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  What it means

  Literally “a horse with its harness.” Used to challenge someone — “I’ll give a horse and harness to whoever can do X.” Means good luck with that, I’d like to see anyone manage it. The Polish equivalent of “I’ll eat my hat.”

  Vocabulary

  • koń — horse
  • rząd — harness / horse tack

  Grammar note

  'Konia z rzędem' uses the accusative — the prize being offered. The full form is 'dam konia z rzędem temu, kto...' (I'll give a horse and harness to whoever...).

  Cultural context

  A horse with full harness was once a valuable prize. The expression survives as a way of expressing extreme scepticism about something being achievable.

  Intermediate

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