Meaning
Ignoring a problem.
Cultural Background
Danes value 'tryghed' (security) and 'hygge'. Sometimes, this leads to 'berøringsangst' where people 'lukker øjnene' for social conflicts to keep the peace. In Danish flat-hierarchy workplaces, there is an expectation that everyone speaks up. 'Lukke øjnene' is seen as a failure of this democratic duty. The phrase is a 'power phrase' in Danish politics. Using it suggests the opponent is either cowardly or incompetent. The Nordic model relies on high trust. If people 'lukker øjnene' for tax evasion or welfare fraud, the system is seen as being at risk.
The 'For' Rule
Always remember the preposition 'for'. Without it, the sentence is incomplete or literal.
Don't use for 'Sleep'
If you are tired, just say 'Jeg lukker øjnene'. Adding 'for noget' makes it a social critique!
Meaning
Ignoring a problem.
The 'For' Rule
Always remember the preposition 'for'. Without it, the sentence is incomplete or literal.
Don't use for 'Sleep'
If you are tired, just say 'Jeg lukker øjnene'. Adding 'for noget' makes it a social critique!
Political Power
Use this in a Danish exam about social issues to sound like a native commentator.
Test Yourself
Udfyld det manglende ord i sætningen.
Vi kan ikke lukke ______ for klimaforandringerne.
Idiomet bruger altid pluralis-formen 'øjnene'.
Hvilken præposition er korrekt?
Han lukkede øjnene ____ sine venners fejl.
Man lukker øjnene 'for' noget på dansk.
Match situationen med den rigtige brug af idiomet.
En chef ser en medarbejder stjæle, men gør ingenting.
Dette er en klassisk brug af idiomet, hvor man ignorerer en alvorlig handling.
Færdiggør dialogen.
A: 'Jeg tror, min kæreste lyver.' B: 'Du må ikke ______.'
'Sandheden' (the truth) er et meget almindeligt objekt for dette idiom.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesVi kan ikke lukke ______ for klimaforandringerne.
Idiomet bruger altid pluralis-formen 'øjnene'.
Han lukkede øjnene ____ sine venners fejl.
Man lukker øjnene 'for' noget på dansk.
En chef ser en medarbejder stjæle, men gør ingenting.
Dette er en klassisk brug af idiomet, hvor man ignorerer en alvorlig handling.
A: 'Jeg tror, min kæreste lyver.' B: 'Du må ikke ______.'
'Sandheden' (the truth) er et meget almindeligt objekt for dette idiom.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsNo, 'for' is the only correct preposition for this idiom.
It can be. It implies they are being irresponsible or cowardly. Use it carefully in personal relationships.
'At ignorere' is a neutral verb. 'At lukke øjnene for' is more descriptive and suggests a deliberate choice to avoid an obvious truth.
Yes: 'Han lukkede øjnene for problemet' (He closed his eyes to the problem).
Not really. It is almost always used for ignoring something negative or problematic.
Related Phrases
At se gennem fingre med noget
similarTo overlook something (usually a minor fault).
At stikke hovedet i busken
synonymTo bury one's head in the sand.
At lade som ingenting
similarTo act as if nothing is happening.
At vende det blinde øje til
synonymTo turn a blind eye.
