| Sammansatta former: |
WordReference English-Swedish Dictionary © 2026:
| be a far cry from [sth] expr | informal (very different from) | vara mycket olikt ngt vbal uttr |
| | | vara helt annorlunda jämfört med ngt vbal uttr |
| | Life in Canada is a far cry from what she's used to in Haiti. |
| be able to do [sth] v expr | (can, have the ability to do) | kunna göra ngt vtr + vtr |
| | | vara kapabel till att göra ngt vbal uttr |
| | Claire wasn't able to reach the jar on the top shelf. |
| | Claire kunde inte nå burken på översta hyllan. |
| be about [sth/sb] v expr | (be on the subject of) | handla om ngt/ngn vtr partikel oskj |
| | | röra sig om ngt/ngn vbal uttr |
| | (formell) | röra vtr |
| | My presentation is about the effects of alcohol. |
| | This book is about a king who loses his crown. |
| | Min presentation handlar om effekterna av alkohol. Den här boken handlar om kungen som blir av med sin krona. |
| be about to do [sth] v expr | (on the point of doing) | vara på väg att göra ngt vbal uttr |
| | I was just about to step into the bath when the doorbell rang. |
| | Jag var just på vag att kliva i badet när dörrklockan ringde. |
| be above v expr | figurative (morally superior to) | över prep |
| | | för god för uttr |
| | He's above lying about such things. |
| be above v expr | figurative (too complex for) | övergå ngns förstånd vbal uttr |
| | (bildlig) | gå över ngns huvud vbal uttr |
| | | vara för komplicerad vbal uttr |
| | All this talk of economics is above me. |
| be absorbed into [sth] v expr | (be integrated, assimilated) (bildlig) | vara absorberad i ngt vbal uttr |
| | | uppgå i ngt vtr + prep |
| | The police lost sight of Tom when he was absorbed into the crowd. |
| be accepted and agreed to v expr | (terms: be legally agreed) | vara godtagen och överenskommen vbal uttr |
| be accompanied by [sb/sth] v expr | (go in company with) | vara ackompanjerad av ngn/ngt vbal uttr |
| | | ha sällskap med ngn/ngt vbal uttr |
| be accompanied by [sth] v expr | (coexist with) | vara ackompanjerad av ngt vbal uttr |
| | | samexistera med ngt vitr + prep |
| be acquainted vi + adj | (know each other) | vara bekant adj |
| | Are you two already acquainted? |
| be acquainted with [sb] v expr | (know [sb]) | vara bekant med ngn vbal uttr |
| | Harry, I believe you are acquainted with Miss Forbes? |
| be acquainted with [sth] v expr | formal (be familiar with [sth]) | vara bekant med ngt vbal uttr |
| | | känna till ngt vtr partikel oskj |
| | (formell) | känna vtr |
| | Audiences in Ancient Greece were acquainted with the idea of a hero having a tragic flaw. |
| be adapted from [sth] v expr | (story, movie: be based on [sth]) | vara omarbetad från ngt vbal uttr |
| | | vara anpassad från ngt vbal uttr |
| | | vara bearbetad från ngt vbal uttr |
| | The film "Invictus" is adapted from a book by John Carlin. |
| be addressed to [sb] v expr | (mail: be intended for [sb]) | vara adresserad till ngn vbal uttr |
| | This letter is addressed to you. |
| be after [sth/sb] vi + prep | informal (search for [sth], [sb]) | vara efter ngt/ngn vtr + prep |
| | | vara sökandes efter ngt/ngn vbal uttr |
| | (bildlig) | vara på jakt efter ngt/ngn vbal uttr |
| | I'm after a new service provider; which one would you recommend? |
| be after doing [sth] v expr | Ire (be about to do) | vara på väg att göra ngt vbal uttr |
| | (vardagligt) | hålla på att göra ngt vbal uttr |
| | If you're after telling me how to cook this meal that I've cooked a thousand times before, you can save your breath. |
| be after doing [sth] v expr | Ire (have just done) | ha precis gjort ngt, ha precis avslutat ngt vbal uttr |
| | I'm after hanging out the clothes and now it's starting to rain! |
| be against [sth/sb] vi + prep | (oppose) | vara mot ngt/ngn, vara emot ngt/ngn vtr + prep |
| | Many Americans are against the war. |
| | Många amerikaner är emot (or: mot) kriget. |
| be anathema to [sb] v expr | (be considered abhorrent) | vara fördömd av ngn vbal uttr |
