IdiomThe Absurd
Swedish
Swedishen koloss på lerfötter
Meaning: Something that appears powerful and impressive but rests on a fundamentally weak foundation and will collapse easily.
Literally: A colossus on clay feet
Example: “Företaget visade sig vara en koloss på lerfötter.” — The company turned out to be a giant with feet of clay.
English equivalent: Feet of clay
Equivalents in other languages
English: feet of clay
Origin: From the Bible, Daniel 2: King Nebuchadnezzar dreams of a huge statue of gold, silver, bronze and iron standing on feet of iron mixed with clay; a stone strikes the feet and the whole statue crumbles. A colossus on feet of clay is anything mighty-looking with a fatal weakness at its base.
More Swedish idioms
- sätta till alla klutar To make a maximum effort or remove all restraints in pursuit of something.
- falla till föga To surrender one's position or resistance; to give in.
- inte spotta i glaset To willingly accept and consume alcohol when offered; to enjoy drinking.
- het på gröten Overly eager or impatient, wanting something too urgently.
- kratta manegen To prepare the ground or circumstances to make it easier for someone to accomplish a task.
- kasta pärlor för svin To offer something valuable to someone who cannot appreciate or will waste it.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Eres la leche You're the best — absolutely fantastic.
- Eline sağlık Praise and thanks to someone — especially a cook — for something made beautifully by hand.
- És uma joia You're a gem — a precious, lovely person.
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