niet op zijn mond gevallen zijn
Meaning: To be outspoken and forthright; to speak one's mind without hesitation.
Language: Dutch
Literally: to not have fallen on one's mouth
Category: Body & Senses
Origin: The phrase suggests that if one had fallen on one's mouth, one's tongue and lips would be damaged, making speech difficult—so to have NOT fallen there means one's ability to speak remains unimpaired and ready for use.
More idioms — Body & Senses
- tussen neus en lippen door — To say something in passing or casually, without emphasis or drawing attention to it.
- op eigen benen staan — To be independent and self-sufficient; to support oneself without relying on others.
- voet bij stuk houden — To stand firm and refuse to give in to pressure or threats.
- uit de hand lopen — to become uncontrolled or chaotic.
- tussen de oren — in one's mind or thoughts.
- een uur in de wind stinken — To smell extremely bad.
More Dutch idioms
- blijven zitten — To be held back a grade in school; to fail to advance to the next level of study.
- een tandje bijsteken — To intensify one's effort or increase the pace of activity; to move up a gear.
- van lotje getikt — To be crazy or eccentric; to be not quite sane.
- buiten de boot vallen — To be left out or excluded from a group or activity.
- ga toch fietsen — A rude dismissal telling someone to go away.
- in de wind slaan — To deliberately ignore or disregard something.
From our proverbs
- Pepper is black, yet it hath a good smack. — Humble or unassuming appearance need not diminish value; worth transcends visual appeal.
- The topmost branch is not the safest perch. — Highest positions attract the most danger and instability, making humble placement more s…
- The persuasion of the fortunate sways the doubtful. — Fortune's favor lends credibility to arguments, making people trust the successful regard…