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met de kippen op stok gaan

Meaning: to go to bed very early, at sunset.

Language: Dutch

Literally: to go to roost with the chickens

Category: Animals

Origin: The phrase draws on the farm practice of chickens roosting as darkness falls, treating early sleep as a return to animal simplicity.

More idioms — Animals

  • köra med — To tease, bully, or push someone around.
  • kasta pärlor för svin — To offer something valuable to someone who cannot appreciate or will waste it.
  • ingen ko på isen — There is no danger or immediate problem; the situation is safe.
  • inte göra en fluga förnär — To be harmless and gentle, incapable of hurting even the smallest creature.
  • som vatten på en gås — Something that has no effect or makes no impression, sliding off harmlessly.
  • lysa med lånta fjädrar — To present oneself falsely by adopting the qualities, accomplishments, or possessions of…

More Dutch idioms

  • vuur met vuur bestrijden — to counter a harmful action using the same method or intensity.
  • uit de hand lopen — to become uncontrolled or chaotic.
  • achter slot en grendel — imprisoned or confined.
  • tussen de oren — in one's mind or thoughts.
  • in de clinch liggen — To be in conflict or at odds with someone.
  • een uur in de wind stinken — To smell extremely bad.

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