Signification
To be involved in an event.
Contexte culturel
In Norwegian work culture, 'flat hierarchy' is common. This means that even if a boss 'has a finger in the game,' they will often do it in a way that feels like a suggestion rather than an order. The concept of 'Janteloven' (the Law of Jante) influences this idiom. People often prefer to have a 'finger in the game' (subtle influence) rather than being the center of attention, as boasting about power is discouraged. In international negotiations, Norwegians are known for being pragmatic. Using this idiom in a business context shows you understand that results are often the product of many small, indirect influences. Norwegian 'Nordic Noir' crime novels (like those by Jo Nesbø) frequently use this phrase to describe the hidden influence of corrupt officials or criminal masterminds.
Use it for credit
It's a very polite way to acknowledge someone's help without making it sound like they did all the work for you.
Don't forget 'med'
Saying 'en finger i spillet' sounds like a direct translation from English and marks you as a learner.
Signification
To be involved in an event.
Use it for credit
It's a very polite way to acknowledge someone's help without making it sound like they did all the work for you.
Don't forget 'med'
Saying 'en finger i spillet' sounds like a direct translation from English and marks you as a learner.
The 'Secret' Nuance
Use this phrase when you want to sound a bit mysterious or imply that there's more to the story than meets the eye.
Gossip Friendly
This is the #1 phrase for Norwegian 'kontorsladder' (office gossip).
Teste-toi
Fyll inn ordene som mangler i uttrykket.
Jeg er sikker på at hun har en ______ med i ______.
The standard idiom is 'en finger med i spillet'.
Hvilken setning betyr det samme som: 'Han var involvert i planen'?
Velg riktig alternativ:
'En fot i bakken' means to take a break/evaluate, and 'hodet i skyene' means to be a daydreamer.
Fullfør dialogen med riktig form av verbet 'å ha'.
A: Hvordan vant de kampen? B: Jeg tror dommeren ______ en finger med i spillet.
Since the match is over, we use the past tense 'hadde'.
Hvilken situasjon passer best for uttrykket?
Situasjon: En person har hjulpet en venn med å få en date uten at vennen vet det.
The person who exerted the secret influence is the one who 'has a finger in the game'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Finger vs. Hand vs. Strings
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesJeg er sikker på at hun har en ______ med i ______.
The standard idiom is 'en finger med i spillet'.
Velg riktig alternativ:
'En fot i bakken' means to take a break/evaluate, and 'hodet i skyene' means to be a daydreamer.
A: Hvordan vant de kampen? B: Jeg tror dommeren ______ en finger med i spillet.
Since the match is over, we use the past tense 'hadde'.
Situasjon: En person har hjulpet en venn med å få en date uten at vennen vet det.
The person who exerted the secret influence is the one who 'has a finger in the game'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsNot necessarily. It can be used to describe a helpful mentor or a sneaky manipulator. The context tells the story.
No, the idiom is fixed as 'en finger'. Even if 100 people were involved, it's still 'en finger'.
In standard Urban East Norwegian (Oslo dialect), the 't' is silent. You say 'spille'.
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in formal writing, though 'medvirkning' is more technical.
'Trekke i trådene' implies you are the boss/mastermind. 'En finger med i spillet' just means you were one of the people involved.
In this idiom, almost never. It refers to a situation, a process, or an event.
It is always 'i spillet'.
Yes, especially to describe a coach's influence on a specific play.
Very common. You will hear it in news, podcasts, and at the dinner table.
You can say 'Jeg hadde ingen finger med i spillet'.
Not really, but you can add 'ass' or 'liksom' to make it sound more casual.
Only if you are being humorous, like saying a cat had a finger in the game of a broken vase.
Expressions liées
å trekke i trådene
similarTo pull the strings
å ha en hånd med i laget
synonymTo have a hand in the team/work
å blande seg inn
similarTo interfere
å være med på notene
relatedTo be in on it / to follow along
å ha mange jern i ilden
contrastTo have many irons in the fire
