wąchać kwiatki od spodu

Meaning: To be dead; to push up daisies.

Language: Polish

Literally: to sniff flowers from below

Category: Nature

Origin: The image is of a corpse lying beneath the ground, with only flowers growing above from that spot—viewing them from underground.

More idioms — Nature

More Polish idioms

  • rany koguta — A mild exclamation expressing surprise, frustration, or emphasis.
  • stracić nerwy — To lose one's emotional control and become agitated or frantic.
  • stracić głowę — To act without rational thought; to abandon self-control and sound judgment.
  • włożyć kij w szprychy — To obstruct or sabotage someone's plans or efforts.
  • wziąć z sufitu — To invent something without basis; to make something up or fabricate it.
  • manna z nieba — An unexpected blessing or fortunate arrival of something greatly needed.

From our false friends

  • Fame — Actually means 'hunger'. Ho fame = I'm hungry. For fame (renown), say fama.
  • Vaso — Actually means 'a drinking glass'. A vase (for flowers) is un jarrón or florero.
  • Pasta — Actually means 'folder' or 'briefcase'. Pasta (the food) is massa.

Browse all false friends →

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