Signification
To remain flexible about a future possibility.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is a linguistic manifestation of 'beslutsångest'. Swedes often use it to avoid social friction and maintain harmony. In American business, 'keeping options open' is seen as a sign of power and leverage, whereas in Sweden it's more about consensus. Directly saying you are 'keeping it open' might be seen as too blunt. Japanese speakers use more vague 'implication' verbs. Germans use 'offen halten' similarly, but often with a more rigid expectation of when the 'open' state will end.
The 'Det' Trick
If you're unsure, just say 'Jag håller det öppet'. The 'det' acts as a placeholder for whatever plan you're talking about.
Don't over-use it
Using this too much can make you sound indecisive or flaky (ombytlig).
Signification
To remain flexible about a future possibility.
The 'Det' Trick
If you're unsure, just say 'Jag håller det öppet'. The 'det' acts as a placeholder for whatever plan you're talking about.
Don't over-use it
Using this too much can make you sound indecisive or flaky (ombytlig).
The Polite No
Sometimes, 'Jag håller öppet för det' is a very soft way of saying 'probably not'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to complete the phrase.
Vi vill ______ ______ för att ändra oss senare.
The infinitive 'hålla' is needed after 'vill', and 'öppet' is the correct neuter form.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A: Jag håller dörren öppet för dig. B: Jag håller öppet för ditt förslag.
In A, 'öppet' should be 'öppen' to agree with 'dörren'. B uses the idiom correctly.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
Ska du med på resan? - Jag vet inte än, jag ______ ______ ______ det.
This is the standard way to express that you are still considering a possibility.
Match the phrase variation to the situation.
Which phrase fits a situation where a deal is almost dead but there's a tiny chance left?
'På glänt' (ajar) implies a very small, precarious opening.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to keep it open
Work
- • Job offers
- • Project dates
- • New ideas
Social
- • Fika
- • Parties
- • Trips
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesVi vill ______ ______ för att ändra oss senare.
The infinitive 'hålla' is needed after 'vill', and 'öppet' is the correct neuter form.
A: Jag håller dörren öppet för dig. B: Jag håller öppet för ditt förslag.
In A, 'öppet' should be 'öppen' to agree with 'dörren'. B uses the idiom correctly.
Ska du med på resan? - Jag vet inte än, jag ______ ______ ______ det.
This is the standard way to express that you are still considering a possibility.
Which phrase fits a situation where a deal is almost dead but there's a tiny chance left?
'På glänt' (ajar) implies a very small, precarious opening.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsIn the idiom 'hålla öppet för', it is always 'öppet'. Use 'öppen' only if you are talking about a specific 'en-word' like 'dörren'.
No, you don't 'hålla öppet för en person' unless you mean you are keeping a job position open for them.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
'Kanske' is just 'maybe'. 'Hålla öppet för' implies you are actively making sure the option stays available.
Expressions liées
lämna dörren på glänt
similarTo leave the door ajar
se tiden an
similarTo wait and see
stänga dörren för
contrastTo close the door to
vara öppen för
similarTo be open to
hålla alla dörrar öppna
builds onTo keep all doors open
