djungelns lag
Meaning: Survival of the fittest; a state of lawlessness where brutal competition and violence determine who succeeds.
Language: Swedish
Literally: the jungle's law
Category: Nature
Origin: The phrase evokes the jungle as a place of primal chaos where civilized rules do not apply and only strength and cunning matter—a Romantic-era image used metaphorically for unregulated human society.
More idioms — Nature
- gräva sin egen grav — To cause one's own ruin or downfall through foolish actions.
- på hal is — In a precarious or dangerous situation that one cannot control or easily escape.
- mitt på ljusan dag — In broad daylight; openly and obviously, not in secret.
- trzęsienie ziemi — A sudden, violent upheaval or catastrophic disruption in society, politics, or personal c…
- zapadać się pod ziemię — To wish to disappear from shame or mortification.
- studnia bez dna — An endless source of trouble or expense; something that consumes resources without limit…
More Swedish idioms
- reta gallfeber på — To infuriate or enrage someone intensely.
- sätta käppar i hjulet — To create obstacles or hindrances for someone or something.
- lägga vantarna på — To get hold of something; to seize or obtain.
- vända kappan efter vinden — To change one's allegiance or principles opportunistically depending on circumstances.
- inte göra en fluga förnär — To be harmless and gentle, incapable of hurting even the smallest creature.
- styv i korken — Overly self-confident and arrogant, carrying oneself with unwarranted swagger.
From our tongue twisters
- Blaukraut bleibt Blaukraut und Brautkleid bleibt Brautkleid. — A 'bl' / 'br' brain-twister.
- Trentatré trentini entrarono a Trento tutti e trentatré trotterellando. — An unbroken stampede of 'tr' and 't'.
- 東京特許許可局 (Tōkyō tokkyo kyokakyoku) — A machine-gun of 'kyo' / 'kyoku' sounds.