| | The newly proposed law is anathema to most small business owners. |
| be anchored in [sth] v expr | figurative (have a strong link to) (bildlig) | vara förankrad i ngt vbal uttr |
| | | ha sin rot i ngt vbal uttr |
| | The traditions of this annual festival are anchored in the distant past. |
be annoyed at [sb/sth],
be annoyed with [sb/sth] adj + prep | (irritated, angry) | vara irriterad på ngn/ngt vbal uttr |
| | (vardagligt) | vara sur på ngn/ngt vbal uttr |
| | I'm annoyed at my brother for leaving the room in such a mess. |
| | Jag är irriterad på min bror för att han lämnade rummet så ostädat. |
| be anxious about [sth] v expr | (be nervous about [sth]) | vara nervös över ngt vbal uttr |
| | | vara orolig över ngt vbal uttr |
| | Claire is anxious about her appointment with the dentist tomorrow. |
| | Claire är nervös över sin tandläkartid imorgon. |
| be anxious to do [sth] v expr | (be eager) | vara angelägen att göra ngt vbal uttr |
| | | vara ivrig att göra ngt vbal uttr |
| | The avid fans were anxious to meet their favorite author. |
| | De hängivna fansen var angelägna att träffa sin favoritförfattare. |
| appear to be [sth] v expr | (seem, look) | verka vara ngt vitr + vtr |
| | | framstå som att vara ngt vbal uttr |
| | | se ut att vara ngt vbal uttr |
| | Ken appears to be very dedicated to his family. |
| | Ken verkar vara väldigt tillgiven sin familj. |
| appear to be doing [sth] v expr | ([sth]: seem) | verka göra ngt vitr + vtr |
| | | framstå som att göra ngt vbal uttr |
| | | se ut att göra ngt vbal uttr |
| | The rain appears to be easing off. |
| | Regnet verkar avta. |
| be apprehensive about [sth] adj + prep | (be nervous about [sth]) | vara orolig över ngt vbal uttr |
| | | vara orolig för ngt vbal uttr |
| | | vara ängslig för ngt vbal uttr |
| | I'm apprehensive about moving to Japan; I have never lived abroad before. |
| be approved to work v expr | (be permitted, qualified to do a job) | ha tillstånd att jobba vbal uttr |
| | | vara godkänd för att arbeta vbal uttr |
| be arsed vi + adj | vulgar, informal, UK (willing to make effort) | vara brydd vitr + adj |
| | (slang) | orka vitr |
| Anmärkning: Used in the negative, in questions, or when there is doubt. |
| | I asked him to check it for me but he said he couldn't be arsed. |
| be arsed to do [sth] v expr | vulgar, informal, UK (willing to make effort) | vara brydd att göra ngt vbal utr |
| | | orka göra ngt vitr + vtr |
| Anmärkning: Used in the negative, in questions, or when there is doubt. |
| | The story's quite good so far, but I don't think I can be arsed to read the whole thing. |
as can be,
as ... as can be expr | (perfectly, extremely) | så ... som ngt kan vara uttr |
| | My sister's new baby is cute as can be. |
| | The children were excited as could be when their dad arrived home with a puppy. |
| | Min systers nya bebis är så söt som ngt kan vara. |
be ashamed of yourself,
feel ashamed of yourself v expr | (feel shame) | skämmas över sig själv vbal uttr |
| | | känna skam över sig själv vbal uttr |
| | You should be ashamed of yourself for failing that test! |
| be associated with [sth/sb] v expr | (be related to) (vardagligt) | vara förknippad med ngt/ngn vbal uttr |
| | | vara associerad med ngt/ngn vbal uttr |
| | (omodernt) | vara förbunden med ngt/ngn vbal uttr |
| | For many people, Christmas is associated with gifts and shopping. |
| | För många är julen förknippad med presenter och shopping. |
| | För många är julen associerad med presenter och shopping. |
| | För många är julen förbunden med presenter och shopping. |
| be astonished at [sth/sb] v expr | (be amazed by) | vara förbluffad över ngt vbal uttr |
| | | vara förvånad över ngt vbal uttr |
| | | vara hänförd av ngt vbal uttr |
| | Onlookers were astonished at the firefighter's bravery. |
| be at ease v expr | (relaxed) | avslappnad adj |
| | | avspänd adj |
| | | lugn adj |
| | I am more at ease when my boss is not in the office. |
| be at ease v expr | (not standing at attention) | lediga adj |
