inte göra en fluga förnär

Meaning: To be harmless and gentle, incapable of hurting even the smallest creature.

Language: Swedish

Literally: not to do a fly any harm

Category: Animals

Origin: The image contrasts a person's gentleness with the idea that even a fly would be safe from them.

More idioms — Animals

  • som vatten på en gås — Something that has no effect or makes no impression, sliding off harmlessly.
  • lysa med lånta fjädrar — To present oneself falsely by adopting the qualities, accomplishments, or possessions of…
  • surt sa räven — To claim that something undesirable was not worth having anyway, as a way of masking disa…
  • kupować kota w worku — To purchase something without examining it first, risking getting a poor deal.
  • ptasi móżdżek — A stupid or scatterbrained person.
  • strzyc uszami — To prick up one's ears; to listen intently.

More Swedish idioms

  • styv i korken — Overly self-confident and arrogant, carrying oneself with unwarranted swagger.
  • gå sitt öde till mötes — To face one's destiny, often implying a dramatic or fatal confrontation with what is fate…
  • så till den milda grad — To such an extent; to a remarkable or extreme degree, often used ironically.
  • komma till pass — To prove useful or convenient in a particular situation; to be exactly what is needed.
  • lika som bär — Identical or nearly identical to each other in appearance or character.
  • syna i sömmarna — To examine something with intense, often harsh scrutiny and criticism.

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