Å være på pinebenken

Meaning: To be in anxious suspense.

Language: Norwegian

Literally: To be on the torture bench

Category: Daily Life

Origin: From the medieval rack; waiting in agony for an outcome pictures unbearable tension.

More idioms — Daily Life

• At score kassen — To make a big, easy profit.
• Lyödä rahoiksi — To cash in; to profit handsomely.
• Přijít s křížkem po funuse — To arrive uselessly too late.
• Nem enged a negyvennyolcból — To stubbornly refuse to compromise.
• Pole pole ndio mwendo — Slow and steady gets you there.
• Sortir de ses gonds — To fly into a rage; to lose one's temper suddenly and violently.

More Norwegian idioms

• Å være ute og sykle — To be completely mistaken or to have no idea what you're talking about.
• Å ha bein i nesa — To be assertive and able to stand your ground.
• Å snakke rett fra leveren — To speak frankly, without softening anything.
• 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.

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