IdiomBody & Senses
Swedish
Swedishha luktat krutrök
Meaning: To be experienced in battle or conflict; to have been tested under fire.
Literally: Have smelled gunpowder
Example: “Den nya tränaren har luktat krutrök i många finaler.” — The new coach has been through the fire of many finals.
Origin: Gunpowder smoke hangs over every battlefield of the musket and cannon age, so someone who has smelled it has been under fire. Ha luktat krutrök is having real experience of combat, or of any hard fight. No first use is documented.
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