Kłamstwo ma krótkie nogi
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What it means
A lie has short legs, it can’t run far. Lies are soon caught out.
English equivalent
Lies have short legs.
Vocabulary
- kłamstwo — lie, falsehood
- krótki — short
- nogi — legs (plural of noga)
Grammar note
'Krótkie nogi' uses the accusative plural after 'mieć' (to have). The metaphor of short legs means a lie cannot travel far before being caught.
Cultural context
One of the most common Polish proverbs about honesty, with direct equivalents across many European languages.
Beginner
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