IdiomFood & Drink
Norwegian
NorwegianÅ koke bort i kålen
Meaning: To come to nothing; to fizzle out unresolved.
Literally: To boil away in the cabbage
Example: “Planene om ny svømmehall kokte bort i kålen.” — The plans for a new swimming pool petered out.
English equivalent: To peter out
Origin: Something left to boil in the cabbage pot too long dissolves until nothing is left. Å koke bort i kålen is said of plans, debates or projects that come to nothing. No particular story lies behind it.
Equivalents in other languages
English: peter out
More Norwegian idioms
- 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.
- Å være på pinebenken To be in anxious suspense.
- Å være ute og sykle To be completely mistaken or to have no idea what you're talking about.
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