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  What it means

  A cadet always makes it in time. Ironic saying about someone who is perpetually late yet always manages to arrive just in the nick of time — or who uses the excuse that they’ll get there eventually.

  Vocabulary

  • podchorąży — officer cadet, ensign
  • zawsze — always
  • zdążyć — to make it in time, to be on time

  Grammar note

  'Zdąży' is the third person singular future perfective of 'zdążyć'.

  Cultural context

  Rooted in military culture where cadets were stereotyped as rushing in at the last moment. Used humorously to excuse lateness.

  Intermediate

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