Example: Hij durfde eindelijk het achterste van zijn tong te laten zien.
Definition
"Het achterste van zijn tong laten zien" is a Dutch expression meaning to finally reveal one's true thoughts or feelings, especially after previously keeping them hidden or secret. It implies being open and honest about what one really thinks or intends.
Translations
to reveal one's true thoughts
mostrar sus verdaderas intenciones
mostrar les seves veritables intencions
montrer le fond de sa pensée
sein wahres Gesicht zeigen
rivelare i propri pensieri
mostrar o que pensa
Etymology
The phrase "het achterste van zijn tong laten zien" literally translates to 'to show the back of one's tongue.' This Dutch idiom metaphorically suggests revealing what is usually kept hidden inside the mouth—one's true opinion or secret thoughts. The exact origin is uncertain, but it vividly captures the idea of exposing inner feelings.
Learn to use this expression actively
"Het achterste van zijn tong laten zien" appears in the Vocaplus list "Dutch - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C2) - set 1", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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to reveal one's true thoughts