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At save den gren over man selv sidder på

Meaning: To undermine your own position.

Language: Danish

Literally: To saw off the branch you're sitting on

Category: Nature

Origin: Cutting through the very branch that supports you brings you crashing down — a vivid image of self-sabotage.

More idioms — Nature

  • At gå over åen efter vand — To do something in a needlessly roundabout way.
  • Mennä metsään — To go completely wrong.
  • Házet flintu do žita — To give up prematurely.
  • Havadan sudan konuşmak — To make idle small talk.
  • آب از سرش گذشته — It is already too late to save the situation.
  • Sambil menyelam minum air — To accomplish two things in one go.

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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