IdiomAnimalsSwedish

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

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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  • lika som bär Identical or nearly identical to each other in appearance or character.
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