stick i stäv

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Swedish[edit]

Etymology[edit]

stick (straight (in this idiom)) +‎ i (in) +‎ stäv (stem (of a ship))

Adverb[edit]

stick i stäv (not comparable)

  1. (of wind) straight against (the bow of a ship)
  2. (idiomatic, figuratively) straight against, contrary
    Att avrätta krigsfångar går stick i stäv med våra principer
    To execute prisoners of war is contrary to our principles
    Hans idéer gick stick i stäv med dåtidens
    His ideas ran counter to those of the day

Usage notes[edit]

The origin of the figurative sense is likely to be unknown to most native speakers, so only strictly figurative.

References[edit]