A2 Idiom 비격식체

zrobić komuś koło pióra

to make trouble for someone

Causing harm to someone behind their back.

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문화적 배경

In Polish corporate culture, 'robić koło pióra' is often discussed in the context of 'wyścig szczurów' (the rat race). It reflects a high level of competitiveness in some sectors. The concept of 'honor' (honor) is historically vital. Sabotaging someone's 'honor' was once grounds for a duel. Today, it's grounds for a HR complaint. Poles use this phrase frequently on platforms like X (Twitter) to describe political maneuvering and 'cancel culture' attempts. In Polish universities, the phrase is sometimes used to describe the cutthroat nature of obtaining grants or titles.

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Use the Dative!

Always remember to use 'mi', 'ci', 'mu', 'jej' etc. Using 'mnie' or 'ciebie' sounds wrong here.

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Informal Only

Never use this in a formal meeting with your boss unless you have a very close relationship.

Causing harm to someone behind their back.

💡

Use the Dative!

Always remember to use 'mi', 'ci', 'mu', 'jej' etc. Using 'mnie' or 'ciebie' sounds wrong here.

⚠️

Informal Only

Never use this in a formal meeting with your boss unless you have a very close relationship.

🎯

The 'U' Preposition

To say WHO they talked to, use 'u' + person in Genitive. E.g., 'u szefa', 'u mamy'.

셀프 테스트

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the person (Dative case).

Marek jest zazdrosny i chce ______ (ja) zrobić koło pióra.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: mi

The idiom requires the Dative case. 'Mi' is the short Dative form of 'ja'.

Which situation best fits the idiom 'zrobić komuś koło pióra'?

A) Helping a friend with their homework. B) Telling the boss a lie about a colleague to get their job. C) Buying a gift for a teacher.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: B

The idiom means to secretly harm someone's reputation or position.

Complete the dialogue.

Kasia: 'Słyszałeś? Adam stracił pracę.' Tomek: 'Tak, podobno ktoś mu ______.'

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: zrobił koło pióra

The correct form is 'zrobić' (past tense 'zrobił') + 'koło pióra' (Genitive).

Match the phrase to the intent.

Match 'zrobić koło pióra' with its goal.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: To sabotage

The idiom is used when the intent is to harm someone's standing.

🎉 점수: /4

시각 학습 자료

연습 문제 은행

4 연습 문제
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the person (Dative case). Fill Blank A2

Marek jest zazdrosny i chce ______ (ja) zrobić koło pióra.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: mi

The idiom requires the Dative case. 'Mi' is the short Dative form of 'ja'.

Which situation best fits the idiom 'zrobić komuś koło pióra'? Choose A2

A) Helping a friend with their homework. B) Telling the boss a lie about a colleague to get their job. C) Buying a gift for a teacher.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: B

The idiom means to secretly harm someone's reputation or position.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion B1

Kasia: 'Słyszałeś? Adam stracił pracę.' Tomek: 'Tak, podobno ktoś mu ______.'

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: zrobił koło pióra

The correct form is 'zrobić' (past tense 'zrobił') + 'koło pióra' (Genitive).

Match the phrase to the intent. situation_matching A2

Match 'zrobić koło pióra' with its goal.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: To sabotage

The idiom is used when the intent is to harm someone's standing.

🎉 점수: /4

자주 묻는 질문

5 질문

No, while the words suggest it, the idiom is 100% figurative today. It always refers to social or professional harm.

It's informal and negative, but not a swear word. It's safe to use with friends.

Absolutely not. It always implies harm or sabotage.

'Robić' is for an ongoing process of sabotage, 'zrobić' is for a completed act.

Yes, if you accidentally sabotaged your own reputation: 'Sam sobie zrobiłem koło pióra'.

관련 표현

🔗

podłożyć komuś świnię

similar

To play a dirty trick on someone.

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szyć komuś buty

synonym

To plot against someone.

🔗

obrobić komuś tyłek

similar

To gossip about someone.

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kopć pod kimś dołki

similar

To undermine someone.

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