Signification
To run away quickly.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is deeply embedded in Ukrainian literature, from classic authors like Kotlyarevsky to modern bloggers. It reflects a lighthearted, self-deprecating humor about avoiding trouble. In rural Ukraine, 'nodding heels' was a visual reality on unpaved roads where running created a specific rhythmic dust pattern. Today, it's used metaphorically for 'ghosting' or leaving digital spaces quickly when things get heated. Cossack scouts were known for their speed and agility; while they were brave, 'strategic retreats' were often described with such colorful idioms.
Use it for humor
This phrase is great for making your friends laugh when you describe someone leaving in a hurry.
Watch the case
Always use 'п'ятами'. Using 'п'яти' is a very common mistake for beginners.
Signification
To run away quickly.
Use it for humor
This phrase is great for making your friends laugh when you describe someone leaving in a hurry.
Watch the case
Always use 'п'ятами'. Using 'п'яти' is a very common mistake for beginners.
Past tense is king
You will hear 'накивав п'ятами' (past tense) 90% of the time. Focus on mastering that form first.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word in the correct case.
Коли прийшов час прибирати, Максим накивав ______.
The idiom 'накивати п'ятами' always uses the instrumental case plural.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'накивати п'ятами'?
Оберіть правильну ситуацію:
The idiom means to run away quickly, especially to avoid something.
Match the Ukrainian phrase with its English equivalent.
З'єднайте пари:
All these phrases relate to speed and running, but 'накивати п'ятами' is the most direct equivalent to 'take to one's heels'.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the idiom.
- Де твій брат? - Він побачив, що треба мити машину, і одразу ...
The subject 'брат' is masculine singular, so the verb must be 'накивав'.
Match the idiom to the correct register.
Який регістр для 'накивати п'ятами'?
This is a colloquial/informal idiom used in everyday speech.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesКоли прийшов час прибирати, Максим накивав ______.
The idiom 'накивати п'ятами' always uses the instrumental case plural.
Оберіть правильну ситуацію:
The idiom means to run away quickly, especially to avoid something.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
All these phrases relate to speed and running, but 'накивати п'ятами' is the most direct equivalent to 'take to one's heels'.
- Де твій брат? - Він побачив, що треба мити машину, і одразу ...
The subject 'брат' is masculine singular, so the verb must be 'накивав'.
Який регістр для 'накивати п'ятами'?
This is a colloquial/informal idiom used in everyday speech.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's not rude, but it is very informal. It's like saying 'he bolted' in English.
Yes! 'Я накивав п'ятами' is a common way to say you left quickly.
Not always. It can also mean leaving a boring situation or avoiding a chore.
It literally means 'to nod' or 'to beckon by moving'.
The formal version would be 'швидко піти' or 'втекти'.
Definitely not. It's too casual for a professional setting.
Because when you run fast, your heels are the most visible part to the person behind you.
Yes, it is a standard idiom understood across all regions of Ukraine.
No, that doesn't mean anything in this context. The idiom is fixed to 'heels'.
It means you pronounce the 'p' and 'ya' separately and sharply, like 'p-ya'.
Expressions liées
Дати драла
synonymTo run away very fast.
Взяти ноги в руки
similarTo start moving very quickly.
Тільки п'яти замиготіли
builds onOnly the heels flickered.
П'ята Ахіллеса
contrastAchilles' heel (a weakness).
