Meaning
Being finished with something.
Cultural Background
The phrase reflects the 'Lagom' mindset—not getting too excited or greedy. It's a way of policing social expectations. In Finland-Swedish, the phrase is also used but can sometimes be replaced by 'Se i månen efter något'. On Swedish Twitter/X, this phrase is often used to mock politicians or celebrities whose plans have failed. Commentators use it to describe a 'puncture' in a team's morale or chances.
Use with 'Efter'
Always add 'efter [thing]' to sound more natural and specific. It clarifies exactly what is being given up.
Watch the Tone
This can be very rude. Use it with friends or when you are intentionally being firm. Don't use it with your grandma unless she's very cool.
Meaning
Being finished with something.
Use with 'Efter'
Always add 'efter [thing]' to sound more natural and specific. It clarifies exactly what is being given up.
Watch the Tone
This can be very rude. Use it with friends or when you are intentionally being firm. Don't use it with your grandma unless she's very cool.
The Sarcastic Edge
Swedes love using this sarcastically. If someone says 'I'm going to be a millionaire tomorrow,' a dry 'Torka dig om munnen' is the perfect response.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct reflexive pronoun and preposition.
Om du tror att du får låna min nya cykel kan du torka ___ ___ munnen!
The subject is 'du', so the reflexive pronoun must be 'dig'. The standard preposition for the mouth is 'om'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly to mean 'forget about it'?
Which one is correct?
This sentence uses the idiom figuratively to describe a lost chance at winning.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: Tror du att vi får sluta tidigt idag? B: Nej, chefen är på dåligt humör, så...
This is the natural idiomatic way to say 'forget about it' in a casual workplace setting.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You just found out your favorite band cancelled their Swedish tour.
This is the most common way to express general resignation to a situation.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesOm du tror att du får låna min nya cykel kan du torka ___ ___ munnen!
The subject is 'du', so the reflexive pronoun must be 'dig'. The standard preposition for the mouth is 'om'.
Which one is correct?
This sentence uses the idiom figuratively to describe a lost chance at winning.
A: Tror du att vi får sluta tidigt idag? B: Nej, chefen är på dåligt humör, så...
This is the natural idiomatic way to say 'forget about it' in a casual workplace setting.
You just found out your favorite band cancelled their Swedish tour.
This is the most common way to express general resignation to a situation.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsBoth are used, but 'om munnen' is much more common in modern Swedish. 'I munnen' sounds slightly more dialectal or old-fashioned.
No, it is too informal. Use 'Vi får tyvärr konstatera att...' (We must unfortunately state that...) instead.
Yes, it always refers to a disappointment or a denied request. It's never used for positive surprises.
It is 'oss'. Example: 'Vi får torka oss om munnen.'
No, it's not an insult to the person's character. It's a comment on their expectations. It's closer to 'Kiss it goodbye'.
Absolutely! Like when the last cookie is gone. 'Torka dig om munnen efter kakan!'
You could say 'Det blir tyvärr inget med det' (There won't be anything with that).
Han fick torka sig om munnen.
Yes, very often in crime dramas or comedies when a plan fails.
If you use it literally, yes. But if you say 'Torka dig om munnen efter maten' idiomaticly, it means 'You're not getting any food'.
Related Phrases
Se sig om i månen efter något
synonymTo look for something in the moon (i.e., it's not there).
Kamma sig
similarTo comb oneself / Get it together.
Dra ett streck över något
builds onTo draw a line over something / To move on.
Bita i det sura äpplet
contrastTo bite the sour apple / To do something unpleasant.
