Bedeutung
To give maximum effort.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase is inseparable from the game show 'Idź na całość'. It represents the era of 'wild' capitalism in Poland where people were eager to take risks for a better life. Commentators often use this when a team stops defending and puts all players in the attack. It's seen as a sign of 'charakter' (fighting spirit). Polish weddings are famous for being 'na całość'—lots of food, music, and dancing until dawn. It's a point of pride for the hosts. Influencers use this phrase when launching a big project or a bold new look, signaling to their followers that they are not holding back.
Use for motivation
Use this phrase to encourage friends before a challenge. It sounds very natural and supportive.
Watch the gender
Remember: 'Poszedł' (he), 'Poszła' (she), 'Poszli' (they). The idiom doesn't change, but the verb does!
Bedeutung
To give maximum effort.
Use for motivation
Use this phrase to encourage friends before a challenge. It sounds very natural and supportive.
Watch the gender
Remember: 'Poszedł' (he), 'Poszła' (she), 'Poszli' (they). The idiom doesn't change, but the verb does!
The 'Iść' vs 'Pójść' trick
Use 'iść' if you're talking about someone's personality (e.g., 'He always goes all out'). Use 'pójść' for a specific event.
The Chajzer effect
If you say this to a Pole over 30, they will almost certainly think of the TV show 'Idź na całość'.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Nie chciałem ryzykować, ale w końcu postanowiłem pójść na _______.
The idiom is 'pójść na całość' (Accusative case).
Which situation best fits the phrase 'pójść na całość'?
Kiedy ktoś 'idzie na całość'?
The phrase implies taking a big risk or giving maximum effort.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the verb.
A: Czy Marek kupił ten tani samochód? B: Nie, ________ na całość i kupił nowe Ferrari!
The past tense 'poszedł' is needed because the action of buying is completed.
Match the phrase to the context.
Match 'Pójść na całość' with the most likely speaker.
Coaches use this to motivate players to give 100%.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Pójść vs Iść
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenNie chciałem ryzykować, ale w końcu postanowiłem pójść na _______.
The idiom is 'pójść na całość' (Accusative case).
Kiedy ktoś 'idzie na całość'?
The phrase implies taking a big risk or giving maximum effort.
A: Czy Marek kupił ten tani samochód? B: Nie, ________ na całość i kupił nowe Ferrari!
The past tense 'poszedł' is needed because the action of buying is completed.
Match 'Pójść na całość' with the most likely speaker.
Coaches use this to motivate players to give 100%.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenNo, it's not rude. It's informal and energetic, but perfectly fine for most social and casual business situations.
Yes, but it's usually used for things that feel 'big' in the moment, like ordering a huge dessert or deciding to dance.
The opposite would be 'iść na łatwiznę' (take the easy way) or 'zachować ostrożność' (stay cautious).
Not always. It can also just mean doing something with 100% effort or in a very grand way without much risk involved.
Rarely. In a formal report, you would use 'zaangażować wszystkie środki' (engage all resources) instead.
No, 'całość' is a noun here, not an adjective. It must be 'całość'.
No, it is used universally across all of Poland.
Yes! 'Pójdę na całość' (I will go all out) is very common when making a resolution.
You say 'On poszedł na całość'.
Yes, 'polecieć po bandzie' is a more slangy, slightly more 'edgy' version.
Absolutely, it's one of the most common phrases in sports commentary.
It means 'the whole' or 'the entirety'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
postawić wszystko na jedną kartę
synonymTo bet everything on one card.
dać z siebie wszystko
similarTo give one's all.
grać va banque
synonymTo play va banque.
iść po trupach do celu
contrastTo walk over dead bodies to the goal.
nie patrzeć na koszty
builds onTo not look at the costs.
