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  What it means

  Literally “to pour the baby out with the bathwater,” this idiom is the exact equivalent of the English expression. It warns against a situation where, in the process of trying to get rid of something negative or unnecessary, one accidentally destroys something valuable or essential. It is a common warning in politics and business during major reforms.

  Vocabulary

  • wylać — to pour out / spill
  • dziecko — baby / child
  • kąpiel — bath

  Grammar note

  'Kąpielą' is the instrumental singular of the feminine noun 'kąpiel,' required by the preposition 'z' when it means "along with."

  Cultural context

  This phrase is well-known throughout Europe. In Polish, it sounds slightly formal but is used effectively in arguments to advocate for caution during big changes.

  Intermediate

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