Signification
To be likely to happen
Contexte culturel
Norwegians value 'forutsigbarhet' (predictability). This idiom is often used to show that one is sensible and has observed the logical flow of events. The card metaphor is common across Scandinavia (Swedish: 'ligga i korten', Danish: 'ligge i kortene'), reflecting shared cultural history with parlor games and fortune telling. In Norwegian social media, the phrase is sometimes used ironically when something extremely obvious happens, often accompanied by a crystal ball emoji 🔮. In Norwegian boardrooms, this phrase is a polite way to signal that a decision has already been effectively made by circumstances, even before the official vote.
Use it for 'I told you so'
It's a very natural way to say 'I saw this coming' without being too arrogant. Just say 'Det lå vel litt i kortene.'
Ligge vs Legge
This is the most common error. Remember: The cards are already there (ligger). You aren't putting them there (legger).
Signification
To be likely to happen
Use it for 'I told you so'
It's a very natural way to say 'I saw this coming' without being too arrogant. Just say 'Det lå vel litt i kortene.'
Ligge vs Legge
This is the most common error. Remember: The cards are already there (ligger). You aren't putting them there (legger).
Dialect variation
In Oslo and surrounding areas, you'll often hear 'korta' instead of 'kortene'. Both are correct in informal speech.
Teste-toi
Fyll inn riktig form av verbet 'å ligge'.
Det har ______ i kortene lenge at de skulle flytte til utlandet.
We use the present perfect 'har ligget' because the action started in the past and is still relevant.
Hvilken setning er mest naturlig?
Vennen din har trent hver dag i et år. Nå skal han løpe maraton.
The correct idiom uses 'ligger' and the preposition 'i'.
Match situasjonen med riktig bruk av idiom.
Situasjon: En politiker har hatt mange skandaler og må nå gå av.
Resignation after scandals is a predictable outcome, fitting the idiom perfectly.
Fullfør dialogen.
A: Tror du de kommer til å vinne prisen? B: Ja, med den innsatsen de har gjort, ______.
The phrase confirms the expectation based on their effort.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Ligge vs. Legge
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesDet har ______ i kortene lenge at de skulle flytte til utlandet.
We use the present perfect 'har ligget' because the action started in the past and is still relevant.
Vennen din har trent hver dag i et år. Nå skal han løpe maraton.
The correct idiom uses 'ligger' and the preposition 'i'.
Situasjon: En politiker har hatt mange skandaler og må nå gå av.
Resignation after scandals is a predictable outcome, fitting the idiom perfectly.
A: Tror du de kommer til å vinne prisen? B: Ja, med den innsatsen de har gjort, ______.
The phrase confirms the expectation based on their effort.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with friends, but also in a professional email or a news article.
Yes, absolutely. 'Det lå i kortene at de ville tape' is very common.
'Sannsynlig' is just a statistical probability. 'Ligge i kortene' implies there were signs or a logical path leading to it.
No, that sounds like a translation error from German or another language. Always use 'ligger'.
Yes, as 'å liggje i korta'.
It can, but usually it just implies logical predictability in modern usage.
Yes, if there are clear signs like dark clouds.
Always 'i kortene'.
No, the idiom is fixed as 'i kortene' (the cards).
Use the past tense: 'Det lå i kortene'.
Expressions liées
å ligge i lufta
similarTo be in the air / imminent
å se skriften på veggen
similarTo see the writing on the wall
å legge kortene på bordet
contrastTo lay one's cards on the table
være gitt
similarTo be a given / certain
ligge an til
builds onTo look like / be heading towards
