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Maksaa maltaita

Meaning: To cost a fortune.

Language: Finnish

Literally: To cost malts

Category: Food & Drink

Origin: Malted grain for brewing was once a precious, taxed commodity in Finland, so paying in malts meant paying dearly.

More idioms — Food & Drink

  • Mít máslo na hlavě — To have a guilty conscience or something to hide.
  • Nem fenékig tejföl — It's not all rosy; things aren't as good as they seem.
  • Передати куті меду — To overdo something well past the right measure.
  • نمک‌گیر شدن — To feel bound by gratitude after sharing someone's food or hospitality.
  • Ăn cháo đá bát — To be ungrateful and turn on those who helped you.
  • Avoir un cœur d'artichaut — To fall in love easily and often.

More Finnish idioms

  • Heittää lusikka nurkkaan — To die.
  • Olla pipo kireällä — To be uptight, grumpy or in a foul mood.
  • Päästä kuin koira veräjästä — To escape consequences entirely; to get off scot-free.
  • Olla kuin Ellun kanat — To live a carefree, comfortable life.
  • Vetää lonkalta — To improvise; to wing it.
  • Mennä metsään — To go completely wrong.

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