A2 Idiom अनौपचारिक

Mať guľu na nohe

Having a ball on the leg

मतलब

To be burdened by something.

🌍

सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि

In Slovak folklore, the figure of the 'zbojník' (outlaw like Jánošík) is often contrasted with the image of the prisoner in chains. To have a 'guľa na nohe' is the ultimate opposite of the freedom of the mountains. The shared history of the Austro-Hungarian Empire means this idiom is found in Czech, Hungarian, and Polish with very similar imagery, reflecting a shared legal and penal history. Slovaks often use this idiom to complain about 'byrokracia' (bureaucracy). It reflects a common frustration with slow state systems. Sometimes at weddings, a heavy log or a chain is jokingly attached to the groom to represent his 'loss of freedom,' though this is becoming less common in modern urban weddings.

💡

Use it for emphasis

Use this phrase when you want to sound more like a native speaker when complaining. It shows you understand Slovak imagery.

⚠️

Don't be too mean

Calling a person a 'guľa na nohe' is strong. Only use it with very close friends as a joke or when you are truly frustrated.

मतलब

To be burdened by something.

💡

Use it for emphasis

Use this phrase when you want to sound more like a native speaker when complaining. It shows you understand Slovak imagery.

⚠️

Don't be too mean

Calling a person a 'guľa na nohe' is strong. Only use it with very close friends as a joke or when you are truly frustrated.

🎯

Combine with 'vliecť'

Instead of 'mať' (to have), use 'vliecť' (to drag) to sound even more dramatic: 'Vlečiem túto guľu na nohe už roky.'

खुद को परखो

Fill in the correct form of the idiom.

Ten starý počítač je pre mňa v práci skutočná _______ ___ _______.

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: guľa na nohe

The standard form uses 'guľa' and the preposition 'na'.

Which sentence uses the idiom correctly to describe a person?

Select the correct sentence:

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Môj brat je guľa na nohe, lebo kvôli nemu vždy meškáme.

The idiom describes someone who slows you down or is a burden.

Complete the dialogue.

A: Chceš ísť so mnou na túru? B: Radšej nie, som po chorobe a bol by som ti len...

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: guľou na nohe

In this context, the speaker is worried about slowing the other person down.

Match the situation to the meaning of the idiom.

Situation: 'Firma má veľa starých dlhov.'

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Dlhy sú pre firmu guľou na nohe.

Financial burdens are a classic use case for this idiom.

🎉 स्कोर: /4

विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स

अभ्यास बैंक

4 अभ्यास
Fill in the correct form of the idiom. Fill Blank A2

Ten starý počítač je pre mňa v práci skutočná _______ ___ _______.

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: guľa na nohe

The standard form uses 'guľa' and the preposition 'na'.

Which sentence uses the idiom correctly to describe a person? Choose A2

Select the correct sentence:

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Môj brat je guľa na nohe, lebo kvôli nemu vždy meškáme.

The idiom describes someone who slows you down or is a burden.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion B1

A: Chceš ísť so mnou na túru? B: Radšej nie, som po chorobe a bol by som ti len...

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: guľou na nohe

In this context, the speaker is worried about slowing the other person down.

Match the situation to the meaning of the idiom. situation_matching A2

Situation: 'Firma má veľa starých dlhov.'

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Dlhy sú pre firmu guľou na nohe.

Financial burdens are a classic use case for this idiom.

🎉 स्कोर: /4

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल

5 सवाल

It is common in journalism and opinion pieces, but avoid it in strictly legal or academic documents.

No, the idiom is strictly singular: 'na nohe'.

It can be if you are calling a person a burden. Use it carefully.

The closest equivalent is 'a ball and chain' or 'a drag'.

No, it is almost exclusively negative.

संबंधित मुहावरे

🔗

mať niekoho na krku

similar

To have someone as a responsibility.

🔄

byť brzdou

synonym

To be a brake/to slow things down.

🔗

kameň na srdci

contrast

A stone on the heart (guilt/worry).

🔗

rozviazať niekomu ruky

contrast

To untie someone's hands.

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