Bedeutung
To suffer the worst part of a deal.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Serbia, this phrase is often used with a sense of 'resigned humor'. People use it to bond over shared difficulties with the government or economy. In Montenegro, where 'ojunaštvo' (heroism) is valued, pulling the 'deblji kraj' in a fight is seen as a temporary setback but not a loss of honor. In Bosnia, the phrase is frequently used in 'sevdah' (melancholy) contexts or storytelling to describe the tragic fate of a character. Second-generation immigrants often use this phrase to describe their parents' struggles in foreign countries.
Use it for sympathy
When you say someone 'izvukao deblji kraj', it shows you understand their struggle. It's a very empathetic idiom.
Don't say 'tanji'
Even though 'thin' seems like it should be the 'short end', in Serbian, 'deblji' is the one that hurts!
Bedeutung
To suffer the worst part of a deal.
Use it for sympathy
When you say someone 'izvukao deblji kraj', it shows you understand their struggle. It's a very empathetic idiom.
Don't say 'tanji'
Even though 'thin' seems like it should be the 'short end', in Serbian, 'deblji' is the one that hurts!
Perfective vs Imperfective
Remember: 'Izvukao' (past) for a specific event, 'Izvlači' (present) for a general rule or habit.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word in the idiom.
U tom sudaru, moj mali auto je izvukao _______ kraj.
The idiom is always 'deblji kraj' (the thicker end).
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Select the correct usage:
The idiom refers to a negative outcome or loss.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the verb 'izvući'.
A: Ko je pobedio u tuči? B: Niko, ali je Marko _______ deblji kraj.
We need the past tense (masculine singular) to describe a completed event.
Match the situation to the idiom's meaning.
Situation: Two companies merge, but one loses its brand name and half its staff.
The company suffered more loss than the other during the merger.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Serbian vs English Stick Idioms
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenU tom sudaru, moj mali auto je izvukao _______ kraj.
The idiom is always 'deblji kraj' (the thicker end).
Select the correct usage:
The idiom refers to a negative outcome or loss.
A: Ko je pobedio u tuči? B: Niko, ali je Marko _______ deblji kraj.
We need the past tense (masculine singular) to describe a completed event.
Situation: Two companies merge, but one loses its brand name and half its staff.
The company suffered more loss than the other during the merger.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, it's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your friends.
No, it is strictly for negative outcomes or losses.
There isn't a direct single idiom, but 'proći odlično' or 'izvući korist' (to draw benefit) are used.
Because the thick end of a stick hurts more when you are hit with it.
Yes, it is used across all Serbo-Croatian speaking areas.
Yes, it's very common for describing bad breakups.
Yes, you will see it in headlines very often.
Ja ću izvući, ti ćeš izvući, etc.
Yes, like a car in a crash or a house in a storm.
Yes, 'popušiti' (vulgar) or 'nastradati'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Proći kao bos po trnju
similarTo have a very hard time.
Platiti ceh
similarTo pay the price.
Obrati bostan
similarTo be in big trouble.
Dobiti po nosu
similarTo get hit on the nose.
Proći lišo
contrastTo get off easy.
