Signification
To create obstacles for someone.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is deeply linked to the 'Pani z okienka' (the lady at the window) culture in Polish bureaucracy, where officials are often seen as gatekeepers who enjoy their small power. In Polish corporate environments, 'robić pod górkę' is a common way to describe 'mobbing' or toxic competition without using overly clinical language. Students often use this to describe professors who set extremely difficult exams or change requirements at the last minute. On Polish Twitter (X), you will often see people complaining about 'systemowe robienie pod górkę' regarding taxes or new laws.
Use the Diminutive
Always use 'górkę' instead of 'górę' to sound like a native. It adds that necessary touch of colloquial frustration.
Dative Case is Key
Don't forget the 'mi', 'ci', 'mu'. Without the person in the dative, the sentence feels incomplete.
Signification
To create obstacles for someone.
Use the Diminutive
Always use 'górkę' instead of 'górę' to sound like a native. It adds that necessary touch of colloquial frustration.
Dative Case is Key
Don't forget the 'mi', 'ci', 'mu'. Without the person in the dative, the sentence feels incomplete.
Venting Tool
This is a great phrase for 'narzekanie' (complaining), which is a common social bonding activity in Poland.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the pronoun (Dative case).
Mój szef zawsze robi ___ (ja) pod górkę.
The idiom 'robić pod górkę' requires the Dative case. 'Mi' is the short dative form of 'ja'.
Which situation best describes 'robić pod górkę'?
Która sytuacja pasuje do idiomu?
The idiom refers to intentional, unnecessary obstacles created by others.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: Dlaczego jesteś taka zła? B: Bo ta nowa koleżanka z biura znowu ______.
In this context, the colleague is actively causing problems, so we use 'robi mi'.
Match the idiom with its synonym.
Połącz idiom z synonimem.
All these pairs are correct synonyms or related meanings.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMój szef zawsze robi ___ (ja) pod górkę.
The idiom 'robić pod górkę' requires the Dative case. 'Mi' is the short dative form of 'ja'.
Która sytuacja pasuje do idiomu?
The idiom refers to intentional, unnecessary obstacles created by others.
A: Dlaczego jesteś taka zła? B: Bo ta nowa koleżanka z biura znowu ______.
In this context, the colleague is actively causing problems, so we use 'robi mi'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
All these pairs are correct synonyms or related meanings.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsIt's not vulgar, but it is accusatory. Use it when you are genuinely frustrated, but maybe not to the face of the person doing it unless you want a confrontation.
No, it's for people or systems. If your car breaks down, it's not 'robi ci pod górkę', it's just 'złośliwość rzeczy martwych'.
'Robić' implies a continuous habit of being difficult. 'Zrobić' refers to one specific instance of sabotage.
You can, and people will understand, but it sounds more literal and less like the common idiom.
Yes, very often to describe unfair competition or difficult managers.
Expressions liées
rzucać kłody pod nogi
synonymTo throw logs under someone's feet.
mieć pod górkę
similarTo have an uphill struggle.
iść jak z płatka
contrastTo go like a petal (to go smoothly).
kłaść kłody
synonymTo lay logs.
