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  What it means

  “That’s where the dog is buried.” Used when the real reason, hidden cause, or key point of a matter becomes clear. It is like saying “that’s the crux of the matter” or “that’s the catch.”

  English equivalent

  That's the crux of the matter. / There's the rub.

  Vocabulary

  • leżeć — to lie (be located)
  • pies — dog
  • pogrzebany — buried

  Grammar note

  'Pogrzebany' is a past passive participle agreeing with 'pies' (masculine nominative singular).

  Cultural context

  The phrase was borrowed from German ('Da liegt der Hund begraben') through literary tradition. It is common in journalism and everyday speech.

  Intermediate

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