Signification
To accept a task beyond one's capability.
Contexte culturel
Norwegians value 'fritid' (free time). Admitting you have taken on too much is a way to protect your work-life balance. In the workplace, it is better to say you have taken on too much early than to fail to deliver later. Students often use this when they realize their thesis topic is too broad. Similar concepts exist in Sweden ('ta sig vatten över huvudet') and Denmark ('tage sig vand over hovedet').
Use it as a warning
You can use this to warn friends: 'Ikke ta deg vann over hodet!'
Reflexive pronoun
Don't forget the 'seg'. It's the most common error.
Signification
To accept a task beyond one's capability.
Use it as a warning
You can use this to warn friends: 'Ikke ta deg vann over hodet!'
Reflexive pronoun
Don't forget the 'seg'. It's the most common error.
Be honest
In Norway, it's okay to admit you've taken on too much.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing part of the idiom.
Jeg tror jeg har tatt meg vann over ________.
The idiom is 'å ta seg vann over hodet'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Choose the correct sentence:
Option A uses the correct reflexive 'seg' and the correct metaphorical context.
Match the phrase with its meaning.
Match the idiom to the definition.
The idiom means to overestimate one's own capacity.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Jeg sa ja til å jobbe hver helg.' B: 'Det høres ut som du har ________.'
The context implies overcommitment.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesJeg tror jeg har tatt meg vann over ________.
The idiom is 'å ta seg vann over hodet'.
Choose the correct sentence:
Option A uses the correct reflexive 'seg' and the correct metaphorical context.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
The idiom means to overestimate one's own capacity.
A: 'Jeg sa ja til å jobbe hver helg.' B: 'Det høres ut som du har ________.'
The context implies overcommitment.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsNo, it is strictly metaphorical.
It is neutral and works in most settings.
It makes the verb reflexive, meaning you did it to yourself.
Yes, it is very common.
Jeg tok meg vann over hodet.
Yes, 'in over one's head' is the exact equivalent.
Yes, it's perfect for projects.
No, it's a standard way to express stress.
People will understand, but it might sound unnatural.
Yes, 'å gape over for mye'.
Yes, it's fine for professional emails.
It's a quick idiom to pick up.
Expressions liées
å gape over for mye
synonymTo open mouth too wide
å bite over mer enn man kan tygge
synonymTo bite more than one can chew
å ha for mye på tallerkenen
similarTo have too much on the plate
å brenne ut
builds onTo burn out
