IdiomBody & Senses
Finnish
FinnishOlla pinna kireällä
Meaning: To be on edge and short-tempered.
Literally: To have the spoke tight
Example: “Kokeiden aikaan opettajalla on pinna kireällä.” — During exams the teacher has a short fuse.
English equivalent: To have a short fuse
Origin: A pinna is a spoke, or a tensioned rod or pin, and one pulled tight is close to snapping. Someone whose spoke is tight is on edge and irritable. The phrase is colloquial and has no particular story behind it.
Equivalents in other languages
Spanish: Tener mala uva Literally: To have bad grape
French: Être soupe au lait Literally: To be milk soup
English: have a short fuse
More Finnish idioms
- 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.
- 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.
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