Meaning
To accept a difficult task.
Cultural Background
In Danish work culture, taking initiative is highly valued. Saying you will 'tage udfordringen op' shows you are a 'selvstændig' (independent) worker. The phrase is used across Scandinavia (Swedish: 'ta upp utmaningen', Norwegian: 'ta utfordringen'). It reflects a shared Viking-era heritage of facing fate bravely. In international Danish companies like Maersk or LEGO, this phrase is part of the corporate DNA, signaling a 'can-do' attitude. Danish sports commentators use this constantly when a small team plays against a giant like F.C. Copenhagen.
Use it in Interviews
This is a 'magic phrase' in Danish job interviews. It signals that you are not just a worker, but a problem-solver.
Don't forget the 'OP'
Without 'op', the phrase loses its idiomatic power and just sounds like you are physically holding something.
Meaning
To accept a difficult task.
Use it in Interviews
This is a 'magic phrase' in Danish job interviews. It signals that you are not just a worker, but a problem-solver.
Don't forget the 'OP'
Without 'op', the phrase loses its idiomatic power and just sounds like you are physically holding something.
The 'Gauntlet' alternative
If you want to sound very sophisticated in a speech, use 'tage handsken op' instead.
Test Yourself
Udfyld det manglende ord i sætningen.
Han var bange i starten, men til sidst valgte han at tage udfordringen ___.
Idiomet er 'at tage udfordringen op'.
Hvilken sætning er grammatisk korrekt?
Vælg den rigtige form:
Partiklen 'op' skal stå efter navneordet 'udfordringen'.
Match det danske udtryk med den engelske betydning.
Match:
Disse to udtryk er de mest præcise ækvivalenter.
Færdiggør dialogen så den lyder naturlig.
Chef: 'Det her projekt er meget svært. Tør du?' Medarbejder: 'Ja, ___.'
Dette er det mest professionelle og korrekte svar.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Tage imod vs. Tage op
Practice Bank
4 exercisesHan var bange i starten, men til sidst valgte han at tage udfordringen ___.
Idiomet er 'at tage udfordringen op'.
Vælg den rigtige form:
Partiklen 'op' skal stå efter navneordet 'udfordringen'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Disse to udtryk er de mest præcise ækvivalenter.
Chef: 'Det her projekt er meget svært. Tør du?' Medarbejder: 'Ja, ___.'
Dette er det mest professionelle og korrekte svar.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, if you are discussing something serious like a workout or a new project. For small things, it's too formal.
Yes: 'at tage udfordringerne op'.
'Acceptere' is a loanword and feels more clinical. 'Tage op' is more vivid and Danish.
Yes, this means you are accepting a challenge issued specifically by that person.
Constantly. Look for it in headlines about politics and business.
No, it only describes the act of starting and committing to the task.
Metaphorically, yes. 'Han tog udfordringen op i debatten.'
Usually, unless you add a prepositional phrase: 'Han tog udfordringen op *med det samme*.'
Jeg ønsker ikke at tage udfordringen op.
Yes, examiners love to see this kind of collocation in the written part.
Related Phrases
at tage handsken op
synonymTo accept a challenge (idiomatic)
at kaste håndklædet i ringen
contrastTo give up / throw in the towel
at bide i det sure æble
similarTo bite the bullet
at løfte i flok
builds onTo lift as a group
at gå forrest
specialized formTo lead the way
