15 Polish Idioms That Locals Actually Use (And You Should Too)

Polish idioms can get really quirky – and teach you a lot about Polish culture. Learn 15 commonly used Polish idioms you'll love.

Let’s be honest: learning the Polish language isn’t for the faint of heart.

Between the Polish grammar, its tongue-twisting pronunciation, and verbs that change moods more than your ex, it’s a linguistic obstacle course. But once you push past the grammar drills and vocab lists, you stumble into something super fun: Polish idioms.

Polish proverbs are weird, colorful, poetic, sometimes confusing, and always a little bit dramatic. They're like little language secrets that give you insight into how Poles think, joke, complain, and shrug off disaster.

So, here are some Polish commonly used idioms you can use with locals to sound more fluent and like you've got a good grasp of the Polish culture. 

What Are Idioms & Why Learn Them?

Idioms are phrases whose meanings can’t be understood from the words alone. They’re the code language of native speakers – expressions that carry cultural weight, humour, and history all wrapped in a few unexpected words.

In English, we “spill the beans” when we reveal a secret. We “kick the bucket” when we die (rude). And when something’s easy? It’s a “piece of cake.”Polish does the same thing – but with more monkeys, windmills, and soap.

So why should you, a brave Polish learner, care about Polish idiomatic expressions? Here’s the deal:

• Idioms are everywhere. Native speakers use proverbs constantly – in conversations, news, TV shows, and even business emails (seriously).

• They make you sound fluent. Toss one idiom into a sentence, and people will instantly assume you know your stuff.

• They’re full of personality. Idiomatic sayings let you express frustration, sarcasm, joy, or resignation in a way that textbook language just can’t match.

• They help you think in Polish. Once you start understanding Polish popular idioms, you're actually thinking like a Polish person. That’s the real flex.

• Your Polish reading skills, Polish listening skills, and Polish writing skills will improve. And let's not forget expanding your Polish vocabulary!

Also, let’s be honest: being able to understand and use Polish cultural idioms in a conversation will make you level up your Polish significantly. Plus, using Polish idiomatic expressions is just fun. 

15 Polish Commonly Used Idioms That Go Way Beyond Duolingo

Here are 10 of the quirkiest Polish proverbs out there. Some are hilarious. Some are weirdly poetic. All of them will make your Polish sound 100% more authentic (and way more fun). Ready? Let’s dive headfirst into the monkey business (pun intended).

1. Nie mój cyrk, nie moje małpy

Literal: Not my circus, not my monkeys

Meaning: Not my problem.

You can use it to say, “Not my drama, not my mess, not my job to mop it up.” It's your verbal exit strategy when someone tries to drag you into their chaos, and you're already halfway out the door.

This is one of the Polish cultural idioms that have existed for a long time, but only started popping off in the early 2010s. It’s got that perfect mix of sass and boundary-setting. Ideal for dodging debates about your cousin’s love life, your boss’s meltdown, or politics over pierogi.

2. Rzucać grochem o ścianę

Literal: To throw peas at the wall

Meaning: To make a futile effort; to talk to someone who isn't listening.

Imagine trying to get a point across, but it's as effective as hurling peas at a wall – nothing sticks. This expression dates back to times when peas were a common food item. They were cheap and everywhere, so of course, they became the metaphor for wasted effort. English goes with “throwing spaghetti,” but peas bounce better. And so does your frustration.

3. Siedzieć jak na szpilkach

Literal: To sit as if on pins

Meaning: To be on edge; to be anxious.

This one nails that jittery, can’t-sit-still kind of anxiety – like waiting for your exam results, or a text back from your crush. It’s our version of “sitting on pins and needles,” and it hits the same nerve: anticipation so intense, it physically pokes you. Universally relatable. Mildly uncomfortable. Emotionally accurate.

4. Bułka z masłem

Literal: A roll with butter

Meaning: Something very easy; a piece of cake.

If English speakers reach for cake to describe an easy task, Poles go for the humble buttered roll. This idiom doesn’t have a deep folkloric backstory or some ancient peasant proverb carved into a barn wall. It's more of a common sense, food-is-life kind of thing – because back in the day (and even now) your average Polish breakfast was a bun with butter. Simple as that!

5. Co ma piernik do wiatraka?

Literal: What does gingerbread have to do with a windmill?

Meaning: That's irrelevant; those things are unrelated.

A rhetorical question used to point out a non-sequitur (when something doesn't make sense in comparison to the previous point being made) in conversation. This idiom is basically saying, “What does that have to do with anything?” Sure, gingerbread and windmills both come from Toruń, but comparing them makes zero sense.

6. Zrobić z igły widły

Literal: To make a pitchfork out of a needle

Meaning: To exaggerate; to make a mountain out of a molehill.

