holde tunga rett i munnen

Norwegian Bokmål

Alternative forms

• holde tungen rett i munnen

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈhɔlə.ˈtuŋa.ɾɛt.ɪ.mʉnːn̩/

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• Rhymes: -ʉnːn̩
• Hyphenation: hol‧de‧tung‧a‧rett‧i‧munn‧en

Idiom

holde tunga rett i munnen (literally, “to keep your tongue straight in your mouth”)

1. to concentrate in order to keep balance
2. to keep one's cool; concentrate intensely in order to not to make any mistakes
   • 1892, Jonas Lie, Trold. Ny Samling, page 124:

     nu gjaldt det at holde tungen ret i munden og ikke la sig mærke med nogenting

     now it was a matter of keeping your cool and not noticing anything

   • 2009, Vibecke Groth, Arvesynden:

     det gjaldt å holde tunga rett i munnen og ikke overse noe i iveren etter å gå løs på nye sider av saken

     it was important to keep your tongue straight in your mouth and not overlook anything in the eagerness to get started on new sides of the issue

   Tone holder tungen rett i munnen når det gjelder som mest

   Tone keeps her cool when it really counts the most