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.

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.

Loading the full interactive collection…