IdiomBody & Senses
Dutch
Dutchtussen neus en lippen door
Meaning: To say something in passing or casually, without emphasis or drawing attention to it.
Literally: Between nose and lips through
Example: “Tussen neus en lippen door vertelde hij dat hij ontslag had genomen.” — He mentioned in passing that he had quit his job.
Origin: Stoett explains it from eating and drinking: tussen neus en lippen is the moment while a bite or a sip is on its way between the nose and the lips. Something said then is said in passing, without stopping. Stoett quotes it from newspapers of 1914, already with door added as today.
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