Fiska fjärilar i regn

This proverb describes the attempt to pursue something delicate, fragile, or elusive in conditions that are completely inappropriate or counterproductive. Much like the absurdity of trying to catch butterflies—a task that requires patience and gentleness—while it’s raining heavily, the expression highlights the futility of trying to achieve a goal when the surrounding environment or circumstances are utterly unfavorable. It suggests that timing and conditions are crucial for success, and without the right setting, even the most well-intentioned efforts are doomed to fail or become frustratingly difficult.The saying directly translated basically means "Fishing for butterflies in the rain".-Ulf Skönberg och kamraterna podden

Context: Two friends, Tom and Lisa, are discussing Lisa's attempt to organize an outdoor event despite bad weather.

Tom: "How’s the event planning going?"

Lisa: sighs "Not great. I’ve been trying to set up this outdoor picnic for weeks, but the forecast keeps showing rain."

Tom: "Sounds like you’re fishing for butterflies in the rain."

Lisa: "I know, right? Every time I think things are coming together, the weather ruins it."

Tom: "Maybe it's time to consider an indoor backup plan. No point chasing butterflies in a storm."

Lisa: "Yeah, I guess you're right. It's just not going to happen the way I imagined."

Sammanhang: Två vänner, Tom och Lisa, diskuterar Lisas försök att organisera ett utomhusevenemang trots dåligt väder.

Tom: "Hur går evenemangsplaneringen?"

Lisa: suckar "Inte bra. Jag har försökt ordna den här utomhuspicknicken i flera veckor, men prognosen fortsätter att visa regn."

Tom: "Det låter som att "fiska fjärilar i regn."

Lisa: "Jag vet, eller hur? Varje gång jag tror att saker går ihop, förstör vädret det."

Tom: "Det kanske är dags att överväga en backupplan inomhus. Ingen idé att jaga fjärilar i en storm."

Lisa: "Ja, jag antar att du har rätt. Det kommer bara inte att bli som jag föreställt mig."

by Ulf Skönberg & Kamrater Podden August 14, 2024

Rulla snöbollar i solsken

This famous swedish phrase describes an attempt to achieve something that is inherently doomed to fail due to unfavorable or contradictory conditions. Just as snowballs cannot be successfully rolled or formed in warm, sunny weather, some tasks become impossible or futile when the necessary circumstances are not in place. The expression highlights the absurdity or impracticality of pursuing an endeavor when the environment or situation is completely unsupportive. Directly translated to "rolling snowballs in sunshine".-Ulf Skönberg

Context: Two friends, Sara and Anton, talk about Anton's idea to plan an outdoor concert in the middle of winter.

Sara: "Are you sure it's a good idea to have an outdoor concert in January?"

Anton: "I know, it's not ideal, but I think it can work."

Sara: "Anton, it feels like trying to roll snowballs in the sunshine. Nobody wants to stand outside and freeze then."

Anton: sighs "You're probably right. Maybe I should think again."

Sammanhang: Två vänner, Sara och Anton, pratar om Antons idé att planera en utomhuskonsert mitt i vintern.

Sara: "Är du säker på att det är en bra idé att ha en konsert utomhus i januari?"

Anton: "Jag vet, det är inte idealiskt, men jag tror det kan funka."

Sara: "Anton, det känns som att försöka rulla snöbollar i solsken. Ingen vill stå ute och frysa då."

Anton: suckar "Du har nog rätt. Kanske jag ska tänka om."

by Ulf Skönberg & Kamrater Podden August 12, 2024

Stryka moln med fjäder

This expression describes the futile attempt to achieve something grand or ambitious with inadequate or unrealistic resources. The imagery of trying to "brush clouds," which represents a vast and lofty goal, with a "feather," an object too delicate and ineffective for such a task, highlights the impracticality and likely failure of the endeavor. It suggests that the tools or methods being used are far too weak or insufficient to accomplish the desired outcome, making the effort almost absurd in its lack of feasibility. The saying translated to english roughly means "brushing clouds with a feather"-Ulf Skönberg

Context: Two colleagues, Anna and Mark, are discussing Mark's plan to revamp the entire company's software system with a very limited budget.

Anna: "So, you really think you can overhaul the entire software system with just that small budget?"

Mark: "I know it’s tight, but I think we can manage if we cut a few corners."

Anna: "Mark, that sounds like trying to "brush clouds with a feather". The budget just isn’t enough for something this big."

Mark: sighs "You’re probably right. I guess I need to either scale back the project or push for more funding."

Anna: "Exactly. With the right tools and resources, you can achieve a lot more. But with what you have now, it’s going to be a struggle."

Sammanhang: Två kollegor, Anna och Mark, diskuterar Marks plan att förnya hela företagets mjukvarusystem med en mycket begränsad budget.

Anna: "Så, du tror verkligen att du kan se över hela mjukvarusystemet med bara den lilla budgeten?"

Mark: "Jag vet att det är tight, men jag tror att vi kan klara oss om vi skär några hörn."

Anna: "Mark, det låter som att försöka "stryka moln med fjäder". Budgeten räcker helt enkelt inte till något så här stort."

Mark: suckar "Du har förmodligen rätt. Jag antar att jag måste antingen minska projektet eller driva på för mer finansiering."

Anna: "Precis. Med rätt verktyg och resurser kan du uppnå mycket mer. Men med det du har nu kommer det att bli en kamp."

by Ulf Skönberg & Kamrater Podden August 13, 2024

Plocka päron i motvind

A famous swedish saying that interpretes you are having trouble doing an easy task because of external circumstances. The saying directly translated would be something like "Picking pears against the wind". -Ulf Skönberg

Two friends, Lisa and Erik, try to set up a tent during a camping trip, but the wind is strong.

Lisa: "Why is it always like this when we set up the tent? Everything flies around!"

Erik: laughs "It's like 'picking pears against the wind.'"

Lisa: "Yes, really. But we'll have to fight on. It has to come up at some point."

Erik: "We'll fix it, despite the headwind."

Två vänner, Lisa och Erik, försöker sätta upp ett tält under en campingresa, men det blåser kraftigt.

Lisa: "Varför är det alltid så här när vi ska sätta upp tältet? Allt flyger omkring!"

Erik: skrattar "Det är som att 'plocka päron i motvind.'"

Lisa: "Ja, verkligen. Men vi får väl kämpa vidare. Det måste ju stå upp någon gång."

Erik: "Vi fixar det, trots motvinden."

by Ulf Skönberg & Kamrater Podden August 10, 2024