# Polish parliament

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/polish-parliament
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A deliberative but indecisive institution.

## Examples

- Our team meetings often feel like a Polish parliament.
- This project group is a Polish parliament because nobody can agree on the first step.
- The committee spent three hours arguing without reaching a single decision, turning the meeting into a total Polish parliament.
- The family dinner became a Polish parliament when everyone suggested a different vacation spot but refused to vote on a final choice.
- The legislative session devolved into a chaotic Polish parliament, characterized by endless procedural disputes that effectively paralyzed any meaningful progress on the proposed reforms.

## Origin

The idiom derives from the legislative procedures of the Sejm, wherein the early governing rules granted an absolute veto to every nobleman held to be a member. This requirement for total unanimity ensured that a single dissenting voice could dissolve a session and nullify any legislation previously passed, a parliamentary structure that favoured total paralysis over the inconvenience of compromise.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.