Konia kują, żaba nogę podstawia
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What it means
While the horse is being shod, the frog sticks out its leg. Said of someone who meddles or tries to imitate those far above their station.
Vocabulary
- koń — horse
- kuć — to shoe (a horse), to forge
- żaba — frog
- noga — leg, foot
- podstawiać — to stick out, to put forward
Grammar note
'Konia kują' uses the accusative 'konia' as the object of 'kuć'. The present tense gives the proverb a vivid, ongoing quality.
Cultural context
The frog imitating the horse being shod is a classic image of presumptuous imitation. Related to the fable tradition of animals overreaching their nature.
Intermediate
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