The Top 15 Unique Slovak Idioms Explained for Learners

Slovak, like any language, is full of colourful idioms that don’t always translate directly. Learning these will not only boost your vocabulary but also give you insight into Slovak humour and culture. Here are 15 of the most unique Slovak idioms, explained for learners.

1. "Mať máslo na hlave"

Mať máslo na hlave

/maːc maːslɔ na hlave/

“To have butter on one’s head”

Meaning someone is guilty or has something to hide. The imagery comes from the idea that butter would melt and give you away if you were lying.

Example: "Prečo sa tak trieš? Ty máš máslo na hlave, čo?"

2. "Chodiť ako húsenica"

Chodiť ako húsenica

/xɔɟiːc akɔ huːsɛɲɪtsa/

“To walk like a caterpillar”

Used to describe someone who walks very slowly or lazily.

Example: "Poobede chodí ako húsenica, až ma to nervy."

3. "Byť v siedmom nebi"

Byť v siedmom nebi

/biːt f sɪɛdmɔm nɛbi/

“To be in seventh heaven”

Extremely happy or overjoyed. Similar to the English idiom, but with a Slovak twist.

Example: "Keď vyhral, bol v siedmom nebi."

4. "Hrať sa ako mačka s myšou"

Hrať sa ako mačka s myšou

/ɦraːc sa akɔ matʃka s miʃɔu/

“To play like a cat with a mouse”

To toy with someone, often cruelly or teasingly.

Example: "Prestaň sa hrať ako mačka s myšou a povedz mu pravdu!"

5. "Mať dlhé rukávy"

Mať dlhé rukávy

/maːc dlɦeː rukaːvɪ/

“To have long sleeves”

To be sneaky or dishonest, implying someone is hiding something up their sleeves.

Example: "Pozor na neho, má dlhé rukávy."

6. "Byť ako na trní"

Byť ako na trní

/biːt akɔ na trɲiː/

“To be like on thorns”

To be very nervous or anxious, as if sitting on something sharp.

Example: "Čakal na výsledky a bol ako na trní."

7. "Kopať do mŕtveho"

Kopať do mŕtveho

/kɔpaːt dɔ mr̩tvɛɦɔ/

“To kick a dead man”

To attack or criticise someone who can’t defend themselves.

Example: "Prečo na neho stále nadávaš? To je kopanie do mŕtveho."

8. "Mať gule"

Mať gule

/maːc ɡulɛ/

“To have balls”

To be brave or bold, often recklessly so.

Example: "Musíš mať gule, aby si mu to povedal."

9. "Byť ako ryba bez vody"

Byť ako ryba bez vody

/biːt akɔ rɪba bɛz vɔdɪ/

“To be like a fish out of water”

To feel completely out of place or uncomfortable in a situation.

Example: "Na tej párty som bol ako ryba bez vody."

10. "Držať niekoho za slovko"

Držať niekoho za slovko

/dr̩ʒaːc ɲɪɛkɔɦɔ za slɔvkɔ/

“To hold someone to their word”

To insist someone keeps a promise or follows through on what they said.

Example: "Sľúbil mi to, tak ho držím za slovko."

11. "Mať nos nahore"

Mať nos nahore

/maːc nɔs naɦɔrɛ/

“To have one’s nose up”

To be arrogant or snobbish.

Example: "Odvtedy, čo dostal tú prácu, má nos nahore."

12. "Byť ako vrabec v pŕhľave"

Byť ako vrabec v pŕhľave

/biːt akɔ vrabɛts v pr̩ɦʎavɛ/

“To be like a sparrow in a nettle”

To be restless or unable to sit still.

Example: "Celú hodinu bol ako vrabec v pŕhľave."

13. "Mať husiu kožu"

Mať husiu kožu

/maːc ɦusɪju kɔʒu/

“To have goose skin”

To get goosebumps, either from fear, cold, or excitement.

Example: "Ten film mi dal husiu kožu."

14. "Byť ako na potápku"

Byť ako na potápku

/biːt akɔ na pɔtaːpkʊ/

“To be like on a duck”

To be completely unfazed or indifferent to something.

Example: "Všetci sa hádali, a on bol ako na potápku."

15. "Mať všetko v jednom vreci"

Mať všetko v jednom vreci

/maːt fʃɛtkɔ v jɛdnɔm vrɛtsɪ/

“To have everything in one bag”

To be disorganised or to mix things up carelessly.

Example: "Nepýtaj sa ho, má všetko v jednom vreci."

Using these idioms will make your Slovak sound more natural and help you connect with native speakers. If you enjoyed this, check out our guide to funny Romanian idioms or Ukrainian idioms that don’t translate.