Słowo się rzekło, kobyłka u płota
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What it means
“The word was spoken, the mare is at the fence.” Once something has been said (or promised), it must be done — the horse is already saddled and waiting. A commitment made is a commitment kept.
English equivalent
A promise is a promise.
Vocabulary
- słowo — word, promise
- rzec — to say, to utter (archaic/literary)
- kobyłka — mare (diminutive of kobyła)
- płot — fence
Grammar note
'Rzekło się' is the reflexive past of 'rzec' (archaic). 'U płota' uses the genitive after 'u' (at, by). Note: both spellings 'płota' and 'płotu' appear in variants of this proverb.
Cultural context
The image is of a horse tied to the fence, ready to go — the journey (task) cannot be undone once announced.
Intermediate
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