Meaning
To escape or leave quickly.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'spryt' (resourcefulness/cunning) is highly valued. 'Danie nogi' is often seen as a smart move rather than a cowardly one if the situation is unfair. In Warsaw slang, 'dać nogę' was historically associated with the 'cwaniochy' (street-smart guys) who could evade the authorities. Modern teenagers use it to describe leaving group chats or avoiding online interactions they find cringe-worthy. Many cult Polish comedies from the 90s use this phrase to highlight the absurdity of criminal escapes.
Singular only
Always keep 'noga' in the singular accusative form: 'nogę'. Never 'nogi'.
Register check
Don't use this with your boss or in a police station unless you are being intentionally funny or informal.
Meaning
To escape or leave quickly.
Singular only
Always keep 'noga' in the singular accusative form: 'nogę'. Never 'nogi'.
Register check
Don't use this with your boss or in a police station unless you are being intentionally funny or informal.
Perfective vs Imperfective
Use 'dać nogę' for the act of escaping, and 'dawać nogę' to describe the habit of running away from problems.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the idiom 'dać nogę'.
Gdy tylko zobaczyłem mojego szefa w centrum handlowym, od razu ________ ________.
The sentence is in the past tense ('zobaczyłem'), so 'dałem nogę' is the correct first-person singular past form.
Which situation is appropriate for using 'dać nogę'?
W której sytuacji użyjesz tego zwrotu?
'Dać nogę' is informal slang and should only be used in casual conversations.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural phrase.
A: Czy widziałeś Marka? B: Tak, ale gdy tylko dowiedział się o sprzątaniu, ________.
'Dał nogę' fits the context of escaping a chore.
Match the idiom to the synonym.
Match 'dać nogę' with its closest synonym.
'Dać dyla' is a direct synonym for 'dać nogę'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesGdy tylko zobaczyłem mojego szefa w centrum handlowym, od razu ________ ________.
The sentence is in the past tense ('zobaczyłem'), so 'dałem nogę' is the correct first-person singular past form.
W której sytuacji użyjesz tego zwrotu?
'Dać nogę' is informal slang and should only be used in casual conversations.
A: Czy widziałeś Marka? B: Tak, ale gdy tylko dowiedział się o sprzątaniu, ________.
'Dał nogę' fits the context of escaping a chore.
Match 'dać nogę' with its closest synonym.
'Dać dyla' is a direct synonym for 'dać nogę'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt's not inherently rude, but it is very informal. Using it about someone might imply they are a bit of a coward or irresponsible.
Yes! It's very common to say a dog or cat 'dał nogę' when they run away from home or a bath.
'Uciec' is neutral and formal. 'Dać nogę' is colorful, slangy, and more descriptive of a quick, sudden move.
No, that sounds strange. You usually 'dajesz nogę' *from* somewhere (z imprezy) or simply 'dajesz nogę' (escape).
Only in very casual office banter between close colleagues. Never in meetings.
Often, yes. It suggests you are running away because you don't want to be caught or deal with something.
Yes, 'dawał nogę', but it's rare. It would mean he was in the process of escaping or used to escape often.
In fiction, blogs, or text messages, yes. In academic or formal writing, no.
Yes, although they might prefer even shorter slang like 'zrywam się', 'dać nogę' is a classic that everyone understands.
No, that would be confusing. For exercise, use 'iść biegać'.
Related Phrases
dać dyla
synonymTo bolt/escape.
wziąć nogi za pas
similarTo run away very fast.
zmyć się
similarTo disappear/leave quietly.
ulotnić się
similarTo vanish into thin air.
