Example: Na de ruzie kwam hij echt van een koude kermis thuis.
Definition
"Van een koude kermis thuiskomen" is a Dutch expression meaning to return from an experience feeling disappointed, dissatisfied, or having expected more than what was actually received. It describes a situation where reality falls short of one's hopes or expectations.
Translations
to be bitterly disappointed
llevarse una decepción
endur-se una decepció
tomber de haut
eine böse Überraschung erleben
restare deluso
ficar desapontado
Etymology
The phrase "van een koude kermis thuiskomen" literally means 'to come home from a cold fair.' Historically, fairs (kermis) were lively and warm social events, so coming home from a 'cold' fair implied attending one that was disappointing or dull. This expression has been used in Dutch to convey feelings of dissatisfaction or letdown after an event or experience.
Learn to use this expression actively
"Van een koude kermis thuiskomen" appears in the Vocaplus list "Dutch - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C1) - set 1", containing 100 commonly used expressions.
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to be bitterly disappointed