IdiomFood & Drink
Norwegian
NorwegianÅ være midt i smørøyet
Meaning: To be in the most fortunate spot imaginable.
Literally: To be in the middle of the butter-eye
Example: “Med hytte ved sjøen og fri hele sommeren er vi midt i smørøyet.” — With a cabin by the sea and the whole summer off, we're sitting pretty.
English equivalent: Sitting pretty
Equivalents in other languages
Irish: Tá sé ar muin na muice Literally: He's on the pig's back
English: sitting pretty
Origin: The smørøye (butter eye) is the pat of butter melting in the middle of a bowl of porridge, the best part of the dish. Being in the middle of the butter eye is being in the best possible spot. No first use is documented.
More Norwegian idioms
- 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.
- Å ha bein i nesa To be assertive and able to stand your ground.
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