IdiomFood & Drink
Swedish
SwedishNu har du satt din sista potatis
Meaning: You've done your last misdeed; you're finished.
Literally: Now you've planted your last potato
Example: “Du har kommit för sent tre gånger: nu har du satt din sista potatis.” — You've been late three times; now your goose is cooked.
English equivalent: To cook someone's goose
Origin: SAOB, the historical dictionary of the Swedish Academy, records ha satt sin sista potatis from 1930, meaning to have taken part for the last time, to have made oneself impossible, or to have had one's last word on a matter. Planting one's last potato is the end of one's season: after this, there will be no more chances.
Equivalents in other languages
English: cook someone's goose
More Swedish idioms
- Att göra en pudel To make a public, groveling apology.
- Att ha tummen mitt i handen To be hopelessly clumsy; all thumbs.
- Nu är det kokta fläsket stekt Now we're really in trouble.
- Att kasta yxan i sjön To give up completely.
- Att ha en räv bakom örat To be cunning and sly.
- Att smita från notan To dodge paying or shirk responsibility.
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