IdiomAnimals
Finnish
FinnishOlla kuin Ellun kanat
Meaning: To live a carefree, comfortable life.
Literally: To be like Ellu's hens
Example: “Eläkkeellä he elävät kuin Ellun kanat.” — In retirement they're living the life of Riley.
English equivalent: The life of Riley
Origin: "To be like Ellu's hens": to live carefree, enjoying oneself. Who Ellu was is not known: stories about a Helsinki woman, or a cabman, whose hens roamed freely are told, but no source documents them.
Equivalents in other languages
English: the life of Riley
French: Rouler carrosse Literally: To roll a carriage
More Finnish idioms
- Vetää lonkalta To improvise; to wing it.
- Mennä metsään To go completely wrong.
- Olla pinna kireällä To be on edge and short-tempered.
- Lyödä rahoiksi To cash in; to profit handsomely.
- Ei ole kaikki muumit laaksossa Someone isn't quite all there.
- Maksaa maltaita To cost a fortune.
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