IdiomFood & Drink
Dutch
Dutchwater bij de wijn doen
Meaning: to compromise or make a concession in a dispute or negotiation.
Literally: To add water to the wine
Example: “Beide partijen moesten water bij de wijn doen om een akkoord te bereiken.” — Both sides had to meet each other halfway to reach a deal.
English equivalent: To meet someone halfway
Equivalents in other languages
French: Mettre de l'eau dans son vin Literally: To put water in one's wine
English: meet someone halfway
Origin: Wine mixed with water is weaker, and adding water to one's own wine is toning down one's demands, as Stoett explains. The phrase has been used in this sense since the 16th century, when the Antwerp poet Anna Bijns already played on it. French has the same image in mettre de l'eau dans son vin.
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