Signification
Tricking or cheating someone.
Contexte culturel
The horse is a symbol of nobility and history in Poland (think of the famous Polish Hussars). Tricking someone using a horse metaphor is particularly poignant because it turns a symbol of pride into a symbol of foolishness. Even today, open-air markets (targowiska) are common in Poland. The phrase is frequently used when bargaining or discussing the quality of products bought at such places. In the era of social media, 'zrobić w konia' is often used to describe 'clickbait' or fake news that leads users to a different site than promised. There is a Polish saying 'Mądry Polak po szkodzie' (A Pole is wise after the damage is done). 'Zrobić w konia' is the phrase used to describe that 'szkoda' (damage/trick).
Use with Pronouns
Practice with all pronouns: mnie, cię, go, ją, nas, was, ich. This is the best way to master the Accusative case.
Not for Formal Complaints
If you are writing an official letter to a company, use 'złożyć reklamację' or 'zostać oszukanym' instead.
Signification
Tricking or cheating someone.
Use with Pronouns
Practice with all pronouns: mnie, cię, go, ją, nas, was, ich. This is the best way to master the Accusative case.
Not for Formal Complaints
If you are writing an official letter to a company, use 'złożyć reklamację' or 'zostać oszukanym' instead.
The Passive Voice
Saying 'Czuję się zrobiony w konia' (I feel tricked) is a very natural way to express disappointment.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word in the correct form.
Nie wierzę mu, on zawsze robi mnie w _______.
The idiom requires the Accusative case 'konia'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly to mean 'They tricked us'?
Wybierz poprawne zdanie:
'Nas' is the Accusative form of 'my' (we).
Complete the dialogue with the appropriate phrase.
A: Kupiłem ten samochód za 500 zł! B: Co? To niemożliwe. Chyba sprzedawca _______.
This is the standard form of the idiom in the past tense for 'you'.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Kiedy powiesz 'Zrobili mnie w konia'?
The idiom is used for broken promises and small deceptions.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesNie wierzę mu, on zawsze robi mnie w _______.
The idiom requires the Accusative case 'konia'.
Wybierz poprawne zdanie:
'Nas' is the Accusative form of 'my' (we).
A: Kupiłem ten samochód za 500 zł! B: Co? To niemożliwe. Chyba sprzedawca _______.
This is the standard form of the idiom in the past tense for 'you'.
Kiedy powiesz 'Zrobili mnie w konia'?
The idiom is used for broken promises and small deceptions.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt's not exactly rude, but it's very informal. It's better to use it with people you know or when speaking generally about a situation.
No, the idiom is fixed with 'koń' (horse). Changing the animal will make the sentence nonsensical.
'Zrobić' is for a completed action (He tricked me), while 'robić' is for an ongoing action or a general habit (He is tricking me/He always tricks people).
Yes, it is a universal Polish idiom understood and used throughout the country.
It's better to use 'oszukać' for serious crimes. 'Zrobić w konia' has a slightly lighter, more colloquial tone.
The preposition 'w' followed by the Accusative case indicates a transformation into something, which is the logic behind this idiom.
Not really, but you can use the verb 'wykiwać' as a one-word alternative.
While the concept is similar, the Polish idiom is more likely rooted in local horse trading history.
Only if you are describing a past situation in a very casual way, but generally, it's too informal for an interview.
You say 'Zostałem zrobiony w konia' (for men) or 'Zostałam zrobiona w konia' (for women).
Expressions liées
nabić kogoś w butelkę
synonymTo trick someone (literally: to stuff someone in a bottle).
wystawić kogoś do wiatru
similarTo stand someone up or let them down.
mydlić komuś oczy
similarTo deceive someone by distracting them or lying.
wykiwać kogoś
synonymTo outsmart or trick someone.
