Bedeutung
To lose momentum and come to nothing.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase is deeply linked to 'fårikål', Norway's national dish. Fårikål is a symbol of patience and slow-cooking, which makes the metaphor of 'losing track' during a long process very relatable to Norwegians. In Norwegian flat-hierarchy workplaces, decisions are often made through long discussions. This idiom is a common 'safe' way to criticize the lack of progress without blaming a specific person. Norwegian media uses this phrase constantly to describe government reports (NOUer) that are written but never implemented. Norwegians value 'friluftsliv' (outdoor life). Many plans to go hiking or skiing 'koker bort i kålen' if the weather is bad, and this is socially acceptable.
Use it for 'Death by Committee'
This is the perfect phrase to describe when a group of people talks so much that they never actually do anything.
Don't use for people
Remember, it's the *plan* or *idea* that boils away, not the person. Saying 'Han kokte bort i kålen' sounds like he physically dissolved.
Bedeutung
To lose momentum and come to nothing.
Use it for 'Death by Committee'
This is the perfect phrase to describe when a group of people talks so much that they never actually do anything.
Don't use for people
Remember, it's the *plan* or *idea* that boils away, not the person. Saying 'Han kokte bort i kålen' sounds like he physically dissolved.
The 'Bort' is key
Always include 'bort'. Without it, you're just saying something is cooking in cabbage, which is a recipe, not an idiom.
Humor is okay
This idiom has a slightly funny, domestic feel. Using it in a serious meeting can actually help lighten the mood while still making your point.
Teste dich selbst
Fyll inn de manglende ordene i uttrykket.
Vi hadde en god plan, men den kokte ___ i ___.
Det riktige uttrykket er 'å koke bort i kålen'.
Hvilken situasjon passer best for dette uttrykket?
Hvilken situasjon er 'å koke bort i kålen'?
Uttrykket beskriver noe som gradvis forsvinner uten resultat.
Fullfør dialogen med riktig form av uttrykket.
A: Skal vi fortsatt starte det firmaet? B: Nei, det ___ dessverre ___ i ___ i fjor.
Siden det skjedde 'i fjor', må vi bruke preteritum (kokte).
Match uttrykket med riktig betydning.
Hva betyr det når noe 'koker bort i kålen'?
Det betyr at prosjektet eller planen mislykkes ved å forsvinne.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenVi hadde en god plan, men den kokte ___ i ___.
Det riktige uttrykket er 'å koke bort i kålen'.
Hvilken situasjon er 'å koke bort i kålen'?
Uttrykket beskriver noe som gradvis forsvinner uten resultat.
A: Skal vi fortsatt starte det firmaet? B: Nei, det ___ dessverre ___ i ___ i fjor.
Siden det skjedde 'i fjor', må vi bruke preteritum (kokte).
Hva betyr det når noe 'koker bort i kålen'?
Det betyr at prosjektet eller planen mislykkes ved å forsvinne.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, that would be 'mislykket' or 'falt sammen'. This idiom is only for plans or ideas that disappear over time.
It's neutral. It's better than saying 'You forgot the project,' as it implies the project disappeared on its own.
They are almost identical. 'Kålen' feels a bit more everyday and 'Norwegian', while 'sanden' is a bit more formal/poetic.
Yes, the idiom is fixed. You cannot use 'broccoli' or 'carrots'.
Not at all. It is used daily in modern Norwegian offices and news.
Yes: 'Jeg er redd for at det vil koke bort i kålen.'
Often, yes. It implies a lack of follow-through or initiative.
You can, but it sounds a bit funny. 'Det rant ut i sanden' is more common for dating.
Yes, always 'kålen', never 'kål'.
The closest are 'to fizzle out' or 'to come to nothing'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
å renne ut i sanden
synonymTo run out into the sand.
å gå i vasken
similarTo go down the drain.
å bli til ingenting
similarTo become nothing.
å fisle ut
synonymTo fizzle out.
mye skrik og lite ull
contrastMuch cry and little wool.
