tidens tand
Meaning: The slow decay and wearing away of things through the passage of time, the gradual damage caused by age.
Language: Swedish
Literally: time's tooth
Category: Nature
Origin: Time is personified as having teeth that gnaw away at things, eroding them as years pass, much as an animal's teeth wear down with use.
More idioms — Nature
- djungelns lag — Survival of the fittest; a state of lawlessness where brutal competition and violence det…
- gräva sin egen grav — To cause one's own ruin or downfall through foolish actions.
- på hal is — In a precarious or dangerous situation that one cannot control or easily escape.
- mitt på ljusan dag — In broad daylight; openly and obviously, not in secret.
- trzęsienie ziemi — A sudden, violent upheaval or catastrophic disruption in society, politics, or personal c…
- zapadać się pod ziemię — To wish to disappear from shame or mortification.
More Swedish idioms
- spel för galleriet — To do something misleading or false primarily to impress or deceive an audience or group…
- inte ha en aning — To have no idea or understanding whatsoever about something.
- ha luktat krutrök — To be experienced in battle or conflict; to have been tested under fire.
- ingen ko på isen — There is no danger or immediate problem; the situation is safe.
- reta gallfeber på — To infuriate or enrage someone intensely.
- sätta käppar i hjulet — To create obstacles or hindrances for someone or something.
From our tongue twisters
- Tres tristes tigres tragaban trigo en un trigal. — A relentless run on the 'tr' sound.
- Fischers Fritz fischt frische Fische, frische Fische fischt Fischers Fritz. — The German 'f' / 'sch' staple.
- Sopra la panca la capra campa, sotto la panca la capra crepa. — A beloved 'c' / 'p' rhythm trap.