IdiomNature
Danish
DanishAt save den gren over man selv sidder på
Meaning: To undermine your own position.
Literally: To saw off the branch you're sitting on
Example: “Når du kritiserer din egen chef offentligt, saver du den gren over, du selv sidder på.” — Criticizing your own boss in public is sawing off the branch you're sitting on.
English equivalent: To saw off the branch one is sitting on
Origin: Sawing off the branch one is sitting on brings one down with it. The image is shared across European languages (English "saw off the branch you're sitting on," German den Ast absägen, auf dem man sitzt) and means undermining one's own position. No particular story lies behind it.
Equivalents in other languages
English: saw off the branch one is sitting on
More Danish idioms
- At trække det store læs To do the heavy lifting and carry the work.
- At træde i spinaten To put your foot in it; to blunder.
- At score kassen To make a big, easy profit.
- At slå koldt vand i blodet To calm down and keep a cool head.
- At gå agurk To go crazy or berserk.
- At have rotter på loftet To be a little crazy.
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Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Sei un tesoro You're a darling — precious to have around.
- Du bist ein Schatz You're a sweetheart.
- 目に入れても痛くない (Me ni irete mo itakunai) Said of someone you adore completely, often a child or grandchild.
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