trzęsienie ziemi
Meaning: A sudden, violent upheaval or catastrophic disruption in society, politics, or personal circumstances.
Language: Polish
Literally: shaking of the earth
Category: Nature
Origin: The phrase takes its image from an actual earthquake, where seismic tremors shake the ground beneath our feet; metaphorically extended to any sudden, destabilizing event.
More idioms — Nature
- zapadać się pod ziemię — To wish to disappear from shame or mortification.
- studnia bez dna — An endless source of trouble or expense; something that consumes resources without limit…
- światełko w tunelu — A sign of hope or improvement after a long period of hardship or darkness.
- zmieszać z błotem — To harshly criticize or verbally attack someone; to tear them apart.
- wąchać kwiatki od spodu — To be dead; to push up daisies.
- через огонь, воду и медные трубы (cherez ogon', vodu i mednye truby) — To endure any hardship or ordeal without hesitation; to go through anything for someone o…
More Polish idioms
- co ślina na język przyniesie — Careless, thoughtless speech; whatever comes to mind without reflection or substance.
- błędne koło — A logical fallacy or impossible situation in which the solution requires solving the prob…
- ciągnie swój do swego — People naturally gravitate toward and associate with those similar to themselves.
- podbijać bębenka — To flatter someone in an attempt to win their favor.
- 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.
From our compliments & insults
- Du hast ein Händchen dafür — You have a real knack — a natural gift that makes difficult things look easy.
- Du hast Köpfchen — You're sharp and clever — you use your brain well.
- Du bist klasse — You're brilliant — excellent, impressive, top-notch.