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  What it means

  Literally “water for the mill,” this idiom refers to something that provides an advantage to someone or supports their specific argument, especially an opponent’s argument. It is the Polish version of “grist to the mill.” If you make a mistake that your rival can use against you, that mistake is “woda na ich młyn.”

  Vocabulary

  • woda — water
  • młyn — mill
  • argument — argument
  • korzyść — benefit / advantage

  Grammar note

  The construction 'na' + accusative ('młyn') indicates the destination or the object being "fed" by the water.

  Cultural context

  This phrase is ubiquitous in Polish political commentary and debate. It perfectly captures the idea of unintentionally helping someone else's "machinery" of persuasion.

  Beginner

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