14 Hilarious Swedish Idioms

Idioms exist in every language and have their way of creating a challenge when you are learning a new language. That said, they’re also incredibly useful and often quite hilarious, especially to newcomers!

Here, we have put together a list of Swedish Idioms and their translations that hopefully will make you laugh your socks off!

1. Tagga ner 

In Sweden, people won’t ask you to “cool down.” Instead, they’ll tell you to “take your spikes down.”

2. Ingen fara på taket 

“No danger on the roof!” is actually the Swedish way of saying “No worries”.

3. Lätt som en plätt 

When something is “effortless” in Sweden, it’s “easy as a pancake.”

4. Du har satt din sista potatis 

Even though Swedes are known to avoid conflict, they also have a breaking point. Instead of saying “I’ve had enough of you!” they might say, “You’ve planted your last potato!”

5. Smaken är som baken, delad 

When people disagree, they might say “It’s a matter of taste.” Your Swedish friend, however, will likely say, “Taste is like a rear end, divided!”

6. Har inte alla hästar hemma 

When Swedes say someone “doesn’t have all their horses at home,” they’re implying that the person isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed.

7. Ana ugglor i mossen 

In Sweden, if you suspect something isn’t quite right, you are “sensing owls in the bog”.

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8. Tala om trollen 

Trolls are common in Scandinavian folklore, so instead of “Speak of the devil,” Swedes say, “Speak of the trolls.”

9. Skita i det blå skåpet 

Instead of telling you that you’ve embarrassed yourself, a Swede might say, “You’ve taken a sh** in the blue cupboard.”

10. Kasta pärlor åt svin 

In Sweden, if you give away something valuable and it’s unappreciated, you’re “throwing pearls to swine.”

11. Skogstokig 

Swedes aren’t furious, they are “forest-crazy!”

12. Lägga benen på ryggen 

In Sweden, you don’t “run for it”, you “put your legs on your back.”

13. Lägg ägg! 

“Lay eggs!” means “No way!” in Swedish.

14. Pang på rödbetan 

Last but not least, Swedes don’t get “right to the point.” Instead, they’re “bang on the beetroot!”