bittere pil
Meaning: something unpleasant or difficult that one must accept.
Language: Dutch
Literally: bitter pill
Category: Food & Drink
Origin: The phrase draws on the experience of swallowing medicine—something distasteful that must be endured for one's own good.
More idioms — Food & Drink
- op zijn bord krijgen — to be assigned a task or burden.
- inte spotta i glaset — To willingly accept and consume alcohol when offered; to enjoy drinking.
- het på gröten — Overly eager or impatient, wanting something too urgently.
- få betalt för gammal ost — To be punished or retaliated against for a past wrong, to receive belated payback.
- lika som bär — Identical or nearly identical to each other in appearance or character.
- róg Amaltei — An abundant and inexhaustible source of wealth or plenty.
More Dutch idioms
- met de kippen op stok gaan — to go to bed very early, at sunset.
- vuur met vuur bestrijden — to counter a harmful action using the same method or intensity.
- uit de hand lopen — to become uncontrolled or chaotic.
- achter slot en grendel — imprisoned or confined.
- tussen de oren — in one's mind or thoughts.
- in de clinch liggen — To be in conflict or at odds with someone.
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