Significado
To be in a difficult spot.
Contexto cultural
Norwegians often use this phrase with a sense of 'dugnad' (community spirit) failure. If you don't show up for a community task, you might be 'ute og kjøre' socially. In Norwegian flat-hierarchy workplaces, a boss might use this phrase about themselves to show vulnerability and encourage team problem-solving. The phrase is heavily used in skiing commentary when a skier loses their technique or line on the slope. On Norwegian Twitter/X, the phrase is often used to call out politicians or influencers who make logically flawed statements.
Use 'Helt' for Emphasis
If you want to sound like a native, add 'helt' (completely) before 'ute'. It makes the idiom much more natural and expressive.
The 'Og' Trap
Never write 'ute å kjøre'. Even though it sounds like 'å', the grammar requires 'og'. Using 'å' is a sign of a learner or a sloppy native writer.
Significado
To be in a difficult spot.
Use 'Helt' for Emphasis
If you want to sound like a native, add 'helt' (completely) before 'ute'. It makes the idiom much more natural and expressive.
The 'Og' Trap
Never write 'ute å kjøre'. Even though it sounds like 'å', the grammar requires 'og'. Using 'å' is a sign of a learner or a sloppy native writer.
Sarcasm Alert
This phrase is often used sarcastically to tell someone they are being ridiculous. 'Nå er du ute og kjøre, Per!'
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Hvis vi ikke rekker fristen, er vi helt ____ og ____.
The standard idiom is 'ute og kjøre'.
Which situation best fits the phrase 'å være ute og kjøre'?
Situasjon:
Forgetting your passport creates a difficult situation, which is what the idiom describes.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the phrase.
Lars: 'Hvordan går det med eksamenslesingen?' Mette: 'Uff, jeg ____ virkelig ____.'
Mette needs to use the verb 'er' (to be) and the correct 'og' spelling.
Match the intensity of the phrase to the situation.
Match: 1. Litt ute og kjøre, 2. Helt ute og kjøre
'Litt' is for minor issues, 'Helt' is for major crises.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Idiom Intensity
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosHvis vi ikke rekker fristen, er vi helt ____ og ____.
The standard idiom is 'ute og kjøre'.
Situasjon:
Forgetting your passport creates a difficult situation, which is what the idiom describes.
Lars: 'Hvordan går det med eksamenslesingen?' Mette: 'Uff, jeg ____ virkelig ____.'
Mette needs to use the verb 'er' (to be) and the correct 'og' spelling.
Match: 1. Litt ute og kjøre, 2. Helt ute og kjøre
'Litt' is for minor issues, 'Helt' is for major crises.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasTechnically yes, but it would be confusing. Use 'bilulykke' for an accident. This phrase is almost always figurative.
It depends on your relationship. In Norway's informal culture, it's often okay, but if the situation is very serious, it might sound too casual.
'På bærtur' is more about being 'clueless' or 'lost,' while 'ute og kjøre' is more about 'struggling' or 'failing.'
No, you can use it in any tense: 'Jeg var ute og kjøre' (I was in trouble), 'Jeg har vært ute og kjøre' (I have been in trouble).
In the idiom, yes, it usually stays as 'kjøre' regardless of the subject, though some dialects might conjugate it to 'kjører'. Stick to 'kjøre' to be safe.
Yes, 'ute og kjører' is also common and grammatically correct, but 'ute og kjøre' is the more 'idiomatic' fixed form.
You can use 'å være ute og kjøre' or 'å være på dypt vann'. Both work!
They have similar expressions, but 'ute og kjøre' is distinctly Norwegian. Swedes might say 'ute och cyklar' (out and cycling).
No, it is strictly for negative situations or mistakes.
It's an idiom that is used so frequently in casual speech that it borders on slang, but it's acceptable in most informal-to-neutral settings.
Frases relacionadas
å være på bærtur
similarTo be completely off-track or mistaken.
å drite på draget
similarTo make a big, embarrassing mistake.
å ha kontroll
contrastTo have everything under control.
å være i hardt vær
similarTo be in a difficult situation (literally 'hard weather').
