het zit tussen de oren
Meaning: in one's mind or thoughts.
Language: Dutch
Literally: between the ears
Example: “Je kunt het best; het zit allemaal tussen de oren.” — You can do it; it's all in your head.
English equivalent: All in one's head
Category: Body & Senses
Origin: The phrase places the mind anatomically between the ears where the brain resides.
Equivalents in other languages
- English: all in one's head
More idioms — Body & Senses
- een uur in de wind stinken — To smell extremely bad.
- under kniven — Undergoing surgery, or under intense pressure to perform.
- fjällen falla från någons ögon — To suddenly understand something that was previously hidden or obscured.
- med glimten i ögat — To say or do something in a joking or cheeky manner, with playful mischief rather than se…
- ha luktat krutrök — To be experienced in battle or conflict; to have been tested under fire.
- reta gallfeber på — To infuriate or enrage someone intensely.
More Dutch idioms
- in de clinch liggen — To be in conflict or at odds with someone.
- uit zijn plaat gaan — To lose control of oneself or go crazy.
- Helaas, pindakaas — Too bad, nothing can be done about it.
- Nu komt de aap uit de mouw — The truth is finally revealed.
- Met de deur in huis vallen — To get straight to the point without any preamble.
- Iets voor een appel en een ei kopen — To get something for next to nothing.