Meaning
To keep activity or interest alive.
Cultural Background
In Danish business culture, 'at holde gryden i kog' is seen as a positive trait of a 'selvstændig' (independent) employee who takes initiative without being asked. The phrase is common across Scandinavia (Swedish: 'hålla grytan kokande'), reflecting shared agricultural roots and hearth-centered history. Tabloids like 'Ekstra Bladet' often use this phrase when they are trying to keep a celebrity scandal alive for several days. Teachers often use this to encourage students to keep practicing their language skills during the summer break.
Use it in Job Interviews
Danish employers love the word 'momentum'. If you say you are good at 'at holde gryden i kog' on projects, you sound like a proactive team player.
Don't use with 'Vand'
Never say 'holde vandet i kog' unless you are literally boiling water for pasta. The idiom requires 'gryden'.
Meaning
To keep activity or interest alive.
Use it in Job Interviews
Danish employers love the word 'momentum'. If you say you are good at 'at holde gryden i kog' on projects, you sound like a proactive team player.
Don't use with 'Vand'
Never say 'holde vandet i kog' unless you are literally boiling water for pasta. The idiom requires 'gryden'.
Test Yourself
Udfyld det manglende ord i sætningen.
Vi skal sende en opdatering til chefen for at holde ______ i kog.
Idiomet er altid 'at holde gryden i kog'.
Hvilken sætning bruger idiomet korrekt?
Vælg den rigtige sætning:
Her bruges den korrekte datidsform 'holdt' og den rigtige præposition 'i'.
Match situationen med den bedste brug af idiomet.
Du vil gerne sikre dig, at dine kunder ikke glemmer din butik i januar.
At bruge et tilbud til at vedligeholde interesse er præcis, hvad idiomet betyder.
Færdiggør dialogen.
A: 'Tror du, de stadig er interesserede i vores hus?' B: 'Ja, men vi skal ______.'
Man skal holde interessen ved lige hos køberne.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesVi skal sende en opdatering til chefen for at holde ______ i kog.
Idiomet er altid 'at holde gryden i kog'.
Vælg den rigtige sætning:
Her bruges den korrekte datidsform 'holdt' og den rigtige præposition 'i'.
Du vil gerne sikre dig, at dine kunder ikke glemmer din butik i januar.
At bruge et tilbud til at vedligeholde interesse er præcis, hvad idiomet betyder.
A: 'Tror du, de stadig er interesserede i vores hus?' B: 'Ja, men vi skal ______.'
Man skal holde interessen ved lige hos køberne.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your friends. It's very common in newspapers.
Yes, you can 'holde gryden i kog' with a person (like a client or a date) to keep them interested.
The past tense is 'holdt gryden i kog'. Example: 'Vi holdt gryden i kog hele ugen.'
Yes, 'at røre i gryden' is usually negative, but 'at holde gryden i kog' is usually positive or neutral.
You can, but it's not the standard idiom. 'I kog' implies more active energy than just 'varm' (warm).
Related Phrases
at holde dampen oppe
similarTo keep the steam up / maintain high energy.
at holde gang i den
synonymTo keep things going.
at røre i gryden
similarTo stir the pot.
at lade noget syde
builds onTo let something simmer.