| | The troops were at ease on the parade ground. |
| be at the bottom of [sth] v expr | figurative (be the cause of [sth]) | ligga som grund för ngt vbal uttr |
| | | vara roten av ngt vbal uttr |
| | Childhood experiences are often at the bottom of adult complexes. |
| be at the bottom of [sth] v expr | (be at the lowest part of [sth]) | ligga vid ngts fot vbal uttr |
| | | vara vid ngts underkant vbal uttr |
| | The village is at the bottom of the mountain. |
| be attracted to [sth] v expr | (interested by: an idea, etc.) | vara fäst vid ngt vbal uttr |
| | | ha fattat tycke för ngt vbal uttr |
| | I am attracted to medieval European history; I find it absolutely fascinating. |
| be attracted to [sb] v expr | (sexually drawn to: [sb]) | vara attraherad av ngn vbal uttr |
| | (bildlig) | tända på ngn vtr partikel oskj |
| | I'm attracted to him, but he does not even know my name. |
| be attracted to [sth] v expr | (physics: drawn to: [sth]) | vara dragen till ngt vbal uttr |
| | | vara attraherad av ngt vbal uttr |
| | The positive and negative points of magnets are always attracted to each other. |
| be bad at [sth] v expr | (unskilled at [sth]) | vara dålig på ngt vbal uttr |
| | | vara usel på ngt vbal uttr |
| | Why is Britain so bad at tennis? |
| | Varför är Storbritannien så dåligt på tennis? |
| be balding vi | (lose your hair) (få en kal hjässa) | bli skallig, bli flintskallig vitr |
| | (allmän, bli av med hår) | tappa hår vitr |
| | Homer is balding, but he doesn't seem to mind. |
| | Homer håller på att bli skallig (or: bli flintskallig), men han verkar inte bry sig. |
| be based in v expr | (having work base) | vara stationerad i,vara baserad i vbal uttr |
| | | ha sitt säte i vbal uttr |
| | The consultant was based in Miami but worked all over the country. |
| be based at v expr | (having work base) | översättning ej tillgänglig |
| | Fernando is based at the firm's São Paulo office. |
| be based on [sth] v expr | (be founded on [sth]) | vara baserad på ngt vbal uttr |
| | | vara grundad på ngt vbal uttr |
| | His political ideas are based on his conservative beliefs.Ideally, your decision should be based upon sound reasoning. |
| be based in v expr | (film: take place) | utspela sig i vbal uttr |
| | The movie is based in Seattle, but sometimes episodes take place in Portland. |
be based on [sth],
be based upon [sth] v expr | (be adapted from [sth]) | vara baserad på ngt vbal uttr |
| | | vara grundad på vbal uttr |
| | Many movies are based on true stories. |
| | The play is based on the novel of the same name. |
| be a bargain v expr | (represent good value, be cheap) | vara ett fynd vbal uttr |
| | (vardagligt) | vara ett klipp, vara ett kap vbal uttr |
| | The gloves are a bargain at just £5 a pair. |
| be a deal v expr | (transaction: be agreed) | vara en överenskommelse vbal uttr |
| | (vardagligt, lånord) | vara en deal vbal uttr |
| | That's a deal! |
be a handful,
be a real handful v expr | informal, figurative (child: be difficult, badly-behaved) | vara busig vtr + adj |
| Anmärkning: Det finns ingen exakt översättning. |
| | That boy is a real handful. |
| be a man v expr | figurative (male: show strength) (bildlig) | visa att man är en man vbal uttr |
| | (vardagligt, bildlig) | visa att man är en karl, visa att man är en riktig karl vbal uttr |
| | You have to be a man about this, and admit that you made a mistake. |
| be a man v expr | (male: reach adulthood) | bli en man vbal uttr |
| | Dan's young son wants to be an astronaut when he is a man. |
| be a part of [sth] v expr | (be involved) | vara en del av ngt vbal uttr |
| | | vara en medlem i ngt vbal uttr |
| | Taking part in the protest made John feel that he was a part of something big. |
| be a stumbling block to [sth] v expr | figurative (hinder progress) (problem, stopp) | vara ett hinder för ngt vbal uttr |
| | (broms, hinder) | vara en hämsko på ngt vbal uttr |
| | (problem) | vara en stötesten för ngt vbal uttr |
