IdiomAnimalsSwedish

som vatten på en gås

Meaning: Something that has no effect or makes no impression, sliding off harmlessly.

Literally: Like water on a goose

Example: “Kritiken rann av honom som vatten på en gås.” — The criticism was like water off a duck's back to him.

English equivalent: Like water off a duck's back

Equivalents in other languages

Origin: A goose's feathers are coated with oil, so water runs straight off them. Something that runs off someone like water off a goose makes no impression at all. English uses a duck for the same picture.

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