Signification
To be unwilling to spend money.
Contexte culturel
In Poland, the concept of 'zastaw się, a postaw się' (show off even if you have to go into debt) is the cultural opposite of having a snake in your pocket. Being seen as stingy is a major social blow. People from Kraków are stereotypically called 'Centusie' (misers). They are often the target of 'snake in the pocket' jokes in Poland, similar to how Scots are viewed in the UK. Younger Poles use this idiom less frequently than older generations, often preferring the word 'sęp' (vulture) for someone who takes but never gives. In Polish startups, 'having a snake in the pocket' can sometimes be rebranded as 'bootstrapping' or 'lean management', but the idiom remains a negative social descriptor.
Use it for teasing
It's a great way to playfully tease a friend who is being a bit too careful with their money.
Don't be too mean
While common, it can be an insult. Use it with people you know well.
Signification
To be unwilling to spend money.
Use it for teasing
It's a great way to playfully tease a friend who is being a bit too careful with their money.
Don't be too mean
While common, it can be an insult. Use it with people you know well.
The 'Great' Snake
Add adjectives like 'ogromny' (huge) or 'straszny' (terrible) to emphasize how stingy someone is: 'On ma strasznego węża w kieszeni!'
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word in the correct form.
Mój sąsiad nigdy nie daje dzieciom cukierków, on ma ______ w kieszeni.
The verb 'mieć' requires the Accusative case. 'Węża' is the Accusative of 'wąż'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to call a friend stingy?
Twoja koleżanka nie chce zapłacić za wspólną pizzę. Co powiesz?
The standard idiom is 'mieć węża w kieszeni'.
Match the person to the description.
Kto ma węża w kieszeni?
The idiom describes someone who has money but refuses to spend it.
Complete the dialogue.
- Dlaczego on nie chce dorzucić się do paliwa? - Bo on zawsze ______.
'Ma węża w kieszeni' is the most common and natural form.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMój sąsiad nigdy nie daje dzieciom cukierków, on ma ______ w kieszeni.
The verb 'mieć' requires the Accusative case. 'Węża' is the Accusative of 'wąż'.
Twoja koleżanka nie chce zapłacić za wspólną pizzę. Co powiesz?
The standard idiom is 'mieć węża w kieszeni'.
Kto ma węża w kieszeni?
The idiom describes someone who has money but refuses to spend it.
- Dlaczego on nie chce dorzucić się do paliwa? - Bo on zawsze ______.
'Ma węża w kieszeni' is the most common and natural form.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsIt depends on your relationship. With friends, it's a common joke. With a stranger or a boss, it would be very rude.
No, the idiom is fixed with 'wąż'. Using 'żmija' would sound like a mistake or a different metaphor for betrayal.
Yes! Even though 'wąż' is masculine, the phrase is universal. 'Ona ma węża w kieszeni' is perfectly correct.
Not really an idiom, but you can use 'osoba bardzo oszczędna' or 'skąpiec'.
Because a snake bites! It's a metaphor for the 'pain' a stingy person feels when losing money.
Expressions liées
dusigrosz
synonymA penny-pincher; someone who 'strangles' every coin.
skąpiec
synonymA miser.
żyć ponad stan
contrastTo live beyond one's means.
mieć gest
contrastTo be generous; to have a 'grand gesture'.
