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kończ waść, wstydu oszczędź

Meaning: A plea to someone to stop and spare the speaker further humiliation, even if it means accepting defeat.

Language: Polish

Literally: end yourself, spare shame

Category: Daily Life

Origin: Origin uncertain; the phrase draws on the image of shame accumulating through continued failure or embarrassment.

More idioms — Daily Life

  • krzyżyk na drogę — Good riddance; a dismissive farewell wishing someone away.
  • bez owijania w bawełnę — Bluntly and directly, without softening or sugarcoating one's words.
  • nie dać żyć — To make someone's life so difficult and burdensome that they cannot function normally.
  • zamiatać pod dywan — To conceal or hide a problem rather than address it directly.
  • włożyć kij w szprychy — To obstruct or sabotage someone's plans or efforts.
  • grać na zwłokę — To stall or delay deliberately in order to buy time until one is ready.

More Polish idioms

  • światełko w tunelu — A sign of hope or improvement after a long period of hardship or darkness.
  • robić dobrą minę do złej gry — To grin and bear it; to pretend a bad situation is acceptable.
  • zmieszać z błotem — To harshly criticize or verbally attack someone; to tear them apart.
  • rozłożyć ręce — To give up; to throw up one's hands in admission of defeat or inability to act.
  • strzyc uszami — To prick up one's ears; to listen intently.
  • cud miód — Something delicious, wonderful, or excellent.

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