IdiomDaily Life
Swedish
Swedishsätta käppar i hjulet
Meaning: To create obstacles or hindrances for someone or something.
Literally: To set sticks in the wheel
Example: “Regnet satte käppar i hjulet för vår grillfest.” — The rain threw a spanner in the works of our barbecue.
English equivalent: To throw a spanner in the works
Equivalents in other languages
English: To throw a spanner in the works
Slovenian: Metati polena pod noge Literally: To throw logs under someone's feet
Dutch: roet in het eten gooien Literally: To throw soot in the food
Polish: włożyć kij w szprychy Literally: To put a stick in the spokes
Origin: A stick pushed into the spokes of a turning wheel jams it. Setting sticks in someone's wheel is putting obstacles in their way, like English "put a spoke in someone's wheel." No first use is documented.
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.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- 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.
Keep exploring