Meaning
To lose energy or effectiveness.
Cultural Background
In Swedish sports culture, 'tappa stinget' is the most common way for commentators to describe a team that has lost its momentum. It is seen as a fair, objective critique. Swedes value 'skärpa' (sharpness). In a workplace, saying someone has 'tappat stinget' is a common way to discuss performance issues during 'fika' without being too direct. Headlines in tabloids like Aftonbladet often use this phrase to describe celebrities or politicians whose popularity is declining. Swedish companies like IKEA or H&M are often analyzed in Swedish media using this idiom when they face tough competition.
Use it for 'The Spark'
If you're talking about a relationship where the 'spark' is gone, 'tappa stinget' is a very natural way to describe it without being too dramatic.
Don't use for objects
Remember, a phone doesn't 'tappa stinget' when the battery dies. Keep this for people, teams, and creative works.
Meaning
To lose energy or effectiveness.
Use it for 'The Spark'
If you're talking about a relationship where the 'spark' is gone, 'tappa stinget' is a very natural way to describe it without being too dramatic.
Don't use for objects
Remember, a phone doesn't 'tappa stinget' when the battery dies. Keep this for people, teams, and creative works.
The 'Lagom' Critique
This is the perfect 'polite' Swedish critique. It sounds more like a sad observation than a mean insult.
Test Yourself
Fyll i det saknade ordet i idiomet.
Zlatan spelar fortfarande, men många tycker att han har tappat _______.
Idiomet är 'tappa stinget'.
Vilken mening använder idiomet korrekt?
Välj rätt alternativ:
Idiomet används för att beskriva en minskning i kvalitet eller spänning, inte fysiska olyckor eller hunger.
Matcha situationen med rätt uttryck.
Dra streck mellan situation och uttryck:
Det är viktigt att skilja på bokstavlig betydelse (slö), prestationsförlust (tappa stinget) och motivationsförlust (tappa sugen).
Slutför dialogen med rätt form av idiomet.
A: Varför slutade du titta på serien? B: Den blev så tråkig. Den _______ helt.
Eftersom händelsen hände i dåtid (slutade titta) använder vi preteritum: 'tappade'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesZlatan spelar fortfarande, men många tycker att han har tappat _______.
Idiomet är 'tappa stinget'.
Välj rätt alternativ:
Idiomet används för att beskriva en minskning i kvalitet eller spänning, inte fysiska olyckor eller hunger.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Det är viktigt att skilja på bokstavlig betydelse (slö), prestationsförlust (tappa stinget) och motivationsförlust (tappa sugen).
A: Varför slutade du titta på serien? B: Den blev så tråkig. Den _______ helt.
Eftersom händelsen hände i dåtid (slutade titta) använder vi preteritum: 'tappade'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsYes! It's very common to say 'Jag har tappat stinget' if you feel you aren't performing as well as you used to at work or in a hobby.
It is always 'tappa stinget' (definite form). Saying 'tappa sting' sounds like you are missing a word.
Not really, but it is a critique. It's better to use it about public figures or yourself than to say it directly to a friend's face unless you are very close.
There isn't one perfect idiom, but you could say 'att vara på topp' (to be at the top) or 'att ha skärpan kvar' (to still have the sharpness).
Related Phrases
Tappa sugen
similarTo lose the will or desire to do something.
Förlora skärpan
synonymTo lose the sharpness.
Gå ner sig
builds onTo let oneself go or decline significantly.
Bli uddlös
synonymTo become blunt/pointless.
