wziąć na ambit
Meaning: To challenge someone to prove their courage or honor; to call someone's bravery into question.
Language: Polish
Literally: to take onto one’s pride
Category: Daily Life
Origin: The phrase turns on “ambit”, a colloquial word for personal pride or honour rather than ordinary ambition; to take something na ambit is to make it a matter of that pride. The word’s own derivation is uncertain.
More idioms — Daily Life
- wziąć na bajer — To deceive someone or con them into believing something false.
- книга за семью печатями — Something utterly mysterious and incomprehensible; a complete enigma.
- в Тулу со своим самоваром — To do something pointless or wasteful; to bring something unnecessary or redundant to a p…
- до свадьбы заживёт — A minor injury or problem will resolve itself naturally and quickly.
- наступить дважды на одни и те же грабли — To repeat the same mistake or fall into the same trap a second time.
- козырная карта — A decisive advantage or secret resource held in reserve.
More Polish idioms
- wziąć na barki — To assume responsibility for something or take on a burden.
- pijany jak świnia — Extremely intoxicated or drunk.
- Nie mój cyrk, nie moje małpy — Not my problem; I'm not getting involved.
- Gdzie raki zimują — To be in serious trouble; to learn a harsh lesson.
- Musztarda po obiedzie — Too late to be of any use.
- Rzucać grochem o ścianę — To plead with someone who will not listen.
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