The aim of this paper is twofold: first, a number of different approaches to the study of the English translations of Hans Christian Andersen are examined; and, secondly, a special area, that of the translation of idioms and semi-idioms, is explored in more detail in the hope that this leads to the discovery of grounds for the dissatisfaction that exists among many Danish scholars with the English Andersen translations. In conclusion, some general observations are made concerning the status of literary translations vis-à-vis their originals, and concerning the respective roles of description and criticism in literary translation studies.