Meaning
Literal: to carry water. Usually about plans.
Cultural Background
Carrying water was historically a task for children or servants, often seen as a never-ending chore. This contributes to the idiom's sense of 'wasted labor.' In many Northern cultures, water is both a life-giver and a symbol of loss (drowning, washing away). This duality is present in Estonian idioms. Even in the 'e-Estonia' era, this agrarian idiom remains popular in tech startups to describe failed sprints or features.
Use with 'läks'
90% of the time, you will use this in the past tense 'läks' (singular) or 'läksid' (plural).
Don't use for people
Never say 'Sa läksid vett vedama' to mean someone failed. It sounds like they literally went to fetch water.
Meaning
Literal: to carry water. Usually about plans.
Use with 'läks'
90% of the time, you will use this in the past tense 'läks' (singular) or 'läksid' (plural).
Don't use for people
Never say 'Sa läksid vett vedama' to mean someone failed. It sounds like they literally went to fetch water.
Add 'täiega'
To sound very native, add 'täiega' (totally): 'See läks täiega vett vedama!'
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word in the idiom.
Meie puhkus läks ______ vedama.
The idiom always uses the partitive case 'vett.'
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Choose the correct option:
The idiom describes a plan or effort (vaev) failing.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You planned a concert, but the singer lost their voice.
Both 'vett vedama' and 'aia taha' can be used for failed plans.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kas sa said selle tööotsa? B: Ei, kahjuks ______.
The past tense 'läks' is used to describe the failed opportunity.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMeie puhkus läks ______ vedama.
The idiom always uses the partitive case 'vett.'
Choose the correct option:
The idiom describes a plan or effort (vaev) failing.
You planned a concert, but the singer lost their voice.
Both 'vett vedama' and 'aia taha' can be used for failed plans.
A: Kas sa said selle tööotsa? B: Ei, kahjuks ______.
The past tense 'läks' is used to describe the failed opportunity.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsNo, it's not rude. It's a standard idiom, though informal. You can use it with friends, colleagues, and even your boss if the atmosphere is relaxed.
It's better to say 'Tema eksam läks vett vedama' (His exam failed) rather than 'Tema läks vett vedama.'
'Vett vedama' sounds a bit more casual and implies wasted effort. 'Luhta minema' is slightly more formal and just means it didn't happen.
Yes, especially in journalism and blogs, but less so in formal legal or academic writing.
Yes, the idiom is fixed. You cannot say 'piima vedama' (carrying milk).
Related Phrases
Aiataha minema
synonymTo go behind the garden (to fail/botch).
Luhta minema
synonymTo go to the flood-meadow.
Kõrbema minema
similarTo burn (to fail spectacularly).
Põruma
similarTo crash/fail.
