Example: We moeten niet over één nacht ijs gaan met deze beslissing.
Definition
"Niet over één nacht ijs gaan" means to avoid making a decision hastily or without careful consideration, implying that one should take time to think thoroughly before acting. For example, it suggests not rushing important choices overnight.
Translations
to think things through carefully
no actuar precipitadamente
no actuar precipitadament
ne pas agir à la légère
nichts überstürzen
non prendere una decisione affrettata
não tomar uma decisão precipitada
Etymology
The expression "niet over één nacht ijs gaan" literally translates to 'not going over one night's ice.' It originates from the idea that crossing ice that has only frozen overnight is unsafe, symbolizing the need for caution and patience. Did you know that this phrase warns against risky, impulsive actions by comparing them to the danger of thin ice?
Learn to use this expression actively
"Niet over één nacht ijs gaan" appears in the Vocaplus list "Dutch - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C2) - set 1", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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to think things through carefully