IdiomBody & Senses
Dutch
Dutchde nek omdraaien
Meaning: To kill or destroy someone or something, or to bring an end to a project or endeavor.
Literally: To turn the neck around
Example: “De omroep heeft het programma na één seizoen de nek omgedraaid.” — The broadcaster pulled the plug on the show after one season.
English equivalent: To pull the plug
Equivalents in other languages
English: pull the plug
Origin: Wringing a chicken's neck was the everyday way of killing poultry, and de nek omdraaien is said of a person, a plan or a company being killed off quickly. Its origin is not documented, and it has no particular story behind it.
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Explore another collection: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- Keulen en Aken zijn niet op één dag gebouwd Great things take time.
- Voorzichtigheid is de moeder van de porseleinkast Being careful keeps fragile things, and situations, intact.
- Wie boter op zijn hoofd heeft, moet uit de zon blijven Don't criticize others for faults you have yourself.
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