Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Danish term or phrase:
olie på fingrene
English translation:
roll up our sleeves/get hands dirty
Added to glossary by
Charlesp
Mar 20, 2013 09:39
11 yrs ago
Danish term
olie på fingrene
Danish to English
Art/Literary
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
I am guessing that one says they have had ”olie på fingrene” they don't mean that they have had oil on their fingers - literally. But perhaps this is like ”dirt under the fingernails." ?
Or perhaps that they know how to "roll up their sleeves"?
Or perhaps that they know how to "roll up their sleeves"?
Proposed translations
(English)
| 4 | get hands dirty |
Norskpro
|
| 4 | hands-on experience |
Christine Andersen
|
References
| Get hands dirty |
Norskpro
|
Proposed translations
57 mins
Selected
get hands dirty
Since I posted my suggestion in the comments section I have had agreements from others.
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "I agree with you all. Thanks.
Actually though I like my suggestion the best: "roll up their sleeves," ie. prepare to get to work (but I suppose that because I already suggested it, nobody wants to post it as an answer).
"
28 mins
Christine Andersen
Denmark
Denmark
Native in English
Denmark
the message, not just the words
Native in: English (Variant: UK) 
Works in: Danish to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
75
hands-on experience
I like your own suggestions - know how to roll up their sleeves and dirt under the fingernails.
The Danish ´jord under neglene´ is more connected with agriculture, or is used in the direction of ´green fingers´, althrough in the narrower sense, ´grønne fingre´ is more common.
For non-agricultural workers, or even the village bicycle repairer and tractor mechanic, ´olie på fingrene´ was a suitable counterpart.
Either way, it is a person with practical knowledge and manual skills, who will get the job done.
The Danish ´jord under neglene´ is more connected with agriculture, or is used in the direction of ´green fingers´, althrough in the narrower sense, ´grønne fingre´ is more common.
For non-agricultural workers, or even the village bicycle repairer and tractor mechanic, ´olie på fingrene´ was a suitable counterpart.
Either way, it is a person with practical knowledge and manual skills, who will get the job done.
Reference comments
18 mins
Reference:
Get hands dirty
My impression when checking various articles, is that it often concerns people who are not afraid to get their hands dirty.
Peer comments on this reference comment:
| agree |
Christine Andersen
10 mins
|
| agree |
Jens Kaestel
15 mins
|
| agree |
kargaard
22 hrs
|
Discussion
En, der ikke er ked af at tage fat, og sikkert ved, hvordan man gør.