This idiom warns against blowing things out of proportion, like turning a tiny needle into a large pitchfork. It’s a great visual: one small, harmless object (the needle) suddenly becomes a farming tool of doom (the pitchfork). Total overreaction. In short, it’s a funny way of saying, “Calm down, it’s not that deep.”

7. Nie mieć pojęcia, o co kaman

Literal: To have no idea what's going on

Meaning: To be clueless.

This is a modern slang expression that indicates complete confusion. "Kaman" is not a real word; it's just a phonetic adaptation of the English "come on," which young people started to use to express surprise or confusion.

8. Mieć muchy w nosie

Literal: To have flies in one's nose

Meaning: To be in a bad mood without a clear reason.

In Polish, someone who's irritable or sulking has "flies in their nose" – you know, like when something tiny and annoying won’t leave you alone and suddenly you’re ready to snap at anyone who breathes too loudly. It’s not about full-blown rage. It’s more "don’t talk to me, I’m brooding and I don’t know why." 

9. Kiedy wejdziesz między wrony, musisz krakać jak i one

Literal: When you enter among crows, you must caw like them

Meaning: When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Whether you're navigating a new city, a new job, or just your in-laws’ weird dinner rituals, this idiom says: adapt, imitate, survive. This proverb has been part of Polish folklore since at least the 19th century, emphasizing the importance of conformity and social harmony.​

10. Leje jak z cebra

Literal: It's pouring like from a bucket

Meaning: It's raining heavily.

Leje jak z cebra” is what you mutter when your umbrella gives up, your shoes become pools, and it looks like someone up there is dumping out a bucket for fun. The "ceber" is a traditional wooden bucket, so it paints the picture of heavy rain being dumped from such a bucket.

11. Porywać się z motyką na słońce

Literal: To attack the sun with a stick

Meaning: To undertake an impossible task; to bite off more than you can chew.

This is one of the Polish traditional idioms. It is a warning against biting off more than you can chew. It’s like showing up to fight the sun… with a stick. Bold move. The stick represents your limited tools; the sun, a challenge so huge it's basically laughing at you. Moral of the story? Know your limits – and maybe pick a different battle.

12. Obiecywać gruszki na wierzbie

Literal: To promise pears on a willow

Meaning: To make unrealistic promises; to offer something unattainable.

This idiom is basically the Polish way of saying, “Don’t fall for fairy tales.” Willows don’t grow pears, just like some people don’t follow through on their big talk. It’s used when someone’s making promises so unrealistic, you’d be smarter to smile, nod, and back away slowly. No pears here – just some Polish cultural idioms.

13. Wpuścić kogoś w maliny

Literal: To let someone into the raspberries

Meaning: To deceive someone; to lead someone into trouble.

This idiom paints a picture of someone being led into a thorny situation under false pretenses. It's a cautionary tale about being misled into complications.​ The phrase likely originates from the idea of leading someone into a raspberry thicket – enticing from afar but full of hidden difficulties. 

Use this Polish idiom when someone’s been set up to fail, tricked into chaos, or just got peer-pressured into something dumb with a smile and zero disclaimers.

14. Złapać Pana Boga za nogi

Literal: To catch God by the leg

Meaning: To feel extremely fortunate; to believe one has achieved the ultimate success.

This idiom conveys a sense of unparalleled luck, as if one has managed to grasp the divine. Catching God by the leg? That’s not just luck! That’s divine VIP access. You can use this Polish saying when someone is absolutely convinced they’re living their best life, like they’ve cracked the code of the universe.

15. Cichy jak mysz pod miotłą

Literal: Quiet as a mouse under a broom

Meaning: Extremely quiet; keeping a low profile.

Imagine a mouse so terrified of being caught, it hides so perfectly still beneath a broom that you'd think it’s part of the dusting crew. It’s the “I’m not here” vibe. The I’d-rather-not-get-involved energy. Perfect for when someone is tiptoeing around a tense situation, trying to avoid all the drama.

Use These Polish Common Idioms to Polish Up Your Polish

There you have it! 15 Polish useful idioms that prove Polish is a whole mood. From flying monkeys to divine leg-grabbing, these Polish expressions aren't just quirky Polish literary idioms. 

These Polish traditional expressions are cultural cheat codes. Drop a few of these in conversation, and suddenly you’re not just speaking Polish. You're thinking in Polish. Feeling it. Vibing with it.

So the next time you feel like you’ve caught God by the leg or someone’s led you into the metaphorical raspberry bush, now you’ve got the words for it. Go ahead, throw some peas at the wall and see what sticks.

If you'd like to learn more about the Polish language, Polish linguistics, and Polish culture, be sure to check out the other articles on this blog – like this one with 30 funny Polish sayings and phrases you didn't know. And follow me on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, where I post (almost) daily videos teaching Polish in under 1 minute.