| | The issue proved to be a stumbling block during the peace talks. |
| be a success v expr | (achieve popularity) | vara en succé vbal uttr |
| | | vara lyckad vtr + adj |
| | The chocolate cake was a real success with the guests. |
| be accustomed to [sth] v expr | (be familiar with [sth]) | vara van vid ngt vbal uttr |
| | I grew up in India, so I am accustomed to spicy food. |
| be accustomed to doing [sth] v expr | (be used to doing [sth]) | vara van vid att göra ngt vbal uttr |
| | George has six siblings, so he is accustomed to having to share a bedroom. |
| be across [sth] vi + prep | UK, AU, informal (be informed about) | vara informerad om ngt vbal uttr |
| | | ha kännedom om ngt vbal uttr |
| | We need to make sure all team members are across these changes. |
| be afoul of [sth/sb] v expr | (be in conflict with [sth] or [sb]) | vara insyltad i ngt vbal uttr |
| | (bildlig) | vara intrasslad i ngt vbal uttr |
| | The defendant was well aware that in accepting the bribe, he was afoul of the law. |
| be aimed at [sth/sb] v expr | (be intended for) (bildlig) | vara riktad mot ngt/ngn vbal uttr |
| | | vara ämnad för ngt/ngn vbal uttr |
| | This series of videos is aimed at preschool-aged children. |
| be all over v expr | informal (be finished, ended) | vara över vtr + adv |
| | | vara avslutad vtr + adj |
| | The battle was all over in less than three hours. |
| be allowed to do [sth] v expr | (have permission to) | ha tillåtelse att göra ngt vbal uttr |
| | (vardagligt) | få göra ngt vtr + vtr |
| | If you do not have your passport, you will not be allowed to enter the country. |
| | Once they had finished their exams, the students were allowed to leave. |
be an instant success,
be an overnight success v expr | (be immediately popular) | vara en omedelbar succé vbal uttr |
| | (bildlig) | slå igenom på en natt vbal uttr |
| | The TV show proved to be an instant success. |
| be bogged down in/by [sth] v expr | figurative (encumbered or oppressed) (bildlig) | vara begravd vtr + adj |
| | The lawyer was bogged down in paper work. |
| | Advokaten var begravd i pappersarbete. |
| be built like a brick s***house v expr | vulgar, offensive, informal (person: be big and muscular) (bildlig) | vara byggd som en oxe, vara stor som en oxe vbal uttr |
| | | vara stor som ett hus vbal uttr |
| Be careful! interj | (be cautious, prudent) | Var försiktig interj |
| | | Ta det försiktigt interj |
| | Be careful! You don't know what's out there! |
| be duly informed of [sth] v expr | (be notified of [sth]) | få information om ngt vbal uttr |
| | | bli informerad om ngt vbal uttr |
| | When he was arrested, Gary was duly informed of his rights by the policeman. |
| be equivalent to [sth] v expr | (be the same as) | vara samma sak som vbal uttr |
| | | vara liktydig med ngt, vara synonym med ngt vbal uttr |
| | What you just did is equivalent to stealing. |
| be equivalent to [sth] v expr | (equal, equate to) | motsvara vtr |
| | A litre is equivalent to 0.264 US gallons. |
| be faithful to [sb] v expr | (not cheat sexually on) | vara trogen mot ngn vbal uttr |
| | (något formell) | vara trogen ngn vtr + adj |
| | (litterär eller omodern) | vara ngn trogen vtr + adj |
| | I will only stay with my boyfriend if he is faithful to me. |
| be faithful to [sth] v expr | (adhere closely to) | vara trogen ngt vtr + adj |
| | | vara trogen mot ngt vbal uttr |
| | Try to be faithful to your principles. |
| be found out vi | (have one's crime discovered) | bli påkommen vitr |
| | (vardagligt) | bli haffad vitr |
| | Collins was found out because his fingerprints were discovered at the scene of the crime. |
| be good interj | (do not misbehave) | uppför dig interj |
| | | var nu snäll interj |
| | Have fun at Nana's house, and be good! |
| be in a funk expr | informal, US (feel depressed) (bildlig) | känna sig lite blå vbal uttr |
| | | vara nedstämd vtr + adj |
| | Lizzie's daughter has been in a funk since she lost her job. |
be in a good place,
