IdiomAnimals
Swedish
SwedishAna ugglor i mossen
Meaning: To sense that something fishy is going on.
Literally: To suspect owls in the bog
Example: “När chefen plötsligt bjöd på lunch anade vi ugglor i mossen.” — When the boss suddenly bought us lunch, we felt something fishy was going on.
English equivalent: Something fishy is going on
Origin: Swedish Wiktionary traces it to Danish der er ulve i mosen (there are wolves in the bog), said when danger was afoot. When wolves had disappeared from Denmark, the owl took their place as the sign of a threat, and both Danish and Swedish now say owls. To suspect owls in the bog is to sense that something is wrong.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Il y a anguille sous roche Literally: There is an eel under the rock
Hindi: दाल में कुछ काला है (daal mein kuchh kaalaa hai) Literally: There is something black in the lentils
Malay: Ada udang di sebalik batu Literally: There's a shrimp behind the rock
English: something fishy is going on
More Swedish idioms
- Lägga rabarber på något To claim or grab something for yourself.
- Nu har du satt din sista potatis You've done your last misdeed; you're finished.
- Att göra en pudel To make a public, groveling apology.
- Att ha tummen mitt i handen To be hopelessly clumsy; all thumbs.
- Nu är det kokta fläsket stekt Now we're really in trouble.
- Att kasta yxan i sjön To give up completely.
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