IdiomBody & Senses
Norwegian
NorwegianÅ snakke rett fra leveren
Meaning: To speak frankly, without softening anything.
Literally: To speak straight from the liver
Example: “Bestemor snakker alltid rett fra leveren.” — Grandma never minces her words.
English equivalent: Not to mince one's words
Origin: "To speak straight from the liver": to say exactly what one thinks. Older European medicine placed the passions in the liver, and Norwegian and Danish keep the liver where English speaks of the heart. The claim that this is a particular Norse belief is not documented.
Equivalents in other languages
Spanish: No tener pelos en la lengua Literally: To have no hairs on the tongue
French: Appeler un chat un chat Literally: To call a cat a cat
Italian: Non avere peli sulla lingua Literally: To have no hairs on your tongue
Portuguese: nu e cru Literally: Naked and raw
Polish: bez owijania w bawełnę Literally: Without wrapping in cotton
English: call a spade a spade- French: Ne pas y aller par quatre chemins Literally: Not to go by four roads
- French: Ne pas mâcher ses mots Literally: Not to chew one's words
- English: not mince one's words
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.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Sei un fenomeno You're amazing — exceptionally good at what you do.
- Eres la leche You're the best — absolutely fantastic.
- Eline sağlık Praise and thanks to someone — especially a cook — for something made beautifully by hand.
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