Example: Je moet de kat niet op het spek binden tijdens het koken.
Definition
"De kat op het spek binden" is a Dutch expression meaning to tempt someone with something they strongly desire, often leading them into a situation where they might act impulsively or make a mistake. For example, it warns against enticing someone during cooking.
The phrase "de kat op het spek binden" literally means 'to tie the cat to the bacon.' It originates from the idea that tying a cat to a piece of bacon would irresistibly tempt the cat to try and eat it, symbolizing the act of deliberately tempting someone. Did you know this vivid imagery has made the phrase popular in Dutch for warning against provoking temptation?
Learn to use this expression actively
"De kat op het spek binden" appears in the Vocaplus list "Dutch - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C2) - set 1", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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to tempt fate