Meaning
Obtaining something desired.
Cultural Background
Danes love a good 'kup' (bargain). Using this phrase when you find something cheap or rare is a common social bonding tool. The phrase reflects a 'hands-on' approach to life. It's common in Sweden (få fingrarna på) and Norway (få fingrene i) as well, showing shared linguistic roots. In Danish workplaces, hierarchy is flat, and language is informal. A boss might use this phrase to encourage employees to 'get' a new client. Denmark is one of the most digital countries. This phrase is now heavily used for 'getting' digital assets, like NFTs or rare usernames.
Use it for 'Finds'
Use this phrase when you want to sound like you've made a great discovery or a lucky purchase.
Preposition Alert
Always use 'i', never 'på'. This is the most common mistake for English speakers.
Meaning
Obtaining something desired.
Use it for 'Finds'
Use this phrase when you want to sound like you've made a great discovery or a lucky purchase.
Preposition Alert
Always use 'i', never 'på'. This is the most common mistake for English speakers.
Past Tense is Key
You will use 'fik fingrene i' much more often than the present tense, as we usually talk about things we already got.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Jeg håber, at jeg kan få _______ _ de nye billetter.
The correct form is always 'fingrene' (definite plural) followed by the preposition 'i'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly in the past tense?
Which one is correct?
'Fik' is the past tense of 'at få'.
Match the situation with the most natural use of the idiom.
Match: 1. Sold out concert, 2. Finding a rare coin, 3. Getting a new job.
The idiom works for all three situations involving acquisition of something desired.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Hvor har du købt den trøje?' B: 'Jeg ____ ________ _ den i en genbrugsbutik.'
Since the purchase happened in the past, 'fik fingrene i' is the natural choice.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJeg håber, at jeg kan få _______ _ de nye billetter.
The correct form is always 'fingrene' (definite plural) followed by the preposition 'i'.
Which one is correct?
'Fik' is the past tense of 'at få'.
Match: 1. Sold out concert, 2. Finding a rare coin, 3. Getting a new job.
The idiom works for all three situations involving acquisition of something desired.
A: 'Hvor har du købt den trøje?' B: 'Jeg ____ ________ _ den i en genbrugsbutik.'
Since the purchase happened in the past, 'fik fingrene i' is the natural choice.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but be careful. It can sound like you are 'catching' someone or it can be slightly objectifying. 'Hun fik fingrene i en god mand' is okay in a joking way.
No, it's not rude, but it is informal. Don't use it in a legal document or a very formal speech.
'Få fat i' is more general. 'Få fingrene i' implies a bit more effort or that the item was desirable/scarce.
No, we don't usually use the possessive 'mine' in this idiom. Just 'fingrene'.
Yes, very often! 'Vi skal få fingrene i det marked' (We need to get into that market).
Not necessarily. You can 'få fingrene i' information, a seat, or an opportunity.
Jeg kan ikke få fingrene i det.
Yes, especially in consumer news or sports (getting a new player).
People will understand you, but it will sound like a direct translation from English.
Yes! 'Jeg fik endelig fingrene i den specielle chili.'
Related Phrases
at få fat i
synonymTo get hold of something.
at få fingrene i klemme
similarTo get into trouble.
at lægge beslag på
specialized formTo seize or occupy.
at få fingre i
variationTo get fingers in.
