Signification
To catch someone unprepared.
Contexte culturel
Danes value punctuality and planning. Using 'at komme bag på' is a common way to excuse a lack of preparation without sounding too defensive. In Danish workplaces, being 'caught off guard' is seen as a sign that communication could be improved. It's often used in 'post-mortems' of projects. It is used to show humility. If you win an award, saying it 'kom bag på dig' makes you seem more likable and less arrogant. Danish news often uses this phrase to describe political 'shocks' to emphasize that the establishment was out of touch.
Use 'Helt'
Add 'helt' (completely) to sound more native: 'Det kom helt bag på mig!'
The 'På' Trap
Never forget the 'på'. Without it, you're just talking about things being behind you physically.
Signification
To catch someone unprepared.
Use 'Helt'
Add 'helt' (completely) to sound more native: 'Det kom helt bag på mig!'
The 'På' Trap
Never forget the 'på'. Without it, you're just talking about things being behind you physically.
Modesty Tool
Use this phrase when you succeed at something to show you weren't expecting it. It's very Danish!
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to complete the sentence.
Det ______ bag ______ mig, at det var så koldt.
The past tense of 'komme' is 'kom', and the required preposition is 'på'.
Which sentence is correct?
Select the natural Danish sentence:
The news (the cause) is the subject, and the person (the one surprised) follows 'på'.
Match the reaction to the situation.
Situation: Your boss gives you a promotion you didn't expect.
This is the standard reaction to an unexpected positive or neutral event.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Vidste du at de lukker butikken?' B: 'Nej, ______'
B is expressing current surprise at the news.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesDet ______ bag ______ mig, at det var så koldt.
The past tense of 'komme' is 'kom', and the required preposition is 'på'.
Select the natural Danish sentence:
The news (the cause) is the subject, and the person (the one surprised) follows 'på'.
Situation: Your boss gives you a promotion you didn't expect.
This is the standard reaction to an unexpected positive or neutral event.
A: 'Vidste du at de lukker butikken?' B: 'Nej, ______'
B is expressing current surprise at the news.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's better to use 'at overraske'. 'At komme bag på' implies being caught off guard, often in a slightly negative or neutral way.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss, your friends, or in a newspaper article.
The past tense is 'Det kom bag på mig'.
Yes, if you mean you surprised him. But usually, we say 'Det kom bag på ham, at...'
No, in this phrase, the 'g' is silent. It sounds like 'ba'.
Yes, but it often carries a sense of 'I wasn't prepared for this', even if it's good.
'Overraske' is the general verb for surprise. 'At komme bag på' specifically means to be caught unprepared.
Yes, it's very common in both journalism and literature.
Yes, someone has to be the one caught off guard (mig, dig, ham, hende, os, dem).
Extremely. You will hear it almost every day in Denmark.
Expressions liées
at tage på sengen
similarTo catch someone in bed (unprepared).
at overrumple
synonymTo take by surprise / to overwhelm.
at overraske
similarTo surprise.
at komme uventet
similarTo come unexpectedly.
