IdiomThe AbsurdPolish

wziąć z sufitu

Meaning: To invent something without basis; to make something up or fabricate it.

Literally: To take from the ceiling

Example: “Te liczby w raporcie są wzięte z sufitu.” — The figures in the report were pulled out of thin air.

English equivalent: Out of thin air

Equivalents in other languages

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Origin: Something taken from the ceiling has no source: the speaker simply looked up and made it up. Wziąć z sufitu is to invent figures or facts out of thin air; Russian says the same, взять с потолка. No first use is documented.

More idioms — The Absurd

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