Significado
to ignore a minor fault or mistake
Contexto cultural
Norwegians value 'smidighet' (flexibility) in social interactions to avoid direct confrontation. This idiom is a key tool for maintaining social harmony. The Law of Jante (Janteloven) suggests you shouldn't think you're better than anyone else. Seeing between the fingers is a way of showing you're not a 'better-than-thou' rule-follower. Flat hierarchy in Norwegian offices means bosses often use this idiom to build trust rather than exercising strict authority. There is a debate in Norway about 'snillisme'—whether the state sees between the fingers too often with social integration issues.
The 'Med' Rule
Always remember 'med'. It's the bridge between the idiom and the mistake.
Don't be too nice
Using this for a crime like 'theft' makes you sound like an accomplice!
Significado
to ignore a minor fault or mistake
The 'Med' Rule
Always remember 'med'. It's the bridge between the idiom and the mistake.
Don't be too nice
Using this for a crime like 'theft' makes you sound like an accomplice!
Professionalism
Use this in performance reviews to show you are a reasonable and flexible manager.
Social Peace
In Norway, 'nabofred' (neighborly peace) is often maintained by seeing between the fingers.
Teste-se
Fyll inn den manglende preposisjonen.
Sjefen valgte å se mellom fingrene ___ at han kom for sent.
Uttrykket er alltid 'å se mellom fingrene MED noe'.
Hvilken situasjon passer best for dette uttrykket?
Når kan du si 'jeg ser mellom fingrene med det'?
Idiomet brukes for små, ubetydelige feil.
Fullfør dialogen.
A: 'Beklager, jeg glemte å vaske opp i dag.' B: 'Det går fint, jeg skal ___ denne gangen.'
Dette er den korrekte faste formen av idiomet.
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
3 exerciciosSjefen valgte å se mellom fingrene ___ at han kom for sent.
Uttrykket er alltid 'å se mellom fingrene MED noe'.
Når kan du si 'jeg ser mellom fingrene med det'?
Idiomet brukes for små, ubetydelige feil.
A: 'Beklager, jeg glemte å vaske opp i dag.' B: 'Det går fint, jeg skal ___ denne gangen.'
Dette er den korrekte faste formen av idiomet.
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNo, it must be 'fingrene' (the fingers). The definite form is required.
Both are correct! 'Mellom' is slightly more common in Oslo, but 'gjennom' is widely used and understood.
Not at all. It's usually seen as a sign of kindness or practical wisdom.
Usually no. You don't 'see between the fingers' with your own mistakes; others do it for you.
To be 'firkantet' (square/rigid) or 'å slå ned på noe' (to crack down on something).
Yes, very often when discussing how authorities handle minor illegalities.
No, it implies you saw it perfectly but chose to act like you didn't.
Yes, for example, 'Jeg ser mellom fingrene med at han snorker.'
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
FING-re-ne. Make sure to pronounce the 'e' at the end.
Frases relacionadas
å se gjennom fingrene med noe
synonymExactly the same as 'mellom'.
å bære over med noen
similarTo have patience with someone.
å lukke øynene for noe
similarTo close one's eyes to something.
å se stort på det
similarTo take a broad view/not be petty.
å ta det med en klype salt
contrastTo take with a grain of salt.
