Signification
To sabotage one's own success.
Contexte culturel
In Danish business culture, admitting you 'spændte ben for dig selv' is seen as a sign of high 'emotional intelligence' (EQ). It shows you can take responsibility without blaming the system. The phrase is common across Norway and Sweden too (spenne bein på seg selv / spänna ben för sig själv). It reflects a shared Nordic value of self-reliance and practical self-criticism. Danish sports commentators are famous for using this phrase. It's almost a cliché to say the Danish national team 'spænder ben for sig selv' when they lose to a smaller nation. Teachers often use this with students to discuss study habits. It's a 'gentle' way to warn students about the dangers of procrastination without being too harsh.
Master the Reflexives
The idiom is useless if you get the pronoun wrong. Practice 'Jeg... mig selv', 'Du... dig selv' until it's automatic.
Don't use for accidents
If you literally trip over a rug, just say 'Jeg faldt'. Using this idiom makes it sound like a psychological problem!
Signification
To sabotage one's own success.
Master the Reflexives
The idiom is useless if you get the pronoun wrong. Practice 'Jeg... mig selv', 'Du... dig selv' until it's automatic.
Don't use for accidents
If you literally trip over a rug, just say 'Jeg faldt'. Using this idiom makes it sound like a psychological problem!
Soft Criticism
Use this when you want to criticize someone without being mean. It implies the person is smart but just made a 'clumsy' choice.
Teste-toi
Indsæt det rigtige refleksive pronomen (mig, dig, sig, os, jer).
Jeg er bange for, at jeg kommer til at spænde ben for ____ selv til samtalen.
Da grundleddet er 'Jeg', skal det refleksive pronomen være 'mig'.
Hvilken situation passer bedst til udtrykket?
Mette vil gerne tabe sig, men hun køber kage hver dag.
Mette ødelægger sine egne chancer for succes (vægttab).
Match personen med den rigtige sætning.
Match:
Alle parrene viser korrekt overensstemmelse mellem subjekt og pronomen.
Fuldfør dialogen.
A: Jeg har ikke øvet mig på min præsentation. B: Pas på, du ikke ____.
B taler til A (du), så det skal være 'dig selv'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesJeg er bange for, at jeg kommer til at spænde ben for ____ selv til samtalen.
Da grundleddet er 'Jeg', skal det refleksive pronomen være 'mig'.
Mette vil gerne tabe sig, men hun køber kage hver dag.
Mette ødelægger sine egne chancer for succes (vægttab).
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Alle parrene viser korrekt overensstemmelse mellem subjekt og pronomen.
A: Jeg har ikke øvet mig på min præsentation. B: Pas på, du ikke ____.
B taler til A (du), så det skal være 'dig selv'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it's acceptable in a professional context to describe internal project issues or personal mistakes, though 'uhensigtsmæssig' is more formal.
Yes, in this idiom, 'ben' is always plural. You cannot say 'spænde et ben'.
They are very similar. 'Spænde ben' often implies a process or a habit, while 'skyde sig selv i foden' is often a single, sudden mistake.
Yes! 'At spænde ben for andre' means to sabotage someone else. Just change the object.
No, it's usually seen as helpful, constructive advice among friends.
Usually not. It implies it was a mistake, a lack of foresight, or a subconscious act.
You use the same phrase, but the context will tell the listener it was physical. However, 'Jeg snublede i mine egne fødder' is more common for physical trips.
Yes: 'Jeg spændte ben for mig selv'.
Not directly from this idiom. You would use 'selvsabotage'.
Yes, it's a very standard literary idiom used to describe tragic or flawed characters.
Expressions liées
at skyde sig selv i foden
synonymTo shoot oneself in the foot.
at grave sin egen grav
similarTo dig one's own grave.
at være sin egen værste fjende
similarTo be one's own worst enemy.
at spænde ben for andre
contrastTo sabotage others.
