de teerling is geworpen
Meaning: an irrevocable decision has been made; the course of action is now set in motion.
Language: Dutch
Literally: the die is thrown
Category: Daily Life
Origin: A classical expression derived from Julius Caesar's reported words alea iacta est when crossing the Rubicon; once a die is cast, the outcome cannot be changed.
More idioms — Daily Life
- een loopje nemen — to deceive or trick someone.
- bij de les blijven — to remain focused and attentive; to keep one's composure.
- in de wieg gelegd zijn — To have a natural talent or aptitude for something from birth.
- een lans breken — To take up someone's cause or defend a position publicly.
- schoon schip maken — To make a thorough reform of an organization by removing bad practices or undesirable peo…
- om zeep helpen — To kill or eliminate someone.
More Dutch idioms
- alleen de rozijnen uitpikken — to select only the best or most desirable items while ignoring the rest.
- roet in het eten gooien — to spoil or ruin a plan, event, or situation by introducing an unwelcome disruption.
- voor dovemansoren — Said or done in vain; unheeded by those it is meant for.
- knollen voor citroenen verkopen — To swindle or defraud someone by passing off something worthless as valuable.
- brood zien in — To view something as a viable or profitable business opportunity.
- in zijn oren knopen — To make someone pay close attention to what you are saying, implying they should remember…
From our tongue twisters
- Liesje leerde Lotje lopen langs de lange Lindelaan. — Eight consecutive l-words, with the vowel behind the l changing every time.
- De kat krabt de krullen van de trap. — A 'kr' cluster drill — Dutch consonant pileups that beginners approach with dread.
- Als vliegen achter vliegen vliegen, vliegen vliegen vliegen achterna. — The same noun/verb homograph trap as the German version — vliegen does triple duty.