kupować kota w worku
Meaning: To purchase something without examining it first, risking getting a poor deal.
Language: Polish
Literally: to buy a cat in a sack
Category: Animals
Origin: A medieval marketplace fraud where sellers would substitute a cat for a piglet in a closed sack; the buyer would only discover the deception after paying.
More idioms — Animals
- ptasi móżdżek — A stupid or scatterbrained person.
- strzyc uszami — To prick up one's ears; to listen intently.
- rany koguta — A mild exclamation expressing surprise, frustration, or emphasis.
- wziąć w łapę — To take a bribe or to accept money corruptly.
- pijany jak świnia — Extremely intoxicated or drunk.
- ежовые рукавицы (ezhovye rukavitsy) — Harsh, strict, or iron-fisted rule or discipline.
More Polish idioms
- zapadać się pod ziemię — To wish to disappear from shame or mortification.
- na kolanie — Done quickly, crudely, or without proper care; improvised and shoddy.
- utrzymać język za zębami — To keep silent and refrain from speaking.
- papierek lakmusowy — A decisive test that reveals the true nature or quality of something.
- nic a nic — Not at all; not in the slightest.
- mieć głowę na karku — To be sensible, intelligent, and capable of thinking for oneself.
From our false friends
- Oldtimer — Actually means 'vintage car' or 'classic aircraft'. A veteran person is ein Veteran.
- Camera — Actually means 'room'. A camera (device) is una macchina fotografica.
- Pretendere — Actually means 'to demand' or 'to expect'. Pretende troppo = He demands too much.