be in a happy place v expr | figurative, informal (be happy, contented) (bildlig) | vara på en bra plats vbal uttr |
| | | vara lycklig vtr + adj |
| | | vara nöjd med livet vbal uttr |
| be in for a treat v expr | (be about to enjoy [sth] a lot) | ha ngt att se fram emot vbal uttr |
| | | ha ngt roligt framför sig vbal uttr |
| | Thank you for tuning into our show. You are all in for a treat today; just wait until we tell you who our special guest is! |
be in labor (US),
be in labour (UK) v expr | (be in process of giving birth) | ha värkar vtr + spl |
| | (vardagligt) | hålla på att föda barn vbal uttr |
be in the driver's seat,
take the driver's seat,
have the driver's seat,
be in the driving seat v expr | figurative (have control) (bildlig) | hålla i rodret vbal uttr |
| | (bildlig) | sitta i förarsätet vbal uttr |
| | If he thinks he can lead the team better, let him have the driver's seat. |
| be in touch v expr | informal (stay in contact) | ha kontakt vtr + s |
| | (oftast i bestämd form) | hålla kontakt vtr + s |
| | Are you two still in touch? |
| be in touch v expr | informal (make contact) (vardagligt) | höras vitr |
| | We'll be in touch soon. |
| | Vi hörs snart. |
| be in touch with [sb] v expr | informal (make contact) | ha kontakt med ngn vbal uttr |
| | Have you been in touch with her recently? |
| be in touch with [sb] v expr | informal (habitually be in contact) | ha kontakt med ngn vbal uttr |
| | | hålla kontakt med ngn vbal uttr |
| | Are you still in touch with your friends from high school? |
| be in your death throes v expr | (be actively dying) (bildlig) | ligga på sin dödsbädd vbal uttr |
| | | vara dödssjuk vtr + adj |
| be just like [sb] v expr | informal (be typical, expected of [sb]) | vara typiskt ngn vtr + adj |
| | | vara karakteristiskt för ngn vbal uttr |
| | It's just like Alice to lock herself out of her own hotel room. |
| be known for [sth] vtr | (be identified or famous for) | vara känd för ngt vbal uttr |
| | That restaurant is known for its excellent seafood. |
| be late v expr | (not arrive on time) | vara försenad vtr + adj |
| | (vardagligt) | vara sen vtr + adj |
| | | komma försent vitr + adj |
| | We have a departmental meeting this morning so I daren't be late. |
| | Don't be late for your own wedding. |
| be led to do [sth] v expr | (be prompted) | vara manad att göra ngt vbal uttr |
| | (anta) | ha för sig ngt vbal uttr |
| | We were led to believe that the chemical was not dangerous, but it turned out to be highly toxic. |
| be level pegging v expr | UK, informal (be in equal position) | vara på samma nivå vbal uttr |
| | | stå lika vitr + adj |
| be like vi + prep | (resemble) | vara som vitr + prep |
| | Michael is just like his father: he loves to play tennis. |
| be like talking to a brick wall v expr | figurative, informal (not be listened to) (bildligt) | vara som att prata med en vägg vbal uttr |
| | Talking to Esther is like talking to a brick wall; neither one will listen! |
be music to [sb]'s ears,
be music to the ears of [sb] v expr | figurative (be welcome news) (bildlig) | vara som musik för ngns öron vbal uttr |
| Be my guest! expr | (help yourself) | varsågod, var så god interj |
| | If you want some lemonade, be my guest! |
be named after [sth/sb],
be named for [sth/sb] v expr | (be given the same name as) (formell) | vara namngiven efter ngt/ngn vbal uttr |
| | | ha fått sitt namn efter ngt vbal uttr |
| | I was named after my mother's best friend. |
| | The park was named for the town's mayor. |
| be of the opinion v expr | (believe, think) (formell) | vara av åsikten att, vara av den åsikten att vbal uttr |
| | (formell) | vara av den meningen att vbal uttr |
| | My husband thinks autumn is the best season, but I am of the opinion that winter is better. |
be of two minds (US),
be in two minds (UK) expr | (be undecided) | inte kunna bestämma sig uttr |
| | (bildlig) | vara kluven vtr + adj |
| | I'm in two minds about taking this job in Spain; it's a great opportunity, but it's so far from home. |