tussen neus en lippen door
Meaning: To say something in passing or casually, without emphasis or drawing attention to it.
Language: Dutch
Literally: between nose and lips through
Category: Body & Senses
Origin: The phrase pictures words slipping out almost imperceptibly from between the nose and lips—a small gap where something might pass unnoticed, suggesting speech that is offhand and unguarded.
More idioms — Body & Senses
- 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.
- under kniven — Undergoing surgery, or under intense pressure to perform.
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 compliments & insults
- У тебя золотые руки (u tebya zolotye ruki) — You're extraordinarily skilled — able to make or fix anything with your hands.
- T'as pas inventé le fil à couper le beurre — You're not exactly a genius — the wire to cut butter is about the most obvious tool imagi…
- Tête de mule — An impossibly stubborn person who refuses to change their mind no matter what.