Signification
to reverse a situation
Contexte culturel
Danes love sports metaphors. Even in high-level business meetings, you will hear phrases like 'vende bøtten' or 'spille hinanden gode' (make each other good). Tabloid newspapers like Ekstra Bladet and BT often use this phrase in giant headlines when the national team wins a comeback match. Using this phrase shows a 'can-do' attitude. It is seen as proactive and energetic. The use of 'bøtte' (bucket) reflects the agrarian roots of many Danish idioms, emphasizing a connection to physical labor and simple tools.
Use with 'få'
Saying 'få vendt bøtten' sounds more natural and native than just 'vende bøtten' when talking about an achievement.
Positive only
Remember, this is almost always for a change from BAD to GOOD. Don't use it for a disaster.
Signification
to reverse a situation
Use with 'få'
Saying 'få vendt bøtten' sounds more natural and native than just 'vende bøtten' when talking about an achievement.
Positive only
Remember, this is almost always for a change from BAD to GOOD. Don't use it for a disaster.
Sports context
If you want to fit in at a Danish bar during a match, this is your go-to phrase.
Teste-toi
Udfyld det manglende ord i idiomet.
Vi tabte i starten, men i anden halvleg fik vi vendt _______.
Det korrekte idiom er 'at vende bøtten'.
Hvilken situation passer bedst til udtrykket 'at vende bøtten'?
Vælg den rigtige situation:
Idiomet betyder at vende en negativ situation til en positiv.
Færdiggør dialogen så den giver mening.
A: 'Projektet er en katastrofe!' B: 'Rolig nu, vi kan stadig _______.'
'Vende bøtten' bruges her til at foreslå en redning af projektet.
Match idiomet med den rigtige betydning.
Hvad betyder 'at vende bøtten'?
Det handler om den positive vending.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesVi tabte i starten, men i anden halvleg fik vi vendt _______.
Det korrekte idiom er 'at vende bøtten'.
Vælg den rigtige situation:
Idiomet betyder at vende en negativ situation til en positiv.
A: 'Projektet er en katastrofe!' B: 'Rolig nu, vi kan stadig _______.'
'Vende bøtten' bruges her til at foreslå en redning af projektet.
Hvad betyder 'at vende bøtten'?
Det handler om den positive vending.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsNot exactly slang, but it is informal. It's an idiom that is perfectly acceptable in most conversations and media.
Yes, if you are describing a time you saved a project. It shows energy and results-orientation.
'Vende skuden' (turn the ship) is slightly more formal and implies a larger scale change.
Yes, in this specific idiom, you cannot replace 'bøtten' with 'spanden' (the pail) or any other container.
Yes, you can say 'bøtten vendte for dem' (the bucket turned for them), meaning the situation changed on its own or by luck.
Expressions liées
at vende skuden
synonymTo turn the ship around.
at få overtaget
similarTo gain the upper hand.
at bryde isen
builds onTo break the ice.
at kaste håndklædet i ringen
contrastTo throw in the towel.
