Signification
To deceive someone.
Contexte culturel
In Poland, being 'zrobionym w balona' is often discussed with a specific type of self-deprecating humor known as 'wisielczy humor' (gallows humor) if the scam was particularly clever. In the Warsaw dialect (gwara warszawska), this phrase was historically part of a larger set of 'cunning' expressions used by street vendors and traders. Modern Polish netizens use this phrase to describe 'clickbait' or misleading thumbnails on YouTube. While informal, it's often used by small business owners to describe being cheated by larger corporations or 'the system'.
Use with 'dać się'
Use 'dać się zrobić w balona' to say 'to let oneself be tricked'. It's very common in warnings.
Not for serious crimes
If you are at a police station, use 'zostałem oszukany' instead of this slang.
Signification
To deceive someone.
Use with 'dać się'
Use 'dać się zrobić w balona' to say 'to let oneself be tricked'. It's very common in warnings.
Not for serious crimes
If you are at a police station, use 'zostałem oszukany' instead of this slang.
Perfective vs Imperfective
Use 'zrobić' for the result (I was tricked) and 'robić' for the ongoing action (He is tricking me).
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Nie wierzę mu, on na pewno chce nas zrobić w _______.
The idiom always uses the form 'balona'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Choose the correct sentence:
The idiom implies a negative deception or trick.
Complete the dialogue with the appropriate form of the idiom.
A: Ten bilet kosztował 200 zł, a pociąg w ogóle nie przyjechał! B: Ojej, wygląda na to, że ktoś cię _______.
The past tense 'zrobił' is needed because the event already happened.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Match: 'Kupiłeś telefon, który nie działa.'
All these idioms mean you were tricked or cheated.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesNie wierzę mu, on na pewno chce nas zrobić w _______.
The idiom always uses the form 'balona'.
Choose the correct sentence:
The idiom implies a negative deception or trick.
A: Ten bilet kosztował 200 zł, a pociąg w ogóle nie przyjechał! B: Ojej, wygląda na to, że ktoś cię _______.
The past tense 'zrobił' is needed because the event already happened.
Match: 'Kupiłeś telefon, który nie działa.'
All these idioms mean you were tricked or cheated.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's not rude or vulgar, but it is very informal. You can use it with friends and family, but avoid it in formal writing.
Yes, it's perfect for April Fools' Day or lighthearted pranks between friends.
They are almost identical. 'W konia' is slightly more common in some regions and can feel a tiny bit more aggressive.
In Polish, many masculine inanimate nouns take the -a ending in the Accusative when used in idioms or to denote specific objects (like 'palić papierosa').
No, the object must be a person (kogoś). You can't trick an object.
Yes, 'wprowadzić kogoś w błąd' (to lead someone into error) or 'oszukać kogoś' (to deceive someone).
You say 'Zostałem zrobiony w balona' or simply 'Zrobili mnie w balona'.
Not necessarily. It can be about money, but it can also be about a lie or a broken promise.
Only in very casual conversations between colleagues, never in official documents.
No, it has been around for at least 100 years.
Expressions liées
nabić kogoś w butelkę
synonymTo trick someone.
robić kogoś w konia
synonymTo trick someone.
wkręcać kogoś
similarTo prank or tease someone with a lie.
wystawić kogoś do wiatru
relatedTo stand someone up.
