lägga vantarna på

Meaning: To get hold of something; to seize or obtain.

Literally: To lay mittens on

Example: “Alla ville lägga vantarna på de sista biljetterna.” — Everyone wanted to get their hands on the last tickets.

English equivalent: To get one's hands on something

Equivalents in other languages

English: get one's hands on something

Origin: Vantar are mittens, a colloquial word for hands. Laying one's mittens on something is grabbing it for oneself. Swedish Wiktionary gives it as a synonym of lägga rabarber på. No particular story lies behind it.

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som vatten på en gås Something that has no effect or makes no impression, sliding off harmlessly.

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Equivalents in other languages

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