Friday 13 March 2009

"Een gegeven paard moet men niet in de bek kijken"

Dutch saying: "Een gegeven paard moet men niet in de bek kijken"
Literal translation: "One should not look a given horse in the mouth".
Meaning: If you get something for free, you should not criticize it.
English equivalent: Beggars cannot be choosers" ("Do not look a given horse in the mouth" also exists, but I would prefer using a less literal translation).

Wednesday 11 March 2009

"Knollen voor citroenen verkopen"

Dutch saying: "Knollen voor citroenen verkopen"
Literal translation: "Selling turnips as lemons".
Meaning: Pretending something worthless (the turnip) is something of much greater value (the lemon).
English equivalent: Chalk and Cheese (As in: "Selling chalk for cheese").