Meaning
To keep an option available.
Cultural Background
Norwegians value 'friluftsliv' and ventilation. Leaving a door 'på klem' is a literal daily habit to keep air fresh, which makes the metaphor very grounded in reality. In Norwegian flat-hierarchy workplaces, being too direct can be seen as aggressive. 'På klem' is a tool for 'soft power' and polite negotiation. Norway often acts as a peace mediator (e.g., Oslo Accords). The concept of keeping a door ajar is central to the 'Norwegian Model' of diplomacy. If you are invited to a 'dugnad' (community work) and can't go, saying you have a door on a klem is better than a flat 'no', as it shows you value the community.
Use it in Networking
This is the #1 phrase for LinkedIn messages in Norway. It makes you sound professional and thoughtful.
Don't over-use it
If you have too many 'doors on a klem', people might think you are unreliable or unable to make a decision.
Meaning
To keep an option available.
Use it in Networking
This is the #1 phrase for LinkedIn messages in Norway. It makes you sound professional and thoughtful.
Don't over-use it
If you have too many 'doors on a klem', people might think you are unreliable or unable to make a decision.
The 'Polite No'
Be aware that sometimes Norwegians say they have a 'dør på klem' just to be polite, even if they have no intention of returning.
Test Yourself
Fyll inn det manglende ordet i uttrykket.
Jeg vil ikke si ja med en gang, så jeg holder døren på ______.
'På klem' er den faste preposisjonsfrasen for dette uttrykket.
Hvilken situasjon passer best for uttrykket 'å ha en dør på klem'?
Hvilken situasjon er dette?
Dette handler om å beholde en mulighet (å dra på festen) uten å love det 100%.
Fullfør dialogen slik at den høres naturlig ut.
Sjef: 'Vi har dessverre ikke plass til deg nå.' Deg: 'Det er greit, men kan vi ______?'
Dette er den mest profesjonelle måten å si at du vil bli vurdert senere.
Match uttrykket med riktig betydning.
Match parrene:
Disse er vanlige norske idiomer knyttet til beslutninger.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJeg vil ikke si ja med en gang, så jeg holder døren på ______.
'På klem' er den faste preposisjonsfrasen for dette uttrykket.
Hvilken situasjon er dette?
Dette handler om å beholde en mulighet (å dra på festen) uten å love det 100%.
Sjef: 'Vi har dessverre ikke plass til deg nå.' Deg: 'Det er greit, men kan vi ______?'
Dette er den mest profesjonelle måten å si at du vil bli vurdert senere.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Disse er vanlige norske idiomer knyttet til beslutninger.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, absolutely! It is the standard way to say a door is slightly open. 'Døra står på klem.'
No. 'Åpen' means open (could be wide open). 'På klem' specifically means just a little bit open.
Yes, it is very common in professional correspondence to show you are open to future contact.
The opposite is 'å lukke døren helt' (to close the door completely) or 'å brenne broer' (to burn bridges).
No. While 'klem' usually means hug, in this specific phrase it refers to the position of the door.
Yes, 'på gløtt' is a perfect synonym and is very common in many Norwegian dialects.
Yes, it is used in both Bokmål and Nynorsk. In Nynorsk, you would say 'å ha ei dør på klem'.
Yes! 'Vinduet står på klem' is very common for ventilation.
You say: 'Jeg holder døren på klem.'
Usually positive or neutral. it's about being prepared and having options.
Related Phrases
å holde døren åpen
synonymTo keep the door open.
å brenne broer
contrastTo burn bridges.
å sitte på gjerdet
similarTo sit on the fence.
å se an situasjonen
builds onTo wait and see how the situation develops.
