Example: Na het mislukken van het project moest hij de hand in eigen boezem steken.
Definition
"De hand in eigen boezem steken" is a Dutch expression meaning to admit one's own fault or mistake, especially after a failure or problem. It involves taking personal responsibility rather than blaming others, as in the example: after the project's failure, he had to admit his own mistakes.
Translations
to admit one's own mistakes
hacer autocrítica
fer autocrítica
faire son autocritique
sich an die eigene Nase fassen
ammettere le proprie responsabilità
assumir a responsabilidade
Etymology
The phrase "de hand in eigen boezem steken" literally means 'to put the hand in one's own chest.' It originates from the idea of looking inward, symbolizing self-examination and acknowledging one's own faults. This metaphorical expression has been used in Dutch for centuries to encourage personal accountability.
Learn to use this expression actively
"De hand in eigen boezem steken" appears in the Vocaplus list "Dutch - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C1) - set 1", containing 100 commonly used expressions.
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to admit one's own mistakes