IdiomBody & Senses
Dutch
Dutchhet zit tussen de oren
Meaning: in one's mind or thoughts.
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
Origin: "It's between the ears": the problem lies in the mind, not in the body or the circumstances. It is said especially in sport, when a player's or a team's failures come down to nerves or confidence. The phrase is modern and has no particular story behind it.
Equivalents in other languages
English: all in one's head
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.
- Twee vliegen in één klap slaan To achieve two things with a single action.
- De pot verwijt de ketel dat hij zwart is Someone criticizes another person for a fault they have themselves.
- Het sop is de kool niet waard It isn't worth the trouble.
- Helaas, pindakaas Too bad, nothing can be done about it.
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