nag someone to death." It is especially common in family contexts.

  Intermediate

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