Example: Voor ons was die moeilijke taak echt een brug te ver.
Definition
"Een brug te ver zijn" is a Dutch expression meaning a task or challenge that is too difficult or beyond one's capabilities. It describes a situation where something is considered unachievable or excessively demanding, as in the example phrase: 'Voor ons was die moeilijke taak echt een brug te ver.'
Translations
to be a bridge too far
ser demasiado
ser massa
être un pas de trop
eine Nummer zu groß sein
essere troppo difficile
ser um passo além
Etymology
The phrase "een brug te ver zijn" literally means 'to be a bridge too far.' It originates from a World War II military operation where Allied forces attempted to capture several bridges in the Netherlands, but the final bridge was too far and difficult to secure. Over time, it became a metaphor for any endeavor that exceeds reasonable limits or ability.
Learn to use this expression actively
"Een brug te ver zijn" appears in the Vocaplus list "Dutch - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C1) - set 1", containing 100 commonly used expressions.
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to be a bridge too far