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Iets voor een appel en een ei kopen

Meaning: To get something for next to nothing.

Language: Dutch

Literally: To buy something for an apple and an egg

Category: Food & Drink

Origin: Apples and eggs were the cheapest goods on Dutch market stalls; the phrase is attested in Dutch since the 17th century.

More idioms — Food & Drink

  • Een appeltje met iemand te schillen hebben — To have a bone to pick with someone.
  • Musztarda po obiedzie — Too late to be of any use.
  • Rzucać grochem o ścianę — To plead with someone who will not listen.
  • 국수를 먹다 — To attend a wedding — or, asked as a question, when will you marry?
  • حط في بطنك بطيخة صيفي — Relax completely; do not worry about a thing.
  • दाल में कुछ काला है — Something suspicious is going on.

More Dutch idioms

  • De hond in de pot vinden — To arrive too late — the food, or the opportunity, is gone.
  • Iets onder de knie hebben — To have mastered a skill.
  • Met de neus in de boter vallen — To arrive at exactly the right, lucky moment.
  • Het regent pijpenstelen — It is raining very heavily.
  • Iets met de Franse slag doen — To do it carelessly and half-heartedly.
  • De kat uit de boom kijken — To wait cautiously before committing.

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