Meaning
to have all the advantages
Cultural Background
In Norwegian business culture, having 'alle kortene på hånden' is often balanced by the value of 'fairness'. Even if you have all the power, it is considered good form to not exploit the other party completely. Card games like 'Hjerterkonge' and 'Bridge' are historically significant in Nordic social life, which is why card metaphors are so prevalent in the language. With the rise of the tech industry in Oslo, this phrase is increasingly used to describe 'talent wars' where highly skilled developers 'har alle kortene på hånden'. The phrase is a favorite among Norwegian political commentators on NRK and TV2 to describe coalition building.
The 'Sitte' Variation
Use 'sitte med' instead of 'ha' to sound more like a native speaker when describing a long-term advantage.
Preposition Trap
Never say 'i hånden' unless you are literally holding physical objects. It's the #1 mistake for learners.
Meaning
to have all the advantages
The 'Sitte' Variation
Use 'sitte med' instead of 'ha' to sound more like a native speaker when describing a long-term advantage.
Preposition Trap
Never say 'i hånden' unless you are literally holding physical objects. It's the #1 mistake for learners.
Don't Brag
Even if you have all the cards, saying 'Jeg har alle kortene på hånden' about yourself can sound arrogant in Norway. Use it to describe others or the situation instead.
Test Yourself
Fyll inn riktig preposisjon.
Han sitter med alle kortene ___ hånden.
Vi bruker alltid 'på' i dette idiomet.
Hvilken situasjon passer best for dette uttrykket?
Når kan du si at du har alle kortene på hånden?
Dette gir deg en stor fordel (monopol), som er det idiomet betyr.
Fullfør dialogen.
A: Tror du vi får kontrakten? B: Ja, vi er de eneste som leverte anbud, så vi ___.
Siden de er de eneste som leverte anbud, har de alle fordelene.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesHan sitter med alle kortene ___ hånden.
Vi bruker alltid 'på' i dette idiomet.
Når kan du si at du har alle kortene på hånden?
Dette gir deg en stor fordel (monopol), som er det idiomet betyr.
A: Tror du vi får kontrakten? B: Ja, vi er de eneste som leverte anbud, så vi ___.
Siden de er de eneste som leverte anbud, har de alle fordelene.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsUsually, yes. It describes having an advantage. However, it can be used neutrally to describe a factual power balance.
Both are correct. 'Hånden' is more formal/standard, 'hånda' is more common in dialects and informal speech.
Yes, but it's less idiomatic and might be taken literally.
Extremely common, especially in the 'Økonomi' (Economy) and 'Politikk' (Politics) sections.
There isn't one single idiom, but you could say 'å være i en svak posisjon' (to be in a weak position).
No, it implies you were dealt a good hand or worked hard to get into that position.
Yes, if one person has all the power in the relationship, but it sounds a bit cynical.
It's B2 because of the metaphorical usage and the specific preposition 'på'.
No, that's a different idiom meaning 'to be honest'.
In Oslo, the 'rt' is a retroflex sound. In Bergen, the 'r' is trilled.
Yes, very often to describe a team that is dominating.
Yes, 'besitte' is more formal and sounds very professional.
Not at all. It is used daily in modern Norwegian society.
In this idiom, yes, that is the origin, but it represents 'advantages' in real life.
Related Phrases
å sitte med trumf på hånden
similarTo have a decisive advantage.
å legge kortene på bordet
contrastTo be honest and reveal one's intentions.
å spille sine kort godt
builds onTo handle a situation skillfully.
å ha et ess i ermet
similarTo have a secret advantage.
å kaste kortene
contrastTo give up.
