Example: We moeten vandaag de knoop doorhakken over het feest.
Definition
"De knoop doorhakken" means to make a decisive decision or to settle an important matter after careful consideration. It is often used when a final choice must be made to resolve uncertainty or move forward, as in deciding the details of an event or plan.
Translations
to make a firm decision
tomar una decisión definitiva
prendre una decisió definitiva
trancher
den Knoten durchschlagen
prendere una decisione definitiva
tomar uma decisão difícil
Etymology
The phrase "de knoop doorhakken" literally means 'to cut the knot' in Dutch. It originates from the idea of literally cutting a knot to untangle or resolve a problem, symbolizing making a clear and final decision. This vivid metaphor has been used in Dutch for centuries to express decisiveness.
Learn to use this expression actively
"De knoop doorhakken" appears in the Vocaplus list "Dutch - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C1) - set 1", containing 100 commonly used expressions.
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to make a firm decision