á dauða mínum átti ég von
Icelandic
[edit]Phrase
[edit]- that's the last thing I expected, I am very surprised, I expected anything but this, I can't believe my own eyes
- Á dauða mínum átti ég von en ekki þessu. ― That's the last thing I expected. / I literally never expected this could ever happen.
- Á dauða mínum átti ég von frekar en að ég fengi þessi verðlaun. ― I never thought there was even a chance I could win this award.
Usage notes
[edit]This phrase, whose literal meaning is "I expected my own death, but not that this thing would ever occur", is used to express one's surprise in a melodramatic manner. It may also be used in a spiteful manner; even if the thing is good the person may be implying "I never expected that a deadbeat like you would even be capable of doing a beneficial thing".