IdiomNature
Czech
CzechHázet flintu do žita
Meaning: To give up prematurely.
Literally: To throw the rifle into the rye
Example: “Po první prohře nesmíš házet flintu do žita.” — You mustn't throw in the towel after the first defeat.
English equivalent: To throw in the towel
Origin: Flinta is a flintlock gun and žito rye. Throwing one's gun into the rye is giving up the fight, as a soldier deserting the battlefield would. The phrase means giving up too soon. No particular story or first use is documented.
Equivalents in other languages
English: throw in the towel
Portuguese: Chutar o balde Literally: To kick the bucket
Swedish: Att kasta yxan i sjön Literally: To throw the axe in the lake
Icelandic: Að leggja árar í bát Literally: To lay the oars in the boat
French: Baisser pavillon Literally: To lower the pavilion- French: Jeter l'éponge Literally: To throw the sponge
- French: Mettre pavillon bas Literally: To lower the flag
More Czech idioms
- Mít všech pět pohromadě To be of sound mind.
- Být v rejži To be in trouble.
- Přijít s křížkem po funuse To arrive uselessly too late.
- Dělat dlouhý nos To thumb your nose; to mock.
- Mít máslo na hlavě To have a guilty conscience or something to hide.
- Je to za vodou To be out of trouble; home free.
Explore another collection: False Friends
Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.
Keep exploring