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  What it means

  “The thief’s hat is on fire.” A guilty person gives themselves away by their own nervous reaction ; they feel accused even when no one has pointed at them directly.

  English equivalent

  If the cap fits, wear it.

  Vocabulary

  • złodziej — thief
  • czapka — hat, cap
  • gore — burns, is on fire (archaic/poetic third person singular of gorzeć)

  Grammar note

  'Na złodzieju' uses the locative of 'złodziej' after 'na'. 'Gore' is an archaic third person singular of 'gorzeć' (to burn).

  Cultural context

  This proverb is widely used in Polish to call out someone who reacts guiltily to a general remark, revealing their own bad conscience.

  Intermediate

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