na krzywy ryj

Polish

Etymology

Literally, “on [an] ugly face”. From prison slang, popularized by the 1997 album Na krzywy ryj by the band Elektryczne Gitary.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /na.ˈkʂɨ.vɨ ˈrɨj/

• Audio

  (file)

Adverb

na krzywy ryj (not comparable)

1. (colloquial, derogatory, idiomatic) without prior permission, uninvited

   – Masz zaproszenie? – Nie, ale wbijemy się na krzywy ryj. ― – Do you have an invitation? – No, but we're going to crash it.

2. (colloquial, derogatory, idiomatic) not fully legal
3. (colloquial, derogatory, idiomatic) without adequate preparation

Further reading

• na krzywy ryj in Wielki słownik języka polskiego, Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN
• na krzywy ryj in Polish dictionaries at PWN