Bedeutung
To get straight to the point.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Poles value 'konkret' (concreteness). Being direct is often seen as a sign of honesty rather than rudeness. In the Polish startup scene, 'krótka piłka' is a badge of honor, signifying an 'agile' mindset. The phrase is still used literally in sports commentary, so context is key to knowing if it's an idiom. Older generations might find the phrase slightly too 'aggressive' if used by a much younger person.
The 'To' Shortcut
You can just say 'Krótka piłka!' as a standalone sentence to interrupt someone who is talking too much.
Gender Matters
Never say 'krótki piłka'. It sounds very foreign and breaks the idiom's flow.
Bedeutung
To get straight to the point.
The 'To' Shortcut
You can just say 'Krótka piłka!' as a standalone sentence to interrupt someone who is talking too much.
Gender Matters
Never say 'krótki piłka'. It sounds very foreign and breaks the idiom's flow.
Business Directness
Using this in a Polish office shows you are efficient and respect others' time.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word in the idiom.
To była _______ piłka – kupiłem bilet w minutę.
The idiom is always 'krótka piłka', even if 'szybka' (fast) makes sense literally.
In which situation is 'krótka piłka' most appropriate?
Choose the best scenario:
The idiom is used to end indecision and make a quick choice.
Complete the dialogue using the idiom.
A: Nie wiem, czy ten projekt jest dobry... B: Słuchaj, _________ : robimy go albo wyrzucamy do kosza.
B is giving an ultimatum, which is a perfect use for 'krótka piłka'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
3 AufgabenTo była _______ piłka – kupiłem bilet w minutę.
The idiom is always 'krótka piłka', even if 'szybka' (fast) makes sense literally.
Choose the best scenario:
The idiom is used to end indecision and make a quick choice.
A: Nie wiem, czy ten projekt jest dobry... B: Słuchaj, _________ : robimy go albo wyrzucamy do kosza.
B is giving an ultimatum, which is a perfect use for 'krótka piłka'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Häufig gestellte Fragen
5 FragenIt can be if used with a superior or in a sensitive situation. With friends or colleagues, it's usually seen as efficient.
No, you don't call a person a 'krótka piłka'. You describe their decision or the situation.
No, it's almost exclusively used for non-sports situations now.
The opposite would be 'owijanie w bawełnę' (beating around the bush) or 'lanie wody' (talking nonsense).
It's better to use 'Proszę o konkretną decyzję' in a very formal email. Save 'krótka piłka' for internal chats.
Verwandte Redewendungen
krótko i na temat
synonymBriefly and on point.
bez owijania w bawełnę
similarWithout beating around the bush.
lać wodę
contrastTo pour water (to talk a lot without saying anything).
postawić kawę na ławę
similarTo put coffee on the table (to speak plainly).
