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  What it means

  Literally “to let out the crane.” This vivid idiom refers to the long-necked bird. It means to crane one’s neck to sneak a peek at something, such as looking at a neighbor’s exam paper, a stranger’s phone screen, or over a fence to see what a neighbor is doing.

  Vocabulary

  • zapuścić — to let out / to launch / to grow (a beard)
  • żuraw — crane (bird)
  • podglądać — to snoop / to peep

  Grammar note

  'Żurawia' is the accusative singular of 'żuraw'. The verb 'zapuścić' is perfective, describing the act of craning the neck.

  Cultural context

  In schools, teachers might warn students "nie zapuszczać żurawia!" during a test.

  Intermediate

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