Glossary entry (derived from question below)
German term or phrase:
sich bei der eigenen Nase fassen
English translation:
take a look in the mirror
Added to glossary by
Astrid Elke Witte
Oct 19, 2006 21:18
17 yrs ago
German term
Germany
Precision at your fingertips
Native in: English (Variants: Scottish, British) 
Works in: German to English, French to English, Spanish to English
sich bei der eigenen Nase fassen
German to English
Other
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
Idiom
In the context: Before X accuses Y of such-and-such, "sollte er sich bei der eigenen Nase fassen".
I can't just think of the right English expression that might be an equivalent in the same vein.
I can't just think of the right English expression that might be an equivalent in the same vein.
Proposed translations
(English)
Proposed translations
+2
2 hrs
Selected
take a look in the mirror
if it fits your text -- often used as a retort to express the idea that someone is equally guilty of what he is accusing someone else of (e.g 'why don't you take a look in the mirror? -- meaning of course 'why don't your have a good look at your own situation'?)
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "OK, this one has won! Thanks to everyone for all the ideas. If I could, I would have divided the points between this and "he should set his own house in order first". However, I think this one is the most perfect one to fit into the brief that I am translating.
Astrid"
+1
7 mins
he should consider his own situation/he should question himself/
I assume this is not meant in a legal case, so according to the severity of the situation one of those expressions might work
Note from asker:
| Yes, it is being used in a legal case, actually. But many colloquial phrases come up in such briefs. |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Bernhard Sulzer
: similar to my "take a look at yourself" - and seems good for a formal situation
1 hr
|
|
thank you, Bernhard
|
+2
8 mins
he should set his own house in order (first)
might work, although this is actually a translation for "vor der eigenen Türe kehren"
Note from asker:
| Sounds along the right lines. |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Lancashireman
48 mins
|
| agree |
Kathi Stock
1 hr
|
| neutral |
Bernhard Sulzer
: don't necessarily have to set your own house in order - but just acknowledge that one is not perfect either - that's how I understand sich bei der eigenen Nase fassen/ nehmen
1 hr
|
16 mins
he should take himself in hand
at least maintains roughly the same sort of physical imagery.
20 mins
Bernhard Sulzer
United States
United States
Native in German
Works in field
United States
High quality at a reasonable price
Native in: German
Works in: English to German, German to English, German, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
52
take a close look at yourself
(and slap yourself around a little)
in the sense of - you probably find a lot that you should fix on yourself first
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Note added at 22 mins (2006-10-19 21:41:04 GMT)
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or: ...at oneself (more formal)
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Note added at 23 mins (2006-10-19 21:42:30 GMT)
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Or: ...himself/herself
in the sense of - you probably find a lot that you should fix on yourself first
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Note added at 22 mins (2006-10-19 21:41:04 GMT)
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or: ...at oneself (more formal)
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Note added at 23 mins (2006-10-19 21:42:30 GMT)
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Or: ...himself/herself
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Francis Lee (X)
: themself/themselves ;-)
11 hrs
|
1 hr
cast the beam out of his own eye
according to Matthew 7
3 hrs
Sabine Hull
Native in German
Specializes in field
trustworthy, professional
Native in: German 
Works in: English to German, German to English
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone
as Jesus would say
Discussion