Every language is peppered with idiomatic expressions and slang that give it color and character. Danish, a North Germanic language spoken mainly in Denmark and parts of Greenland, is no exception. Getting to grips with Danish idioms and slang can be a game-changer when striving for fluency or when you want to add a bit of local flavor to your conversations. Here are some of the most intriguing and commonly used Danish idioms and slang phrases, along with their meanings and example sentences.

At gå agurk
Translated literally as “to go cucumber,” this idiom means to go crazy or lose one’s temper. In English, a similar expression would be “to go bananas.”
Da han mistede sin pung, gik han helt agurk.

At have en høne at plukke med nogen
This means “to have a bone to pick with someone.” The imagery of plucking a chicken to prepare it for cooking parallels the idea of having a small feud or unresolved issue with someone.
Han har stadig en høne at plukke med sin bror over det gamle familieproblem.

At skyde gråspurve med kanoner
It translates to “shooting sparrows with cannons,” which is used to describe an overreaction or an excessive use of force for a small problem, much like the English “using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.”
At sende så mange politibetjente for at stoppe den lille demonstration var som at skyde gråspurve med kanoner.

Det er lige til at fise i en sko over
This quirky idiom means that something is very easy or straightforward. It literally translates to “it’s just to fart in a shoe over it.”
Denne opskrift er så simpel, det er lige til at fise i en sko over.

Der er ingen ko på isen
Meaning “there is no cow on the ice,” this idiom is used when there is nothing to worry about or when there is no problem. It’s similar to the English “there is nothing to it” or “no problem.”
Tag det roligt, der er ingen ko på isen; vi kan løse dette.

Ikke en fugl fløj over himlen
Literally “not a bird flew across the sky,” this expression is used to emphasize a very quiet or deserted place, akin to saying “not a soul in sight” in English.
Vi gik langs stranden i aftes, og ikke en fugl fløj over himlen.

Han er ikke den skarpeste kniv i skuffen
This translates to “he’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer,” which is used to describe a person who may not be the brightest or most intelligent.
Hun fik ham til at lave al hendes arbejde; han er tydeligvis ikke den skarpeste kniv i skuffen.

Lige ved og næsten slår ingen mand af hesten
The direct translation is “just about and almost knocks no man off his horse,” conveying the message that being close to doing something is not enough; one must actually do it. It is similar to “close but no cigar” in English.
Han forsøgte at vinde løbet, men lige ved og næsten slår ingen mand af hesten.

Now, let’s take a look at some Danish slang:

Sej
Pronounced like “sigh,” it means “cool” or “awesome.”
Den nye mobil er virkelig sej, har du set den?

Fedt
While it literally means “fat,” in slang, it is used to express that something is really cool or impressive.
Fedt, du kom! Jeg troede du ikke ville kunne gøre det!

Nederen
This word is used to express disappointment or to describe something that is unfortunate or a bummer.
Det er nederen, at vi ikke kan gå ud, fordi det regner.

Skidegodt
This might sound a bit crude as “skide” literally means “to sh**,” but combined with “good,” it means “really good” or “excellent.”
Du spillede skidegodt i kampen i går!

Understanding these idioms and slang expressions can enrich your Danish vocabulary and help you converse with native speakers with added flair. Remember, language is a living thing, and the way it’s used by natives gives you the most authentic insight into their culture and way of thinking. Learning idiomatic expressions and slang not only improves your communication skills but also helps immerse you further into the Danish way of life. God fornøjelse (have fun)!