Signification
No longer having a responsibility/problem.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is often used with a sigh of relief, reflecting the high value Czechs place on their free time (volný čas) and the separation of work and life. The Latin root 'obligo' is a remnant of the shared legal history of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, found in similar forms in Hungarian and Polish legal history. In modern offices, being 'z obliga' is a common way to describe successful delegation, sometimes used with a hint of irony. Commentators use it when a team scores enough goals to be safe from losing, even if the game isn't over.
Use it for relief
The best time to use this is when you feel a physical sense of relief that a task is gone.
Preposition check
Never say 'v obliga'. It's always 'z obliga'.
Signification
No longer having a responsibility/problem.
Use it for relief
The best time to use this is when you feel a physical sense of relief that a task is gone.
Preposition check
Never say 'v obliga'. It's always 'z obliga'.
Add 'venku'
Adding 'venku' (Jsem z obliga venku) makes you sound very native and emphatic.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word in the idiom.
Petr už tu práci nemusí dělat, je z _______.
The preposition 'z' always takes the genitive case, which for 'obligo' is 'obliga'.
Match the situation to the correct use of the phrase.
Which situation best fits 'Jsem z obliga'?
The phrase is used when a responsibility is removed from you.
Choose the correct past tense form for a woman speaking.
Když sestra uklidila pokoj, _______ jsem z obliga.
The past tense verb must agree with the gender of the speaker (feminine).
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Kdo pohlídá děti?' B: 'Babička říkala, že přijde.' A: 'Skvělé, tak _______.'
The standard idiom is 'být z obliga'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesPetr už tu práci nemusí dělat, je z _______.
The preposition 'z' always takes the genitive case, which for 'obligo' is 'obliga'.
Which situation best fits 'Jsem z obliga'?
The phrase is used when a responsibility is removed from you.
Když sestra uklidila pokoj, _______ jsem z obliga.
The past tense verb must agree with the gender of the speaker (feminine).
A: 'Kdo pohlídá děti?' B: 'Babička říkala, že přijde.' A: 'Skvělé, tak _______.'
The standard idiom is 'být z obliga'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it's the genitive form of 'obligo', but 'obligo' is rarely used alone today.
Yes, it's neutral enough, but don't use it to sound like you avoid work!
Almost exactly. Both imply being released from a duty or blame.
Yes, that is the future tense: 'I will be off the hook'.
No, it's a very polite and common idiom.
The opposite is 'mít povinnost' (to have a duty) or 'být v tom' (to be in it).
Yes: 'Jsme z obliga'.
Originally yes, but now it's mostly for tasks and blame.
Like a 'z' in 'zebra', and connect it to the next word.
Yes, 'mám to z krku' is more informal.
Expressions liées
Mít to z krku
similarTo have something off one's neck.
Být v suchu
similarTo be in the dry.
Zprostit viny
specialized formTo acquit of guilt.
Být v tom až po uši
contrastTo be in it up to one's ears.
