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  What it means

  Literally “circle and cross.” The Polish name for tic-tac-toe (noughts and crosses). Used figuratively for any pointless, going-nowhere situation — “going around in circles.”

  Vocabulary

  • kółko — small circle (diminutive of koło)
  • krzyżyk — small cross (diminutive of krzyż)

  Grammar note

  Nominative neuter + masculine noun phrase joined by 'i' (and).

  Cultural context

  Every Polish child knows this game. The figurative use captures the futility of a game that always ends in a draw when both players know what they're doing.

  Beginner

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