Literally "from a lack of sealing wax." Used when you choose something only because nothing better is available. "For want of anything better."

Literally "from the rain under the gutter." Describes going from a bad situation to an even worse one — "out of the frying pan, into the fire."

Literally "with one's soul on one's shoulder." To do something while being extremely afraid or nervous. "With one's heart in one's mouth."

Literally "from a thick pipe." To do something in a grand, intense, or blunt way. "To go big / to pull no punches."

Literally "to eat bread from many different ovens." It describes someone who is experienced, worldly, and has seen a lot of different life situations.

Literally "with a finger in the nose." Means that a task is incredibly easy to perform. "With one hand tied behind my back / easy peasy."

Literally "Even Salomon cannot pour from an empty vessel." Means you cannot get something out of nothing, often used regarding money or lack of resources. "You …

Literally "high school from the back, a museum from the front." A cheeky, slightly mean way to describe an older person who dresses or has a silhouette like a …

Literally "for People's China." Used in negative sentences to mean "not for anything in the world" or "no way."

Literally "to drive a wooden peg (into someone)." Means to give someone a difficult problem to solve or to make them confused/puzzled. "To stump someone."

Literally "to roll up one's sleeves." Means to get ready for hard work.

Literally "to sweep under the rug." To hide a problem or ignore it instead of dealing with it.

Literally "uncle traded an axe for a stick." Describes a bad trade — exchanging something valuable for something worthless. Used when someone has clearly come …

Literally "to let out the crane (the bird)." Means to peek, to crane one's neck to see something, or to sneak a look at someone else's paper/screen.

Literally "to turn the guitar back." A common colloquial way to say "to annoy someone" or "to bother someone with trivial things."

Literally "to go to the dogs." Means that something has significantly declined in quality.

Literally "to eat a barrel of salt with someone." Means to know someone very well through long shared experience — you've been through everything together.

Literally "to catch the germ." Means to suddenly become very interested in a new hobby or passion. "To get the bug."

Literally "to catch God by the legs." Used when someone has experienced a huge stroke of luck. "To be on top of the world."

Literally "A poor ballerina is bothered even by the hem of her skirt." Used for someone who makes excuses for their lack of skill.

Literally "golden little hand." A person who is very handy. "A handyman."

Literally "to know each other like bald horses." Means to have known each other for a very long time.

Literally "to make someone into a balloon." To trick or fool someone.

Literally "to make someone into a horse." Means to make a fool of someone by tricking or deceiving them. Similar to "I was taken for a ride."

Literally "to make a pitchfork out of a needle." "To make a mountain out of a molehill."

Literally "If the little goat hadn't jumped, she wouldn't have broken her legs." A classic rhyme used to tell someone that their current misfortune is a direct …

Literally "even if things were collapsing and burning." Used to express absolute determination. "No matter what / come hell or high water."

Literally "at a turtle's pace." Used to describe something moving or progressing extremely slowly.

Literally "life like in Madrid." Used to describe a very comfortable, easy, or luxurious life. "Living the high life."

Literally "to live like a dog with a cat." Used to describe two people who are constantly fighting or cannot get along.

Literally "to live on a cat's paw." An informal way to say a couple is living together without being married. "Living in sin" (though used more casually now).

Literally "to live on suitcases." Used for someone who travels a lot or is constantly ready to move. "To live out of a suitcase."

Literally "to live from the 1st [of the month] to the 1st." Means living paycheck to paycheck.

Literally "a gold vein." A source of great profit or a very successful business idea. "A gold mine."

Literally "a living soul." Usually used in the negative ("nie ma żywej duszy") to mean "there isn't a single person here." "Not a soul."