Some Swedish Idioms In English
Working as a Swede in international settings is pretty fun. Especially for me who has a soft spot for linguistics! Here’s a list of typical Swedish idioms which I’m sure we let slip into English every now and then.
You just took a crap in the blue cupboard.
There will be hell to pay.
Having something land between two chairs.
When something gets forgotten because no-one is responsible for it.
There’s a dog buried here.
Smelling a rat.
Make a hen out of a feather.
Turning something that isn’t an issue into one.
You look like you sold the butter and then lost the money.
When a person looks both sad and a bit guilty.
Everyone knows the monkey, but the monkey knows no-one.
Don’t think you’re popular just because you’re known.
All ways are good, except for the bad ones.
Some idioms don’t really mean anything, but Swedes just say things like this anyway.
I sense owls in the bog.
Something’s not right and if we’re smart, we could probably figure it out.
He must be behind the float.
That guys doesn’t come across as very smart.
I will be the one carrying the dog’s head.
Taking the blame for something.
Take off to the forrest!
Go to hell!
Pull it over the same comb.
To be generalizing.
Pull one’s nose.
Pull one’s leg.
Lighting fires for crows.
Doing something completely unnecessary.
I will get you for old cheese!
Revenge will be mine!
He must be born in the vestibule.
That guy isn’t very smart.
Sliding in on a schrimp sandwich.
Sometimes, you don’t really have to struggle.
Like a cat around hot porridge.
Being restless and slightly nervous up until the point it becomes annoying for the people around you.
Having an un-plucked goose with someone.
Having a score to settle with someone.
Jumping into a crazy barrel.
Do something completely irrational.
Holding a box.
Talking so much no-one else gets a chance to talk.
Staying on the carpet.
To practice self-restraint.
I got it from the horse’s mouth.
Having first-hand information.
No danger on the roof.
It’s safe even though we thought it wasn’t.
The Interest Club is taking notes.
Sarcastically pointing out that something is obvious, superfluous or just plain.
Throwing cash in the lake.
Spending unnecessary money.
Cooking soup on a nail.
Being creative with nothing.
Buying the pig in the sack.
Not doing proper research before a decision.
Now shame walks on dry land.
When immorality takes over and you feel that you can’t stop it anymore.
It’s the dot over the i.
The final touch.
The thing is beef.
When something’s completely done.
Performing magic with the knees.
Being creative with nothing—even if it takes some faking.
He’s out bicycling.
When someone is making out-of-the-blue assumptions.
Do you have any favorite idioms translated into English to share?
