sätta käppar i hjulet
Meaning: To create obstacles or hindrances for someone or something.
Language: Swedish
Literally: to set sticks in the wheel
Category: Daily Life
Origin: The image is of a stick jammed into a wheel to stop it turning—a literal obstruction.
More idioms — Daily Life
- vända kappan efter vinden — To change one's allegiance or principles opportunistically depending on circumstances.
- styv i korken — Overly self-confident and arrogant, carrying oneself with unwarranted swagger.
- gå sitt öde till mötes — To face one's destiny, often implying a dramatic or fatal confrontation with what is fate…
- komma till pass — To prove useful or convenient in a particular situation; to be exactly what is needed.
- syna i sömmarna — To examine something with intense, often harsh scrutiny and criticism.
- sätta någon på plats — To rebuke or humble someone by establishing proper order or respect.
More Swedish idioms
- lägga vantarna på — To get hold of something; to seize or obtain.
- gräva sin egen grav — To cause one's own ruin or downfall through foolish actions.
- inte göra en fluga förnär — To be harmless and gentle, incapable of hurting even the smallest creature.
- som vatten på en gås — Something that has no effect or makes no impression, sliding off harmlessly.
- lysa med lånta fjädrar — To present oneself falsely by adopting the qualities, accomplishments, or possessions of…
- så till den milda grad — To such an extent; to a remarkable or extreme degree, often used ironically.
From our compliments & insults
- Avoir un poil dans la main — To be incurably lazy.
- Tête de linotte — A scatterbrain who can't hold a thought.
- Courir sur le haricot — To get badly on someone's nerves.