
IdiomAnimals
Swedish
inte göra en fluga förnär
Meaning: To be harmless and gentle, incapable of hurting even the smallest creature.
Literally: Not to do a fly any harm
Example: “Den stora hunden gör inte en fluga förnär.” — That big dog wouldn't hurt a fly.
English equivalent: Wouldn't hurt a fly
Equivalents in other languages
English: wouldn't hurt a fly
Origin: Göra förnär is an old way of saying to harm. Someone who would not harm a fly is so gentle they would not hurt even the smallest pest, as in English "wouldn't hurt a fly."
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