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Glossary entry

Dutch term or phrase:

Eigen schuld, dikke bult

English translation:

you've made your bed, now you must lie/sleep in it

Added to glossary by Alacy
Mar 27, 2007 15:42
17 yrs ago
3 viewers *
Dutch term

Eigen schuld, dikke bult

Dutch to English Art/Literary General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters saying
This is a heading rather than part of a sentence. The text discusses lack of legislation in data protection in Belgium. I believe it's a saying - I've heard children use it and whilst I understand it generally I'd really appreciate any suggestions for a pithy English equivalent.
Proposed translations (English)
4 +1 you've made your bed, now you must lie/sleep in it
3 +3 Play with fire you get burned
3 +2 You have only got yourself to blame
4 What goes around comes around
3 +1 you get what you deserve
3 Hoist by your/their own petard
3 You had that one coming
3 -1 What comes round goes round?

Discussion

Buck Mar 28, 2007:
Thanks. Glad I could help.

Proposed translations

+1
4 mins
Selected

you've made your bed, now you must lie/sleep in it

I'm sure my fellow translators can come up with other suggestions, but I think this one fits the bill.
Peer comment(s):
agree Dennis Seine
5 mins
neutral Terry Costin : but in English we say you made your bed now lie in it and we do not say, Now sleep in it, at least I have never heard of it
48 days
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks - a good suggestion."
6 mins

Hoist by your/their own petard

Probably not said very frequently in playgrounds, but perhaps useful for legislation?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petard

Other possibilities include, "hanged by your/their own rope", "damned by your / their own words" etc.
Note from asker:
Thanks Adam excellent suggestions. Unfortunately too formal for this text.
Peer comment(s):
neutral vic voskuil : Thanks for enriching my vocab, by unfortunately "Eigen schuld..." isn't equivalent to "Wie een kuil graaft..."// Sorry Adam, I'm sticking to my petards here: "Eigen schuld" lacks malevolent intention; it's due to stupidity/ignorance/daredevilry etc
2 hrs
Never said it was - have another careful read of that dictionary, English idiom can be quite tricky for non-natives// There doesn't have to be any malevolence, as you've just amply demonstrated (I hope!) :-)
neutral CJG (X) : Adam, I know and love this expression, but it's too highbrow for the register
5 hrs
Isn't it supposed to be included as a heading in some legislation? Last time I looked that seemed pretty formal to me (there's not a lot of text speak in Hansard)! :-/
Something went wrong...
-1
7 mins

What comes round goes round?

Just a suggestion....!
Note from asker:
Thanks for the suggestion.
Peer comment(s):
disagree Terry Costin : What goes around comes around
48 days
Something went wrong...
10 mins

You had that one coming

may be too colloquial
Note from asker:
Yes it is too colloquial for this context but still a good translation, I think. Thank you.
Something went wrong...
+2
28 mins

You have only got yourself to blame

This is a pretty standard way of saying 'eigen schuld, dikke bult, in the UK.
Peer comment(s):
agree Els Spin : Considering this is a text about legislation, I think this one fits best. Not too colloquial.
3 hrs
agree Marijke Singer
13 hrs
Something went wrong...
+3
47 mins

Play with fire you get burned

I did :)
Note from asker:
Thanks Vic. Good suggestion.
Peer comment(s):
agree Jon O (X)
1 hr
thanks Jon!
agree Joost Elshoff (X) : fits the context quite nicely
1 hr
thanks Joost!
neutral Adam Smith : As it stands it's not idiomatic / accurate: you need to add something like "if you play..." or "play .. AND you get burned", etc. // Ah - that great source of modern English, the pop charts!! :-)
2 hrs
true, but imho this looks better as a heading, plus I couldn't resist quoting Salt'n'Pepa ;)// innit :)
agree Francina : If you play with fire you going to get burned/Play with fire and you'll get burned. Etc.!
2 hrs
thanks Francina!
neutral Terry Costin : I agree with Adam, it cannot be a heading written that way because it must begin with If you play, or if you are gonna play, or if you are going to play with fire. The end is usually, DON'T CRY if you burn your fingers
47 days
Thanks for the additional comments Terry, much appreciated! (I need to be reminded more often not to be too easygoing professionally;)
Something went wrong...
2 hrs

What goes around comes around

I agree with Willemina, but would juggle the words differently!
google it both ways to see the difference in number of hits.
Something went wrong...
+1
6 hrs

you get what you deserve

This is a playground sort of thing. Sort of nananana poking fun. You asked for it.
Peer comment(s):
agree writeaway
41 mins
Thanks
neutral Terry Costin : Yes though a term used by children nevertheless also used by adults
47 days
Something went wrong...
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