IdiomDaily Life
Polish
Polishwłożyć kij w szprychy
Meaning: To obstruct or sabotage someone's plans or efforts.
Literally: To put a stick in the spokes
Example: “Deszcz włożył kij w szprychy naszym planom na piknik.” — The rain threw a spanner in the works of our picnic plans.
English equivalent: To throw a spanner in the works
Equivalents in other languages
English: To throw a spanner in the works
Slovenian: Metati polena pod noge Literally: To throw logs under someone's feet
Dutch: roet in het eten gooien Literally: To throw soot in the food
Swedish: sätta käppar i hjulet Literally: To set sticks in the wheel
Origin: A stick pushed into the spokes of a wheel stops it dead and can throw the rider. Włożyć kij w szprychy is to sabotage someone's plans, like English "put a spoke in someone's wheel." No first Polish use is documented.
More Polish idioms
- 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.
- stracić twarz To suffer a loss of respect, dignity, or social standing, especially through shame or fai…
- wziąć w łapę To take a bribe or to accept money corruptly.
- wziąć na barki To assume responsibility for something or take on a burden.
- pijany jak świnia Extremely intoxicated or drunk.
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