ha is i magen

Swedish

Etymology

ha (“have”) +‎ is (“ice”) +‎ i (“in”) +‎ magen (“the stomach”)

Verb

ha is i magen (present har is i magen, preterite hade is i magen, supine haft is i magen, imperative ha is i magen)

1. (idiomatic) to keep a cool head, to keep one's cool (usually of waiting rather than doing something potentially rash in a stressful situation)

   Aktierna har sjunkit. Borde jag sälja eller ha is i magen?

   My stocks have gone down. Should I sell or keep my cool and hold?

   Ha is i magen! Han har alltid svängt först i tidigare chicken race.

   Keep your cool! He's always been the first to turn in earlier games of chicken.

   Vi letar efter någon med is i magen

   We're looking for someone who can keep a cool head

References

• is in Svensk ordbok (SO)
• is in Svenska Akademiens ordlista (SAOL)
• is in Svenska Akademiens ordbok (SAOB)