Bedeutung
to attack someone aggressively
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Danish political culture, 'at gå efter struben' is often seen as a sign of a 'professional' politician. While Danes value consensus, they also respect a politician who can 'skære ind til benet' (cut to the bone) and deliver a 'strubehug' (throat-hit) in a debate. Across Scandinavia, there is a tension between the 'nice' social democratic exterior and the 'Viking' competitive interior. This idiom is a linguistic remnant of the more aggressive, competitive side of the culture. Danish tabloids like 'Ekstra Bladet' are famous for 'going after the throat' of celebrities and politicians. Their style is intentionally provocative and aggressive. In Danish football (soccer), fans expect the team to 'go for the throat' if the opponent gets a red card or looks tired. Playing defensively against a weak opponent is often criticized.
Use with 'direkte'
Adding 'direkte' (directly) before 'efter' makes the attack sound even more intentional and ruthless: 'Han gik direkte efter struben'.
Too aggressive for friends
Be careful using this about friends or family unless you are clearly joking. It implies a 'fight to the death' mentality.
Bedeutung
to attack someone aggressively
Use with 'direkte'
Adding 'direkte' (directly) before 'efter' makes the attack sound even more intentional and ruthless: 'Han gik direkte efter struben'.
Too aggressive for friends
Be careful using this about friends or family unless you are clearly joking. It implies a 'fight to the death' mentality.
The 'Borgen' Effect
If you watch the Danish show 'Borgen', you will hear variations of this mindset often. It's the key to understanding Danish political drama.
Teste dich selbst
Udfyld det manglende ord i idiomet.
Under den politiske debat valgte udfordreren at gå efter _______ med det samme.
Idiomet er 'at gå efter struben'. Selvom 'halsen' betyder næsten det samme, bruges det ikke i dette faste udtryk.
Hvilken situation passer bedst til udtrykket 'at gå efter struben'?
Vælg den mest passende kontekst:
Udtrykket handler om aggressivt at udnytte en modstanders svaghed for at vinde.
Færdiggør dialogen så den lyder naturlig.
A: 'Journalisten var virkelig hård ved ministeren i går.' B: 'Ja, hun _______ virkelig efter struben.'
Da samtalen handler om noget, der skete 'i går', skal verbet 'at gå' stå i datid (gik).
Hvad betyder det, når man 'går efter struben' i en forretningsforhandling?
Vælg den korrekte betydning:
I business betyder det at være nådesløs og strategisk for at vinde.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aggression Levels in Danish Idioms
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenUnder den politiske debat valgte udfordreren at gå efter _______ med det samme.
Idiomet er 'at gå efter struben'. Selvom 'halsen' betyder næsten det samme, bruges det ikke i dette faste udtryk.
Vælg den mest passende kontekst:
Udtrykket handler om aggressivt at udnytte en modstanders svaghed for at vinde.
A: 'Journalisten var virkelig hård ved ministeren i går.' B: 'Ja, hun _______ virkelig efter struben.'
Da samtalen handler om noget, der skete 'i går', skal verbet 'at gå' stå i datid (gik).
Vælg den korrekte betydning:
I business betyder det at være nådesløs og strategisk for at vinde.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
14 FragenAnatomically, 'struben' is the larynx/voice box, while 'halsen' is the whole neck. In idioms, 'struben' is used for lethal attacks, while 'halsen' is used for swallowing or general neck-related phrases.
Rarely. It can be 'positive' in sports commentary to describe a winning instinct, but it always implies aggression.
The past tense is 'gik efter struben'. Example: 'De gik efter struben i går.'
Yes, it is very common in news, sports, and political discussions in Denmark.
No, the idiom is fixed as 'at gå efter struben'. You add the person after 'på', e.g., 'at gå efter struben på mig'.
No, it is a standard idiom. It's informal but acceptable in most media.
The closest equivalent is 'to go for the jugular'.
In 99% of modern cases, no. It is purely metaphorical for verbal or strategic attacks.
Probably not. It makes you sound too aggressive and difficult to work with.
Yes, 'at kritisere skarpt' (to criticize sharply) is a more neutral, professional alternative.
Because the idiom comes from hunting. Predators go for the throat to kill quickly; going for the heart is harder through the ribs!
Yes, Swedish has 'gå efter strupen' and Norwegian has 'gå etter strupen', with almost identical meanings.
Yes, you can 'gå efter struben på et problem', meaning you attack the core of the issue.
No, it's C1 because using it correctly requires an understanding of tone, metaphor, and social context.
Verwandte Redewendungen
at gå i kødet på nogen
similarTo attack someone verbally or physically.
at ramme et ømt punkt
similarTo hit a sore spot.
at tage bladet fra munden
contrastTo speak one's mind plainly.
at give nådestødet
builds onTo deliver the final blow.
at spille med musklerne
similarTo flex one's muscles / show strength.
