Ergens geen doekjes om winden
Example: Hij windt er nergens doekjes om en zegt altijd de waarheid.
Definition
"Ergens geen doekjes om winden" means to speak or express something very directly and honestly, without softening or sugarcoating the truth. It implies being straightforward and candid about a matter, often in a blunt or unreserved manner.
Etymology
The phrase "ergens geen doekjes om winden" literally translates to 'not winding any cloths around something.' It originates from the idea of not wrapping or covering something to hide its true form, symbolizing openness and frankness. Did you know it reflects a cultural preference for direct communication in Dutch?
Learn to use this expression actively
"Ergens geen doekjes om winden" appears in the Vocaplus list "Dutch - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C2) - set 1", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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to speak plainly