Example: Nadat het nieuws bekend werd, was de geest uit de fles.
Definition
"De geest is uit de fles" is a Dutch expression meaning that something irreversible or uncontrollable has happened, often implying that a situation has changed permanently and cannot be undone. For example, after certain news is revealed, the consequences cannot be taken back.
Translations
the genie is out of the bottle
el genio salió de la botella
el geni ha sortit de l'ampolla
le génie est sorti de sa bouteille
der Geist ist aus der Flasche
lo spirito è fuori dalla bottiglia
o espírito está fora da garrafa
Etymology
The phrase "de geest is uit de fles" literally translates to 'the spirit is out of the bottle.' It refers to the idea that once a genie or spirit is released from a bottle, it cannot be put back in, symbolizing irreversible actions or changes. This metaphorical expression has roots in folklore about magical spirits trapped in containers.
Learn to use this expression actively
"De geest is uit de fles" appears in the Vocaplus list "Dutch - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C2) - set 1", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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the genie is out of the bottle