B1 Idiom Informal

στρίβω δια του αρραβώνος

to sneak away

Significado

To leave a situation quickly or secretly to avoid responsibility.

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Contexto cultural

In modern Greek culture, sharing a bill (ρεφενέ) is very common. Someone who consistently 'slips away' is viewed very negatively. Engagements were formal contracts. If a man 'turned' away, he often had to pay a fine or face a duel. The 1960s 'Golden Age' of Greek film used this phrase constantly to create humor around marriage and money. Greeks value 'filotimo' at work. Disappearing during a crisis is the opposite of filotimo.

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Use the Past Tense

You'll sound most natural using the past tense 'έστριψε' to comment on someone who just left.

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Don't Modernize

Never say 'από τον αρραβώνα'. It ruins the idiom's historical flavor.

Significado

To leave a situation quickly or secretly to avoid responsibility.

🎯

Use the Past Tense

You'll sound most natural using the past tense 'έστριψε' to comment on someone who just left.

⚠️

Don't Modernize

Never say 'από τον αρραβώνα'. It ruins the idiom's historical flavor.

💬

Sarcasm is Key

This phrase is almost always used with a bit of a 'wink' or a sarcastic tone.

Ponte a prueba

Fill in the correct form of the verb 'στρίβω'.

Χθες, ο Γιώργος _______ δια του αρραβώνος και δεν πλήρωσε.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: έστριψε

The sentence refers to 'yesterday' (χθες), so we need the Aorist (Past Simple) form.

Which situation best fits the idiom?

Πότε λέμε 'έστριψε δια του αρραβώνος';

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Όταν κάποιος φεύγει κρυφά για να μην βοηθήσει.

The idiom describes avoiding responsibility by leaving.

Match the phrase with its meaning.

Match the following:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: στρίβω δια του αρραβώνος -> αποφεύγω ευθύνη, έγινε καπνός -> εξαφανίστηκε γρήγορα, φεύγω αγγλιστί -> φεύγω χωρίς αντίο

These are all related to leaving, but with different nuances.

Complete the dialogue.

Α: Πού είναι η Μαρία; Πρέπει να πλύνει τα πιάτα. Β: ___________.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Έστριψε δια του αρραβώνος!

Maria left to avoid the chore of washing dishes.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Ayudas visuales

Banco de ejercicios

4 ejercicios
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'στρίβω'. Fill Blank B1

Χθες, ο Γιώργος _______ δια του αρραβώνος και δεν πλήρωσε.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: έστριψε

The sentence refers to 'yesterday' (χθες), so we need the Aorist (Past Simple) form.

Which situation best fits the idiom? Choose A2

Πότε λέμε 'έστριψε δια του αρραβώνος';

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Όταν κάποιος φεύγει κρυφά για να μην βοηθήσει.

The idiom describes avoiding responsibility by leaving.

Match the phrase with its meaning. Match B1

Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: στρίβω δια του αρραβώνος -> αποφεύγω ευθύνη, έγινε καπνός -> εξαφανίστηκε γρήγορα, φεύγω αγγλιστί -> φεύγω χωρίς αντίο

These are all related to leaving, but with different nuances.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion B1

Α: Πού είναι η Μαρία; Πρέπει να πλύνει τα πιάτα. Β: ___________.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Έστριψε δια του αρραβώνος!

Maria left to avoid the chore of washing dishes.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Preguntas frecuentes

5 preguntas

Yes, although it's a bit 'classic,' young people use it ironically or when talking to older family members.

Technically yes, but it would be very self-deprecating and harsh. It's mostly metaphorical now.

Ghosting is specifically for dating. 'Στρίβω δια του αρραβώνος' is broader and covers bills, work, and social duties.

Not in daily speech, except in fixed phrases like this one. Usually, we use 'από' or 'μέσω'.

It's a criticism of someone's behavior. It's not a 'bad word,' but it's not a compliment either!

Frases relacionadas

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φεύγω αγγλιστί

similar

To leave without saying goodbye.

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γίνομαι καπνός

similar

To vanish like smoke.

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την κάνω με ελαφρά πηδηματάκια

similar

To leave quietly and quickly.

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κάνω τον Κινέζο

related

To pretend you don't understand to avoid trouble.

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λούφα

related

Avoiding work/duty (slang).

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