Bedeutung
When a plan fails completely.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Serbians often use this phrase with a sense of 'inat' (defiance) or resignation. It's a way to acknowledge failure before moving on to a new plan. In Montenegro, where the coast is vital, this phrase is used just as frequently, often related to maritime or tourist season expectations. In Bosnia, the phrase is common in urban settings like Sarajevo, often used in political discourse regarding failed negotiations. The phrase is identical in Croatia. It is a standard part of the shared linguistic heritage of the region.
Use 'Sav'
To sound more natural, use 'sav' (all) before 'trud' (effort). 'Sav moj trud je pao u vodu' sounds very native.
Gender Agreement
Always check the gender of your subject. Plan (m) = pao, Ideja (f) = pala, Sve (n) = palo.
Bedeutung
When a plan fails completely.
Use 'Sav'
To sound more natural, use 'sav' (all) before 'trud' (effort). 'Sav moj trud je pao u vodu' sounds very native.
Gender Agreement
Always check the gender of your subject. Plan (m) = pao, Ideja (f) = pala, Sve (n) = palo.
Emotional Nuance
Use this phrase to show empathy when a friend's plans fail. It sounds warmer than just saying 'That's too bad'.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'pasti'.
Naš dogovor je ___ u vodu.
'Dogovor' is a masculine noun, so the verb must be 'pao'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Choose the correct sentence:
Idioms are for abstract things like ideas or plans, not physical objects like coffee or people (unless literal).
Match the situation to the phrase.
You planned a trip but the car broke down.
This is the standard way to say the plan failed.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Hoćemo li ići na koncert? B: Ne, pevač se razboleo, tako da je koncert ___.
'Koncert' is masculine.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenNaš dogovor je ___ u vodu.
'Dogovor' is a masculine noun, so the verb must be 'pao'.
Choose the correct sentence:
Idioms are for abstract things like ideas or plans, not physical objects like coffee or people (unless literal).
You planned a trip but the car broke down.
This is the standard way to say the plan failed.
A: Hoćemo li ići na koncert? B: Ne, pevač se razboleo, tako da je koncert ___.
'Koncert' is masculine.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot really. For tests, we say 'pasti na ispitu'. 'Pasti u vodu' is for the plan or the effort, not the person.
No, it's quite common in business to describe a deal or project that didn't work out. It's neutral-informal.
'Pasti' is for a one-time failure. 'Padati' is for something that fails repeatedly or is in the process of failing.
No, the idiom is fixed with 'vodu' (water). Changing it to 'more' makes it literal.
Yes, it is universally understood and used in Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia, and Croatia.
Use the present tense: 'Moji planovi padaju u vodu.'
Yes, it always implies that an intended positive outcome did not happen.
You can say 'Naši planovi za budućnost su pali u vodu' if you break up.
Yes, you could use 'projekat je otkazan' or 'plan se nije ostvario'.
Then you also say 'Pao sam u vodu', but people will know it's literal because the subject is 'I'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
propasti
synonymTo fail or collapse.
izjaloviti se
synonymTo come to naught / to fail.
pasti u zaborav
similarTo be forgotten.
obrati bostan
builds onTo be in deep trouble.
