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  What it means

  Literally “there, devil, take this coat!” Means you’ve met your match, the tables have turned — said when someone who has been causing trouble finally gets what they deserve or faces a worthy opponent.

  Vocabulary

  • masz — take / here you go (imperative use of 'mieć')
  • diabeł — devil
  • kaftan — kaftan / coat

  Grammar note

  'Masz' here is used as an imperative meaning 'take this / here you go'. 'Diable' is the vocative of 'diabeł'.

  Cultural context

  From a Polish folk tale where a peasant outsmarts the devil and throws his coat at him in triumph. Used when an underdog finally turns the tables.

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