Żarty na bok
Listen
What it means
Literally “jokes to the side.” This phrase is used to signal a transition in conversation from a lighthearted, humorous tone to a serious or urgent one. It is a way of saying, “Okay, we’ve had our fun, now let’s focus on the matter at hand.”
Vocabulary
- żarty — jokes
- bok — side
- poważnie — seriously
Grammar note
This is a fixed elliptical expression where the verb (like 'odłożyć' - to put away) is omitted but understood. 'Żarty' is the nominative plural of 'żart'.
Cultural context
This is a very useful "transition" phrase for language learners to master. It helps you control the flow of a conversation and ensures people take you seriously when the topic shifts.
Beginner
Noticed a typo, a wrong translation, or anything that doesn't look right? We'd love to fix it — just let us know via the contact page. Thank you!
More Polish idioms
- Literally "one's whole life flew past before the eyes," this phrase describes the vivid, involuntary …
- Literally "for an example," na przykład is the standard Polish phrase for "for example" or "for …
- Literally "in the last/recent times," ostatnimi czasy is a common temporal phrase meaning "lately," …
- Literally "in the manner of Judas," this adverb describes acting in a treacherous, backstabbing way …