Signification
To judge everyone in the same way
Contexte culturel
Danes value 'nuance' highly. In public debate, being accused of generalizing is a serious critique of your logic. The phrase is common across all Scandinavian languages (Swedish: 'dra alla över en kam', Norwegian: 'skjære alle over én kam'). It reflects a shared cultural history of guild-based crafts like barbering. On Danish Twitter, the hashtag #skærikkealleoverénkam is sometimes used to fight against ethnic or gender-based stereotypes. Danish management style is usually flat and individualistic. Using this phrase to protest a 'one-size-fits-all' policy is common and usually respected.
The Stress Test
Always stress the word 'én'. If you say it softly, it sounds like the article 'a', and the idiom loses its punch.
Preposition Trap
Never use 'under'. Even though 'under' sounds logical (cutting under a template), the idiom is fixed as 'over'.
Signification
To judge everyone in the same way
The Stress Test
Always stress the word 'én'. If you say it softly, it sounds like the article 'a', and the idiom loses its punch.
Preposition Trap
Never use 'under'. Even though 'under' sounds logical (cutting under a template), the idiom is fixed as 'over'.
Nuance is King
Danes love the word 'nuanceret'. Use 'at skære alle over én kam' to show you value deep thinking.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Man kan ikke bare skære alle ____ én ____.
The correct preposition is 'over' and the tool is 'kam' (comb).
Which situation best fits the use of this idiom?
A person says: 'All politicians are only interested in money.'
Generalizing an entire profession is the classic use of this phrase.
Choose the grammatically correct sentence.
Which sentence uses the past tense correctly?
'Skære' is a strong verb: skærer -> skar -> skåret.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Jeg synes alle tyskere er meget punktlige.' B: 'Det er måske en fordom. Du ____.'
This is the most natural way to challenge a stereotype in Danish.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMan kan ikke bare skære alle ____ én ____.
The correct preposition is 'over' and the tool is 'kam' (comb).
A person says: 'All politicians are only interested in money.'
Generalizing an entire profession is the classic use of this phrase.
Which sentence uses the past tense correctly?
'Skære' is a strong verb: skærer -> skar -> skåret.
A: 'Jeg synes alle tyskere er meget punktlige.' B: 'Det er måske en fordom. Du ____.'
This is the most natural way to challenge a stereotype in Danish.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsRarely. It almost always implies an unfair or lazy judgment. If you want to be positive, use 'at behandle alle lige' (to treat everyone equally).
Use 'alle' for people and 'alt' for things or abstract concepts. Both are correct.
Not at all! It's perfect for a coffee-break chat or a family dinner argument.
It refers to an old barber's tool used as a template for haircuts.
The closest is 'to tar everyone with the same brush' or 'to paint everyone with the same brush'.
No, that's a common mistake. It must be 'én kam'.
It's an irregular verb: skærer (present), skar (past), skåret (past participle).
Yes, very often to criticize 'one-size-fits-all' management strategies.
People might say 'at skære alle over én læst', which comes from shoemaking, but 'kam' is much more common.
Yes, to show you understand the importance of individual treatment in a role like HR or teaching.
Expressions liées
at generalisere
synonymTo generalize
at putte i bås
similarTo pigeonhole someone
at se nuanceret på tingene
contrastTo look at things with nuance
at feje alle over én kam
specialized formTo sweep everyone over one comb
