IdiomBody & Senses
English
Englishnavel-gaze
Meaning: To be absorbed in oneself and one's own concerns to an excessive degree.
Example: “The committee spent the whole retreat navel-gazing instead of fixing the budget.”
Origin: It mocks a real devotional practice: in the 19th century, certain Eastern Orthodox monks were derided as "omphalopsychites" for contemplating their navels in prayer. "Navel-gazing" as a dismissive word for self-absorbed introspection is a mid-20th-century usage.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Se regarder le nombril Literally: To stare at one's own navel
More English idioms
- that ship has sailed It is too late; the opportunity has passed.
- have one's cake and eat it too To want two things that cannot both be had.
- muddy the waters To make a situation confusing, often on purpose.
- have the wind in one's sails To be doing well and moving forward with confidence and momentum.
- talk behind someone's back To say unkind things about someone when they are not present.
- add fuel to the fire To make a bad situation worse.
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- Tu as un cœur d'or You are genuinely kind and generous.
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