Significado
To be guilty of something.
Contexto cultural
In Poland, this phrase is often used with a shrug of the shoulders, reflecting a national trait of 'limited trust' towards public figures. In office culture, 'mieć za uszami' is a common way to warn a new employee about a difficult or untrustworthy manager without being too explicit. Tabloids like 'Fakt' or 'Super Express' frequently use this idiom in headlines to tease scandals involving celebrities. During the PRL (communist) era, many people had to 'kombinować' (scheme) to survive, leading to a widespread feeling that everyone 'had something behind their ears'.
Use with 'sporo'
If you want to sound more like a native, use 'sporo' (a lot) instead of just 'swoje'. It adds a nice dramatic touch to your gossip.
Don't use for serious crimes
Remember, this is for 'shady' things or 'misdeeds'. Don't use it for someone who committed a violent crime; it sounds too light.
Significado
To be guilty of something.
Use with 'sporo'
If you want to sound more like a native, use 'sporo' (a lot) instead of just 'swoje'. It adds a nice dramatic touch to your gossip.
Don't use for serious crimes
Remember, this is for 'shady' things or 'misdeeds'. Don't use it for someone who committed a violent crime; it sounds too light.
The 'Nobody's Perfect' Rule
Poles often use this to level the playing field during an argument. If someone criticizes you, you can remind them that they also 'mają swoje za uszami'.
Teste-se
Fill in the missing words in the idiom.
Marek udaje niewiniątko, ale wszyscy wiemy, że ma swoje ___ _______.
The correct preposition is 'za' and the noun is 'uszami' (instrumental plural).
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly to mean 'He has a shady past'?
Wybierz poprawne zdanie:
The second option is the standard idiomatic expression for having a shady past.
Complete the dialogue with the appropriate form of the idiom.
A: Czy ten nowy polityk jest uczciwy? B: Nie sądzę, słyszałem, że ___ _____ __ ______.
We need the 3rd person singular 'ma' to match 'ten nowy polityk'.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Kiedy powiesz: 'On ma sporo za uszami'?
The idiom refers to hidden moral failings, not physical dirt or intelligence.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosMarek udaje niewiniątko, ale wszyscy wiemy, że ma swoje ___ _______.
The correct preposition is 'za' and the noun is 'uszami' (instrumental plural).
Wybierz poprawne zdanie:
The second option is the standard idiomatic expression for having a shady past.
A: Czy ten nowy polityk jest uczciwy? B: Nie sądzę, słyszałem, że ___ _____ __ ______.
We need the 3rd person singular 'ma' to match 'ten nowy polityk'.
Kiedy powiesz: 'On ma sporo za uszami'?
The idiom refers to hidden moral failings, not physical dirt or intelligence.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
4 perguntasIt's not vulgar, but it is critical. It's like saying someone is 'shady'. Use it with friends, but be careful using it about someone in their presence.
Yes, usually in a joking way: 'Też mam swoje za uszami, nie jestem aniołem' (I also have my faults, I'm no angel).
'Swoje' implies a specific set of personal faults, while 'coś' is more general. They are mostly interchangeable.
Yes, very similar. However, 'skeletons' often implies one big secret, while 'za uszami' can mean a general history of being a bit dishonest.
Frases relacionadas
mieć czyste sumienie
contrastTo have a clean conscience.
mieć coś na sumieniu
synonymTo have something on one's conscience.
wyciągać brudy
builds onTo bring up old dirt/scandals.
nie być świętym
similarTo not be a saint.
