IdiomDaily Life
Polish
PolishGra niewarta świeczki
Meaning: It doesn't pay; the effort costs more than it brings.
Literally: The game isn't worth the candle
Example: “Mogłabym się odwołać od tego mandatu, ale gra niewarta świeczki.” — I could appeal the ticket, but the game isn't worth the candle.
English equivalent: The game is not worth the candle
Equivalents in other languages
French: Le jeu n'en vaut pas la chandelle Literally: The game is not worth the candle
English: the game is not worth the candle
Spanish: Sale más caro el collar que el perro Literally: The collar costs more than the dog
Italian: Il gioco non vale la candela Literally: The game isn't worth the candle
Japanese: 労多くして功少なし (Rō ōkushite kō sukunashi) Literally: Much toil, little merit
Dutch: Het sop is de kool niet waard Literally: The broth isn't worth the cabbage
Russian: Игра не стоит свеч (Igra ne stoit svech) Literally: The game isn't worth the candles
Chinese: 得不偿失 (Dé bù cháng shī) Literally: The gain doesn't make up for the loss
Origin: Borrowed from the French le jeu n'en vaut pas la chandelle. It is mostly used in the negative; the positive gra jest warta świeczki means something is worth doing. Bolesław Prus uses it in his novel Emancypantki (The Emancipated Women, 1890s).
More Polish idioms
- Nie mój cyrk, nie moje małpy Not my problem; I'm not getting involved.
- Gdzie raki zimują To be in serious trouble; to learn a harsh lesson.
- Musztarda po obiedzie Too late to be of any use.
- Rzucać grochem o ścianę To plead with someone who will not listen.
- Bułka z masłem Something very easy; a piece of cake.
- Wiercić komuś dziurę w brzuchu To nag someone relentlessly.
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- Du hast ein Händchen dafür You have a real knack — a natural gift that makes difficult things look easy.
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