Å ha bein i nesa

Meaning: To be assertive and able to stand your ground.

Language: Norwegian

Literally: To have bones in the nose

Category: Body & Senses

Origin: A nose stiffened with bone won't be pushed around — a Norwegian picture of backbone that dates back generations.

More idioms — Body & Senses

• Å snakke rett fra leveren — To speak frankly, without softening anything.
• At slå koldt vand i blodet — To calm down and keep a cool head.
• Брати ноги в руки — To hurry up and get moving quickly.
• על הפנים — Terrible, awful, in a wretched state.
• Les doigts dans le nez — To do something with the greatest of ease.
• By the skin of your teeth — By the narrowest possible margin.

More Norwegian idioms

• Helt texas — Utterly wild, chaotic or out of control.
• Å koke bort i kålen — To come to nothing; to fizzle out unresolved.
• Å være midt i smørøyet — To be in the most fortunate spot imaginable.
• Å svelge noen kameler — To make big concessions and accept what you dislike.
• Å ha en høne å plukke med noen — To have a bone to pick with someone.
• Å gjøre kål på noe — To finish something off completely.

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