þegar stórt er spurt er oft fátt um svör

Icelandic

Alternative forms

• þegar stórt er spurt (ellipsis of the full saying)
• þegar stórt er spurt þá er lítið um svör
• þegar stórt er spurt verður oft fátt um svör

Proverb

þegar stórt er spurt er oft fátt um svör

1. (idiomatic) used to gracefully dodge a question; I am unable to give an answer to that question; There are no answers to such big questions

Usage notes

The saying literally translates to "to big questions there are few answers / few willing to answer". It sounds wise and proverbial, and for that reason it renders the original inquirer incapable of continuing his line of questioning. It can be used when one doesn't know the answer or when one doesn't want to answer.

It is more common to shorten this saying to just þegar stórt er spurt.