Dutchniet op zijn mond gevallen zijn
Meaning: To be outspoken and forthright; to speak one's mind without hesitation.
Literally: To not have fallen on one's mouth
Example: “Mijn nichtje van zes is niet op haar mond gevallen.” — My six-year-old niece has the gift of gab.
English equivalent: The gift of gab
Equivalents in other languages
French: Avoir de la tchatche Literally: To have some tchatche
Spanish: pico de oro Literally: Beak of gold
English: the gift of gab
Origin: Someone who had fallen on their mouth could not speak well; someone who has not fallen on it talks easily and is never at a loss for words. The phrase is old: Carolus Tuinman's proverb collection of 1726, as quoted by Onze Taal, says of someone who can talk well hy is op zyn mond niet gevallen, and also hy is wel van de tongriem gesneden (he has had his tongue-tie well cut).
More Dutch idioms
- 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.
- niet veel soeps Unimpressive or mediocre; not worth much.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- Hoge bomen vangen veel wind People in high positions attract the most criticism and danger.
- Hoe dichter bij de paus, hoe slechter christen Those closest to power or holiness are often the least virtuous.
- Het bloed kruipt waar het niet gaan kan Family ties, and inborn nature, always find a way to show themselves.
Keep exploring