Bedeutung
To be honest and reveal everything.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Swedes value 'rak kommunikation' (direct communication). Using this phrase is seen as a sign of strength and maturity, especially in the workplace. In Swedish 'fika' meetings, this phrase might be used to transition from small talk to the 'real' issue at hand. Because Swedes can be reserved, using this phrase in dating is a very clear signal that you want to move past the 'polite' stage and be serious. Swedish journalists often use this phrase when interviewing politicians to demand transparency about tax spending or policy shifts.
The 'Softener' Trick
Start with 'Om jag ska vara helt ärlig...' (If I'm going to be completely honest...) before saying '...och lägga korten på bordet'. It makes you sound very native.
Don't over-use it!
If you use this phrase every day, people will start to wonder why you have so many secrets to reveal!
Bedeutung
To be honest and reveal everything.
The 'Softener' Trick
Start with 'Om jag ska vara helt ärlig...' (If I'm going to be completely honest...) before saying '...och lägga korten på bordet'. It makes you sound very native.
Don't over-use it!
If you use this phrase every day, people will start to wonder why you have so many secrets to reveal!
The Swedish 'Silence'
Sometimes a Swede will wait for YOU to lay the cards on the table by just staying silent. Don't be afraid of the pause.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Det är dags att vi lägger _______ på _______.
The standard idiom is 'lägga korten på bordet'.
Which verb is correct for this idiom?
Jag vill _______ korten på bordet.
In Swedish, you 'lägger' (lay) cards because they are flat.
In which situation is it MOST appropriate to use this phrase?
Situation: You are telling your friend that you accidentally broke their phone.
It's a great way to 'prime' the listener for a difficult truth.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Varför är du så hemlighetsfull? B: Du har rätt. Jag ska ________________.
'Lägga korten på bordet' is the only phrase here that means revealing a secret.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Honesty Idioms
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenDet är dags att vi lägger _______ på _______.
The standard idiom is 'lägga korten på bordet'.
Jag vill _______ korten på bordet.
In Swedish, you 'lägger' (lay) cards because they are flat.
Situation: You are telling your friend that you accidentally broke their phone.
It's a great way to 'prime' the listener for a difficult truth.
A: Varför är du så hemlighetsfull? B: Du har rätt. Jag ska ________________.
'Lägga korten på bordet' is the only phrase here that means revealing a secret.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, it's actually considered respectful because it shows you value the other person enough to be honest.
Yes! It's very common in texts when someone wants to clear up a misunderstanding.
Lade korten på bordet. Example: 'Igår lade jag korten på bordet.'
Not exactly, but 'köra med öppna kort' is a bit more casual.
You can, but 'lägga korten' (the cards) is much more common and natural.
Rarely. It's almost exclusively for information, feelings, or plans.
Not necessarily lying, but it does imply you were withholding some information.
Absolutely. It's perfect for 'coming clean' about something.
'Sanningen ska fram' (the truth shall out) is more aggressive, like a threat. 'Lägga korten på bordet' is more of a choice.
Yes, it is used exactly the same way in Finland.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Spela med öppna kort
similarTo act with transparency throughout a process.
Tala ur skägget
similarTo speak clearly and get to the point.
Mörka
contrastTo hide information or keep someone in the dark.
Rent spel
builds onFair play.
Kasta in handduken
contrastTo give up (throw in the towel).
