A new one:
To fall like a plum into a compote
To fall like a plum into a compote
Game - guess Polish idioms/sayings in direct English translation - part 2
johnny reb 50 | 8296
22 Jul 2025 #722
The idiom is a literal translation of a Polish idiom.
"Wpasc jak silwka w kompot'
It means to be in a pickle or be in a difficult situation. 😉
"Wpasc jak silwka w kompot'
It means to be in a pickle or be in a difficult situation. 😉
idiom is a literal translation of a Polish idiom
Yes! The whole idea of the thread!
Here's a new one
as if X swallowed a stick
There seem to be two (related) meanings.....
as if X swallowed a stick
Standoffish appearance? Bolt upright stance?
Bolt upright stance?
One meaning.
A broader meaning can be found here: wsjp.pl/haslo/podglad/18023/jakby-kij-polknal
"w sposób sztywny, pozbawiony spontaniczności, nienaturalny" (in a stiff, unspontaneous manner, unnaturally) which is closer to the context I first came across it in a detective novel (complaining about a colleague's over-bureaucratic manner of speaking).
A broader meaning can be found here: wsjp.pl/haslo/podglad/18023/jakby-kij-polknal
Thanks for the link.
complaining about a colleague's over-bureaucratic manner of speaking).
That figures.
A new one:
If it's not a charm, it's diarrhoea
If it's not a charm, it's diarrhoea
it's not a charm
Charm doesn't really fit here, but spell does.
Charm doesn't really fit here, but spell does.
"Charm" wouldn't work but "a charm" works (widely understood as a tool of magic).
In English nouns often change meaning depending on whether they're used as count nouns or non-count nouns, like paper (papier) a paper (gazeta)
but spell does.
"a charm" works (widely understood as a tool of magic).
Yes, this definition of charm is what it means. I guess you both know the meaning then.
If it's not a charm, it's diarrhoea
If it's not good luck, it's bad luck. If it's not one thing, it's another.
A lamp post up your arse
This is quite a good one. Applies to some here.
This is quite a good one. Applies to some here.
Said when mocking someone's stupidity or uselessness?
Sort of. In a very specific way, more about the wisdom of someone's comments or perspective on an issue.
What about this one?
It's darkest under the lamp post.
It's darkest under the lamp post.
A variant of the same!
A variant of the same!
Not really....
more about the wisdom of someone's comments or perspective on an issue.
Ok, thanks.
It's darkest under the lamp post.
Hiding in plain sight? The obvious is the hardest to see?
Hiding in plain sight?
You're on the right track....
It is not a great philosophy.
I agree here with Feniks!
@Ironside, have you a better one?
@Ironside, have you a better one?
have you a better one?
I entered "have you a better one?" and Google instantly came back with "Do you have a better one?"
Time to learn English, Lyzko...It's lonely and cold at the bottom...and all that verbal garbage...
It is not a great philosophy.
"It's not rocket science" (sometimes "It's not brain surgery")
What about a reverse one...
Konie, nie zebry.
Konie, nie zebry.
To not overthink things
You're on the right track..
Is this anything to do with safety? One would think the safest place to be would be in the light directly under the lamp post but maybe the greatest threat is in a place that appears to be safe and has hidden dangers.
Or maybe can't see the wood for the trees...
Konie, nie zebry.
I can only think of the old hoofbeats thing. Hearing hoofbeats, you're more likely to have a horse than a zebra behind you. I think it was originally based in medicine, as in think of the most likely common illness rather than rare/exotic diseases.
One would think the safest place to be would be in the light directly under the lamp post
Getting closer...
more likely to have a horse than a zebra behind you. I think it was originally based in medicine
Yes.
Getting closer...
I don't feel I am!
Not noticing what's under your nose because of looking elsewhere/far away?
don't feel I am
Are you currently working on "Ni koń, ni zebra"?
Are you currently working on "Ni koń, ni zebra"?
No, I'm still working on 'It's darkest under the lamp post'.
It's darkest under the lamp post'.
Najciemniej pod latarnią.🙂