Signification
Literal: to let the leg go. Meaning to escape.
Contexte culturel
The 'Estonian Exit' is a real social phenomenon where people leave parties without a formal goodbye. 'Jalga laskma' is the verb used to describe this. Similar to Finns, Estonians value silence and personal space. Bolting from a crowded social situation is often seen as self-care rather than rudeness. In many folk tales, the hero must 'jalga laskma' from a mythological creature like the Vanapagan (Old Heathen). In the context of e-Estonia, 'jalga laskma' can also refer to 'rage-quitting' a video game or suddenly leaving a Slack channel.
The 'Escape' Logic
Think of 'laskma' as 'releasing' your legs to do what they want—which is usually to run away from boredom!
Case Matters
Always use 'jalga' (partitive). If you use 'jala' (genitive), the idiom breaks and you're just talking about a physical leg.
Signification
Literal: to let the leg go. Meaning to escape.
The 'Escape' Logic
Think of 'laskma' as 'releasing' your legs to do what they want—which is usually to run away from boredom!
Case Matters
Always use 'jalga' (partitive). If you use 'jala' (genitive), the idiom breaks and you're just talking about a physical leg.
Social Nuance
Using this phrase about yourself is funny; using it about someone else can be slightly critical (implying they are a flake).
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'laskma'.
Eile oli pidu nii igav, et ma ______ jalga.
'Eile' (yesterday) requires the past tense first-person singular form 'lasksin'.
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the idiomatic way to say 'He ran away'.
The idiom requires the partitive singular 'jalga'.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You are at a boring meeting and want to suggest leaving to your friend.
'Laseme jalga?' is the 'we' form in a question, perfect for a suggestion.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kus Jüri on? B: Ta nägi oma eksnaist ja ______.
Bolting from an ex-wife fits the 'escape' meaning of 'jalga laskma'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesEile oli pidu nii igav, et ma ______ jalga.
'Eile' (yesterday) requires the past tense first-person singular form 'lasksin'.
Choose the idiomatic way to say 'He ran away'.
The idiom requires the partitive singular 'jalga'.
You are at a boring meeting and want to suggest leaving to your friend.
'Laseme jalga?' is the 'we' form in a question, perfect for a suggestion.
A: Kus Jüri on? B: Ta nägi oma eksnaist ja ______.
Bolting from an ex-wife fits the 'escape' meaning of 'jalga laskma'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt's informal. It's not necessarily rude among friends, but it implies you left without much ceremony.
No, it requires a subject with legs (human or animal). For a car, you'd use 'kihutas minema'.
'Põgenema' is the formal word for 'to escape' (e.g., from prison). 'Jalga laskma' is casual (e.g., from a party).
Use 'laskis' for he/she/it. Example: 'Ta laskis jalga'.
In this idiom, no. It's always singular 'jalga'.
Definitely not. It sounds too casual and implies you might run away from your responsibilities.
Literally, yes, but no one uses it that way. Context will always make it clear it's an idiom.
Yes, very common in Estonian action and comedy films.
Yes, that's a very common and slightly funnier variation.
Use 'Ma hakkan nüüd minema' (I'll start going now).
Expressions liées
plehku panema
synonymTo run away / escape
varvast laskma
similarTo bolt (humorous)
kaabit tõmbama
slangTo bolt / peel out
jalga puhkama
contrastTo rest one's legs
sääred tegema
synonymTo make shins (to bolt)
