podbijać bębenka
Meaning: To flatter someone in an attempt to win their favor.
Language: Polish
Literally: to beat the drum
Category: Daily Life
Origin: The image is of beating a drum—making noise and drawing attention—to promote or praise someone.
More idioms — Daily Life
- na kolanie — Done quickly, crudely, or without proper care; improvised and shoddy.
- papierek lakmusowy — A decisive test that reveals the true nature or quality of something.
- wyrzucić pieniądze w błoto — To waste money on something worthless or futile.
- prosty jak drut — Very easy or straightforward.
- dusza towarzystwa — The most entertaining or lively person at a gathering.
- list gończy — An arrest warrant, especially a public wanted poster circulated to apprehend a fugitive.
More Polish idioms
- róg Amaltei — An abundant and inexhaustible source of wealth or plenty.
- kupować kota w worku — To purchase something without examining it first, risking getting a poor deal.
- zapadać się pod ziemię — To wish to disappear from shame or mortification.
- utrzymać język za zębami — To keep silent and refrain from speaking.
- 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 proverbs
- Follow the river and you'll get to the sea. — Persistence along an established path naturally leads to your destination, even without k…
- A bird can roost upon but one branch. — Individual focus and commitment matter more than scattered efforts across multiple simult…
- He that will not be ruled by the rudder must be ruled by the rock. — Ignoring gentle guidance leads inevitably to destruction, as a ship resisting the helm cr…