Swedish Idioms

A curated set of 17 idioms in Swedish — literal translations, real meanings, and where each one comes from.

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• Det finns ingen ko på isen — There's nothing to worry about. Literally: There is no cow on the ice.
• Att glida in på en räkmacka — To have things handed to you without effort. Literally: To slide in on a shrimp sandwich.
• Att ha rent mjöl i påsen — To have a clean conscience; nothing to hide. Literally: To have clean flour in the bag.
• att köpa grisen i säcken — To make a purchase or agreement without inspecting or understanding what you're actually getting. Literally: to buy the pig in the sack.
• det är inte värt ett öre — Something is completely worthless or valueless. Literally: it is not worth an öre.
• att vara rädd som en hare — To be extremely fearful and jumpy, ready to flee at the slightest danger. Literally: to be afraid like a hare.
• Skägget i brevlådan — Caught red-handed in an awkward, embarrassing position. Literally: With your beard in the mailbox.
• Ana ugglor i mossen — To sense that something fishy is going on. Literally: To suspect owls in the bog.
• Lägga rabarber på något — To claim or grab something for yourself. Literally: To lay rhubarb on something.
• Nu har du satt din sista potatis — You've done your last misdeed; you're finished. Literally: Now you've planted your last potato.
• Att göra en pudel — To make a public, grovelling apology. Literally: To do a poodle.
• Att ha tummen mitt i handen — To be hopelessly clumsy; all thumbs. Literally: To have the thumb in the middle of the hand.
• Nu är det kokta fläsket stekt — Now we're really in trouble. Literally: Now the boiled pork is fried.
• Att kasta yxan i sjön — To give up completely. Literally: To throw the axe in the lake.
• Att ha en räv bakom örat — To be cunning and sly. Literally: To have a fox behind the ear.
• Att smita från notan — To dodge paying or shirk responsibility. Literally: To slip away from the bill.
• Att sätta sig på tvären — To be obstinate and refuse to cooperate. Literally: To sit down crosswise.

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