Swedish Idioms

Slumpens Skördar

The harvest of chance, basically something occuring by randomness.

Många bäckar små (gör en stor å)

Many small streams make a big creek.


Usually only first part is used (many small streams)


Basically all contributions count, no matter how small

Det var som katten sa

It's as the cat spoke


Used to express surprise over something unbelievable

Inte värt ett ruttet lingon

Not worth a rotten lingon


Basically not worth the trouble

Grädde på moset

The icing on the cake


Basically the thing that seals the deal. Used to state another benefit.

Gå som katten kring het gröt

To walk like a cat around hot porridge


To beat around the bush; to pussyfoot

Mycket snack och lite verkstad

Lots of talk and no workshop
All talk, no action

Vara ute och cykla

To be out cycling


To be utterly confused; to misunderstand something

Känna som sin egen ficka

To know like one's own pocket

To know like the back of one's hand

som en droppe i havet

like a drop in the sea


It doesn't matter basically because the effect it's going to have is too small.

ha ett gås att plocka med

have a goose to pluck with


to have a bone to pick with

Vara i knipa

have a problem

Fnurra på trådden

Spinning on the end of the wire

Disagreement among friends or lovers quarrel

Sist men inte minst

Last but not least