Signification
To accept something you strongly dislike.
Contexte culturel
In Norwegian politics, 'kamelsvelging' is so common that it's almost a technical term. It's often used by politicians to explain to their base why they didn't fulfill a campaign promise. The phrase is common across Scandinavia (Danish: 'at sluge en kamel', Swedish: 'att svälja en kamel'), reflecting a shared Lutheran biblical heritage. The original Greek text used 'kamēlos' (camel). Some scholars argue it might have been a typo for 'kamilos' (rope), but the 'camel' image stuck because of its absurdity. In flat-hierarchy Norwegian offices, managers often use this phrase to show empathy when they have to deliver bad news from upper management.
Use it in Politics
If you want to sound like a political analyst, use this phrase when discussing coalition governments.
Don't use for food
Never use this if you are actually having trouble swallowing food. People will think you are joking or confused.
Signification
To accept something you strongly dislike.
Use it in Politics
If you want to sound like a political analyst, use this phrase when discussing coalition governments.
Don't use for food
Never use this if you are actually having trouble swallowing food. People will think you are joking or confused.
Teste-toi
Fyll inn det manglende ordet i uttrykket.
Vi måtte svelge en _______ for å bli enige om budsjettet.
Uttrykket er alltid 'å svelge en kamel'.
Hva betyr uttrykket i denne setningen?
Læreren svelget en kamel og lot elevene bruke mobilen i timen.
Læreren aksepterte mobilbruk selv om han sannsynligvis var imot det.
Hvilken situasjon passer best til uttrykket?
Du hater å gå på ski, men kjæresten din elsker det. Du blir med for å gjøre henne glad.
Dette er et klassisk eksempel på et personlig kompromiss.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesVi måtte svelge en _______ for å bli enige om budsjettet.
Uttrykket er alltid 'å svelge en kamel'.
Læreren svelget en kamel og lot elevene bruke mobilen i timen.
Læreren aksepterte mobilbruk selv om han sannsynligvis var imot det.
Du hater å gå på ski, men kjæresten din elsker det. Du blir med for å gjøre henne glad.
Dette er et klassisk eksempel på et personlig kompromiss.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
2 questionsUsually yes, but you can say 'svelge kameler' (plural) if there are many concessions.
Yes, it's very common in informal settings too.
Expressions liées
å bite i det sure eplet
similarTo do something unpleasant because you have to.
å gå på akkord med
synonymTo compromise your values.
å inngå et forlik
specialized formTo reach a legal settlement.
