Meaning
Concentrating on a difficult task.
Cultural Background
In Norwegian work culture, 'flat hierarchy' means everyone is expected to 'holde tunga rett i munnen' regardless of their rank. Precision is a shared responsibility. The idiom is frequently used in 'Dugnad' (community volunteer work) when people are doing unfamiliar tasks like painting a fence or fixing a playground. Norwegian sports commentators use this constantly during winter sports, especially in the shooting range of a biathlon.
Use it for empathy
If a friend is struggling with a task, say 'Her gjelder det å holde tunga rett i munnen!' to show you understand it's hard.
Don't translate literally
If you say 'Keep your tongue straight' in English, people will think you are talking about a speech impediment.
Meaning
Concentrating on a difficult task.
Use it for empathy
If a friend is struggling with a task, say 'Her gjelder det å holde tunga rett i munnen!' to show you understand it's hard.
Don't translate literally
If you say 'Keep your tongue straight' in English, people will think you are talking about a speech impediment.
Test Yourself
Fyll ut de manglende ordene i uttrykket.
Når man skal montere en ny PC, må man holde ______ rett i ______.
Det riktige uttrykket er 'å holde tunga rett i munnen'.
Hvilken situasjon passer best for dette uttrykket?
Når bør du si 'Vi må holde tunga rett i munnen'?
Uttrykket brukes når noe krever mye konsentrasjon.
Fullfør dialogen.
A: Er denne oppgaven vanskelig? B: Ja, her gjelder det å ________.
'Holde tunga rett i munnen' betyr å konsentrere seg om noe vanskelig.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesNår man skal montere en ny PC, må man holde ______ rett i ______.
Det riktige uttrykket er 'å holde tunga rett i munnen'.
Når bør du si 'Vi må holde tunga rett i munnen'?
Uttrykket brukes når noe krever mye konsentrasjon.
A: Er denne oppgaven vanskelig? B: Ja, her gjelder det å ________.
'Holde tunga rett i munnen' betyr å konsentrere seg om noe vanskelig.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsYes, 'tungen' is the masculine definite form. It sounds more formal or 'old-fashioned' (Riksmål). Most Norwegians say 'tunga'.
Yes, but in Nynorsk you would often say 'å halde tunga beint i munnen'.
No, it is perfectly neutral and professional. It shows you are taking a task seriously.
Related Phrases
Å holde hodet kaldt
similarTo stay calm under pressure.
Å være skjerpet
similarTo be alert and focused.
Å tråkke i salaten
contrastTo make a social blunder or mistake.
