IdiomAnimals
Swedish
Swedishingen ko på isen
Meaning: There is no danger or immediate problem; the situation is safe.
Literally: No cow on the ice
Example: “Vi missade tåget, men ingen ko på isen, nästa går om tio minuter.” — We missed the train, but no sweat; the next one leaves in ten minutes.
English equivalent: No sweat
Equivalents in other languages
French: Y a pas de lézard ! Literally: There's no lizard!
English: no sweat
Origin: Short for ingen ko på isen så länge rumpan är i land (no cow on the ice as long as its rump is on land), as Swedish Wiktionary explains: before barns had running water, cows were led to a lake to drink, and a cow with its hind legs still on solid ground could save itself if the ice broke. No cow on the ice means no danger and no hurry.
More Swedish idioms
- djungelns lag Survival of the fittest; a state of lawlessness where brutal competition and violence det…
- 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.
- gräva sin egen grav To cause one's own ruin or downfall through foolish actions.
Explore another collection: Untranslatable Words
Words that capture a feeling or idea English needs a whole sentence for.
Keep exploring