Meaning
To escape quickly.
Cultural Background
The idiom reflects the 'Sarmatian' culture of the 17th century, where clothing was a sign of status but often impractical for combat or flight. The phrase is frequently used in children's literature and animation to describe the antics of mischievous characters. Commentators use it to describe a player who is sprinting to catch up with an opponent or to reach a ball. Used in memes to describe 'ghosting' or leaving a group chat when things get awkward.
Use the Perfective
90% of the time, you'll use 'wziąć' (perfective) because you're describing a completed escape.
Don't use for cars
This idiom is only for living things (people, animals). For a car, just say 'odjechał szybko'.
Meaning
To escape quickly.
Use the Perfective
90% of the time, you'll use 'wziąć' (perfective) because you're describing a completed escape.
Don't use for cars
This idiom is only for living things (people, animals). For a car, just say 'odjechał szybko'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word in the past tense (masculine).
Złodziej zobaczył policjanta i ______ nogi za pas.
We use the perfective past tense 'wziął' because the action of escaping was completed.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Select the natural Polish sentence:
The idiom is fixed: it must be 'nogi' (legs) and 'pas' (belt).
Complete the dialogue.
A: Czy widziałeś Marka? B: Tak, gdy tylko usłyszał o sprzątaniu, ______.
This is the standard way to describe someone avoiding work by leaving.
Match the situation to the idiom usage.
You see a bear in the woods. What do you do?
This is the correct active form of the idiom for escaping.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesZłodziej zobaczył policjanta i ______ nogi za pas.
We use the perfective past tense 'wziął' because the action of escaping was completed.
Select the natural Polish sentence:
The idiom is fixed: it must be 'nogi' (legs) and 'pas' (belt).
A: Czy widziałeś Marka? B: Tak, gdy tylko usłyszał o sprzątaniu, ______.
This is the standard way to describe someone avoiding work by leaving.
You see a bear in the woods. What do you do?
This is the correct active form of the idiom for escaping.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's not rude, but it is very informal. You can use it with friends, family, and close colleagues.
Yes! 'Jak go zobaczę, wezmę nogi za pas' (When I see him, I'll bolt).
Usually, but it can also just mean you are in a huge hurry or avoiding something boring.
'Brać' is the process (I am running), 'wziąć' is the completed act (I ran away).
No, 'pas' is a fixed part of the idiom. Changing it to 'paski' (small belts) sounds wrong.
The formal equivalent would be 'salwować się ucieczką' (to save oneself by flight).
Yes, it's very common to use it for pets running away.
Only metaphorically, like 'investors fleeing the market'.
It means 'belt', but in Polish, 'pas' can also mean 'waistline'. Both meanings work visually.
Not at all! It's used every day by people of all ages.
Related Phrases
Dawać nogę
synonymTo bolt or sneak away.
Uciekać gdzie pieprz rośnie
similarTo run far away to a remote place.
Zmykać
similarTo scurry away.
Wziąć się w garść
contrastTo pull oneself together.
