Signification
To escape from a situation.
Contexte culturel
In Greek shadow theater (Karagiozis), the main character often 'βάζει στα πόδια' to avoid a beating from the Vizier or Veligekas. It's a symbol of the 'clever poor man' surviving against authority. Young Greeks use this phrase frequently in texts and on social media (often as 'το έβαλα' or 'έγινα λούης') to describe leaving a boring party or an awkward date. Many folk songs mention heroes or characters who 'put it to their feet' when faced with supernatural elements like 'Neraides' (fairies) or 'Kalikantzari' (goblins). While 'το βάζω στα πόδια' is for escaping, it is culturally linked to the Greek pride in running, dating back to the first Marathon. However, you wouldn't use this idiom for a professional athlete winning a race—it's strictly for 'running away' from something.
The 'Dummy' Object
Don't try to translate the 'το'. It doesn't mean 'it' here; it's just a grammatical glue that makes the idiom work.
Don't use with 'μου'
Even though they are YOUR feet, in Greek we don't say 'my feet' in this idiom. Just 'the feet' (στα πόδια).
Signification
To escape from a situation.
The 'Dummy' Object
Don't try to translate the 'το'. It doesn't mean 'it' here; it's just a grammatical glue that makes the idiom work.
Don't use with 'μου'
Even though they are YOUR feet, in Greek we don't say 'my feet' in this idiom. Just 'the feet' (στα πόδια).
Past Tense is King
You will hear 'το έβαλε' (he/she bolted) much more often than the present tense. Master the past tense form first!
Humor is key
Greeks often use this to laugh at their own lack of courage in funny situations. Don't be afraid to use it for yourself!
Teste-toi
Συμπλήρωσε το κενό με τον σωστό τύπο του ρήματος (παρελθόν).
Μόλις είδαν τον διευθυντή, τα παιδιά το ______ στα πόδια.
We need the 3rd person plural past tense because the subject is 'τα παιδιά' (the children).
Ποια είναι η σωστή φράση;
Ο κλέφτης...
The full idiom requires 'το' and 'στα πόδια'.
Ταίριαξε την κατάσταση με την αντίδραση.
Βλέπεις μια αρκούδα στο δάσος.
Running away is the most logical (and idiomatic) reaction to seeing a bear.
Συμπλήρωσε τον διάλογο.
Α: Γιατί έφυγε ο Γιάννης; Β: Μόλις είδε τον λογαριασμό, ______.
The action happened in the past (he saw the bill and then he left).
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Ways to say 'Leave' in Greek
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesΜόλις είδαν τον διευθυντή, τα παιδιά το ______ στα πόδια.
We need the 3rd person plural past tense because the subject is 'τα παιδιά' (the children).
Ο κλέφτης...
The full idiom requires 'το' and 'στα πόδια'.
Βλέπεις μια αρκούδα στο δάσος.
Running away is the most logical (and idiomatic) reaction to seeing a bear.
Α: Γιατί έφυγε ο Γιάννης; Β: Μόλις είδε τον λογαριασμό, ______.
The action happened in the past (he saw the bill and then he left).
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsUsually no. It's specifically for people or animals (things with feet). For a car, you'd say 'έφυγε με χίλια' (left with a thousand).
Not at all. It's informal and colorful, but perfectly fine to use with friends, family, or even in a casual workplace.
'Έφυγα' just means 'I left'. 'Το έβαλα στα πόδια' means 'I bolted/ran away fast because I was scared or in a hurry'.
You conjugate the verb 'βάζω' to the 3rd person plural past: 'Το έβαλαν στα πόδια'.
Probably not. It's too casual. Use 'αποχώρησα' or 'έφυγα' if you are talking about leaving a previous job.
Yes, 'τράπηκε σε φυγή' is the formal/literary equivalent used in news reports.
No, 'το' is fixed. It never becomes 'τα' or 'την'.
No, that makes no sense in Greek. The idiom only works with 'πόδια' (feet).
'Στα' is a contraction of 'σε' (to/in) and 'τα' (the). In Greek idioms, the definite article is almost always used.
Yes, it is widely understood and used across the Greek-speaking world, including Cyprus.
Expressions liées
την κοπανάω
synonymTo sneak out or skip something.
γίνομαι καπνός
similarTo disappear like smoke.
το σκάω
similarTo escape/run away.
γίνομαι λούης
synonymTo run very fast (like Spyros Louis).
φεύγω τρέχοντας
builds onTo leave running.
βάζω πόδι
contrastTo set foot / enter a place.
