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Bobbejaan agter die bult

Meaning: To worry about troubles that may never come.

Language: Afrikaans

Literally: A baboon behind the hill

Category: Animals

Origin: From an Afrikaans folk song; dreading the unseen baboon over the rise pictures needless anxiety.

More idioms — Animals

  • Мува без главе — To rush about chaotically and without direction.
  • Гладна мечка хоро не играе — Nothing gets done on an empty stomach.
  • Iti rakom žvižgat — To go to ruin; to fall apart.
  • Vilką minim, vilkas čia — Speak of the devil.
  • Pūst pīlītes — To tell tall tales; to fib.
  • Iga kana kraabib enda poole — Everyone looks out for their own interest.

More Afrikaans idioms

  • So skaars soos hoendertande — Extremely rare; almost non-existent.
  • 'n Halwe eier is beter as 'n leë dop — Half a loaf is better than none.
  • Nou is die gort gaar — Now we're really in trouble.
  • Jakkals trou met wolf se vrou — A sunshower — rain while the sun shines.
  • Hy is van sy trollie af — He has lost his mind.
  • Koeitjies en kalfies — Idle small talk.

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