Significado
To set a final limit.
Contexto cultural
In Danish politics, this phrase is often used by 'støttepartier' (supporting parties) to signal to the government that they will withdraw support if a certain policy is enacted. In international trade negotiations, drawing a line in the sand is a common tactic to test the other party's resolve. The historical origin with Popillius Laenas shows that the 'line' was originally a circle, emphasizing total entrapment and the need for an immediate decision. Influencers often use this phrase when they decide to stop sharing certain aspects of their private life due to privacy concerns.
Use the Past Tense
In news and stories, you will see 'trak' much more often than 'trækker'. Practice saying 'Han trak en streg i sandet'.
Don't Overuse
If you draw a line in the sand every day, people will stop taking your boundaries seriously. Save it for big moments.
Significado
To set a final limit.
Use the Past Tense
In news and stories, you will see 'trak' much more often than 'trækker'. Practice saying 'Han trak en streg i sandet'.
Don't Overuse
If you draw a line in the sand every day, people will stop taking your boundaries seriously. Save it for big moments.
Political Context
When you hear this on Danish TV (DR or TV2), it almost always means a political party is threatening to leave a negotiation.
Teste-se
Udfyld det manglende ord i datid (past tense).
Da forhandlingerne gik i stå, ___ direktøren en streg i sandet.
Sætningen kræver datid (past tense), og datid af 'at trække' er 'trak'.
Hvilken situation passer bedst til udtrykket?
Hvornår ville du trække en streg i sandet?
Udtrykket bruges til at sætte en fast grænse i en konflikt.
Vælg det rigtige svar for at færdiggøre dialogen.
A: 'Han bliver ved med at låne mine penge uden at betale tilbage.' B: '___'
At trække en streg i sandet betyder her at stoppe den dårlige opførsel.
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
3 exerciciosDa forhandlingerne gik i stå, ___ direktøren en streg i sandet.
Sætningen kræver datid (past tense), og datid af 'at trække' er 'trak'.
Hvornår ville du trække en streg i sandet?
Udtrykket bruges til at sætte en fast grænse i en konflikt.
A: 'Han bliver ved med at låne mine penge uden at betale tilbage.' B: '___'
At trække en streg i sandet betyder her at stoppe den dårlige opførsel.
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasIt is always 'i sandet'. Using 'på' sounds like a literal translation from another language and is not idiomatic in Danish.
Generally, no. It is almost always used for limits, stops, and preventing negative behavior.
It is very direct. In a Danish workplace, it is acceptable if you have a serious reason, but use it carefully as it signals a lack of further flexibility.
'At sætte en grænse' is the literal 'to set a boundary'. 'At trække en streg i sandet' is more dramatic and idiomatic.
No, it is 99% used metaphorically. You can use it in an office, a house, or a city.
It rhymes with the Danish word 'vej' (way). The 'g' is soft and sounds like a 'y'.
Yes, for example, if a team has lost many games, the coach might 'trække en streg i sandet' to start a new strategy.
People will understand you, but it sounds 'un-Danish'. Stick to 'streg'.
It is neutral. It works in both a newspaper and a conversation with your spouse.
Usually, the next step is 'konsekvenser' (consequences) if the line is crossed.
Frases relacionadas
at sætte foden ned
similarTo assert authority to stop something.
hertil og ikke længere
similarTo this point and no further.
at kaste håndklædet i ringen
contrastTo give up.
at gå over stregen
builds onTo cross the line / go too far.
