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  What it means

  Literally “to put a stick in the spokes,” this expression means to deliberately sabotage someone’s plans or cause trouble. It visualizes the immediate, messy crash that happens when a bicycle wheel is suddenly blocked. You would use this when a colleague or competitor tries to hinder your progress with unnecessary obstacles.

  Vocabulary

  • wkładać — to put in / to insert (imperfective)
  • kij — stick / pole
  • szprychy — spokes (of a wheel)

  Grammar note

  The verb 'wkładać' is imperfective, suggesting an ongoing action or a general tendency. The noun 'szprychy' is in the accusative plural because 'w' triggers the accusative when it indicates movement into something.

  Cultural context

  While English speakers might "throw a wrench in the works," Poles prefer this cycling-themed metaphor. It is a neutral idiom appropriate for both workplace and casual contexts.

  Beginner

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