Game - guess Polish idioms/sayings in direct English translation

I know it as this one:

Szewc bez butów chodzi.

Yes, exactly.

To tell sb to the hearing.

I really have very little idea about this one. To gossip, or to disclose information about someone?

No, it means to rebuke sb.

I am going to gush/squirt with you. What does it mean?

I'm going to run away with you?

Yes!

Sth is/functions/looks to things.

Is there a better way of phrasing that one as I can't make any sense of it at all?

Sorry, that is a direct translation. :):)

But the rules here are less cruel than in Photo Riddle thread - when sb doesn`t know, we should explain immediately.

Do rzeczy means sth is good, worth taking, buying etc. . Also sb. She looks do rzeczy means attractive.

to have a nose.

Nope, wouldn't have got that one. What is the idiom in its original Polish?


For something? To know something well, predict something correctly?

'do rzeczy' means "know what s/he wants", "self-assertive (in a good way)" etc I'm reminded of how an American woman once interviewed for a job where I worked... my boss approvingly called her "Baba do rzeczy" and employed her (unfortunately we couldn't compete price wise with her other jobs).

Ok, thanks maf, I'm just trying to equate the meanings you and Pawian have given to:

Sth is/functions/looks to things.

I feel I've missed something there.

Yes!

to take one`s secret to the grave.

To never reveal a secret to one's death? Or at least for a very long time ;)

Only to one`s death. No longer.

sb has been made bald.

Somebody has been exposed for what they are? People can see what someone is really like?

Nope. It means sb feels stupid. Zrobiło mu się łyso.

So, you know! or So, you know?

OK, thanks for that.


Not much idea here. You know something, do tell?

No, it is an expression of annoyed criticism, like: How dare you? - No, wie pan! - oburzył się woźny.

to do sb from the hand/arm

How dare you indeed! Nah, wouldn't have got that!


Oh dear, another one I've not much idea about. A couple of guesses:
Is it similar to twisting somebody's arm- to pressurize someone into doing something they don't want to? Or something is convenient for somebody?

Nope. To do means to serve sb, like in the office, for example. From hand means to do it instantly, without waiting in the line. Załatwić kogoś od ręki.

Thanks for the explanation, these idioms are getting harder for me!

Yes, I know. That is why I am dealing with them in the English forum about Poland, not Polish forum about England.

I finally got home where the book by Niziurski lies on my desk, so a next one:

to act/work/function under the coating.

Before I forget:
What situations are called Mexico/ Saigon by Poles:?

Is this similar to working under the table? To do something off the record so there's no official trace? To be off the radar?


Ones of disorder and confusion?

Think more along spies...

For the Mexico/Saigon situations or the other idiom?

IIRC "Sajgon" refers to a place that's ben wrecked and "Meksyk" refers to general disorder... I haven't heard either in a long time.

One odd thing I think was/is the frequent use of the term "Mexico City" in Polish since Mexico isn't an English speaking country... but I haven't noticed Miasto Meksyk being used as frequently, much less Ciudad de Mexico or Distrito Federal ('federal district' which is what people in Mexico usually call it)

The working under the coating.

To be the eyes and ears for someone, an organisation etc? To report back to someone with information about certain activities etc?

Nah, spies can't work openly so they...

Yes, that is quite correct. Simply speaking, under cover. I was sure I wrote coatling - płaszczyk - but now I see it is coating, still close but not what I really meant.


Yes. Also chaos or even violence. I think Mexico idiom comes from Kraków. Meksyk was a bar in Nowa Huta District in communist times and it was infamous for rough customers, heavy drinking and frequent fighting. Saigon bears an obvious reference to the Vietnam war.


I come across them regularly in online comments.

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