Signification
To tell a tall tale.
Contexte culturel
Swedes value 'ärlighet' (honesty) highly, but they also love 'skrönor' (tall tales), especially in the north (Norrland). In business, 'dra en vals' is a subtle way to suggest someone is being 'economical with the truth' without causing a scene. Tabloids often use this phrase in headlines when a celebrity's story is debunked. The concept of 'drängar' (farmhands) telling tall tales in the barn is a staple of Swedish literature.
Use it to soften the blow
If you know someone is lying, saying 'Drar du en vals?' is much friendlier than saying 'Du ljuger!'
Don't use with 'spela'
If you say 'spela en vals', people will look for a violin!
Signification
To tell a tall tale.
Use it to soften the blow
If you know someone is lying, saying 'Drar du en vals?' is much friendlier than saying 'Du ljuger!'
Don't use with 'spela'
If you say 'spela en vals', people will look for a violin!
The 'Wink' Factor
This idiom often implies that the speaker knows you're lying, and you know they know. It's a social game.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'dra'.
Han ______ en vals för polisen igår.
The word 'igår' (yesterday) requires the past tense (preterite), which is 'drog'.
What does 'dra en vals' mean?
Om jag drar en vals, vad gör jag då?
'Dra en vals' is an idiom for lying or telling a tall tale.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural phrase.
A: Jag såg ett UFO i morse! B: Äsch, sluta ______!
In response to an unbelievable story, 'dra en vals' is the perfect idiom.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Which situation best fits 'dra en vals'?
This is a classic 'tall tale' scenario.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesHan ______ en vals för polisen igår.
The word 'igår' (yesterday) requires the past tense (preterite), which is 'drog'.
Om jag drar en vals, vad gör jag då?
'Dra en vals' is an idiom for lying or telling a tall tale.
A: Jag såg ett UFO i morse! B: Äsch, sluta ______!
In response to an unbelievable story, 'dra en vals' is the perfect idiom.
Which situation best fits 'dra en vals'?
This is a classic 'tall tale' scenario.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot necessarily. It's informal and can be playful, but in a very serious setting, it might seem dismissive.
Usually, it's for smaller, more creative lies. For a huge betrayal, use 'ljuga'.
The past tense is 'drog en vals'. Example: 'Han drog en vals igår.'
It is specific to the Swedish language, though other languages have similar metaphors.
No, the idiom only works with 'vals'.
It's common in fiction and journalism, but not in formal reports.
Usually, yes. A 'vals' implies some level of detail or 'dancing' around the point.
No, for a joke use 'dra en vits'.
It has old roots but is still very much in use by all ages today.
You can say 'Jag drar inte en vals, det är sant!'
Expressions liées
dra en rövare
similarTo tell a bold, daring lie.
ljuga ihop något
synonymTo fabricate something.
slå blå dunster i ögonen på någon
similarTo deceive someone (throw dust in eyes).
hitta på
builds onTo invent/make up.
