IdiomNature
Polish
Polishświatełko w tunelu
Meaning: A sign of hope or improvement after a long period of hardship or darkness.
Literally: Small light in a tunnel
Example: “Nowe lekarstwo to światełko w tunelu dla chorych.” — The new drug is the light at the end of the tunnel for patients.
English equivalent: The light at the end of the tunnel
Equivalents in other languages
French: Le bout du tunnel Literally: The end of the tunnel
English: the light at the end of the tunnel
Origin: From the light seen at the end of a long, dark tunnel, the sign that the way out is near. Światełko w tunelu (a little light in the tunnel) is the Polish form of English "light at the end of the tunnel," said of the first sign of improvement after a hard time. No first Polish use is documented.
More Polish idioms
- krzyżyk na drogę Good riddance; a dismissive farewell wishing someone away.
- robić dobrą minę do złej gry To grin and bear it; to pretend a bad situation is acceptable.
- rozłożyć ręce To give up; to throw up one's hands in admission of defeat or inability to act.
- bez owijania w bawełnę Bluntly and directly, without softening or sugarcoating one's words.
- strzyc uszami To prick up one's ears; to listen intently.
- zamiatać pod dywan To conceal or hide a problem rather than address it directly.
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