De vinger op de zere plek leggen

English translation: identify the problem

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Dutch term or phrase:De vinger op de zere plek leggen
English translation:identify the problem
Entered by: Verginia Ophof

19:24 Nov 24, 2010
Dutch to English translations [PRO]
Bus/Financial - General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
Dutch term or phrase: De vinger op de zere plek leggen
Putting the finger on the sore spot. Is dit geaccepteerd Engels of is daar een mooie Engelse uitdrukking voor?
Marielle Verbong - Weerts (X)
Netherlands
Local time: 12:54
identify the problem
Explanation:
suggestion
Selected response from:

Verginia Ophof
Belize
Local time: 05:54
Grading comment
I used this answer. Thanks.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +3Putting the finger on the sore spot
Textpertise
3 +3identify the problem
Verginia Ophof
4to strike a nerve
Jennifer Barnett
4Put the finger on the problem
solejnicz


Discussion entries: 12





  

Answers


7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +3
Putting the finger on the sore spot


Explanation:
Perfectly acceptable in English.


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Note added at 9 mins (2010-11-24 19:33:43 GMT)
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You could also use the expression to hit (or touch) a (raw) nerve as an alternative if it fits better.

Textpertise
United Kingdom
Local time: 11:54
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 39

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  writeaway: no way to be wrong with absolutely 000 context. who knows?
31 mins
  -> mm

agree  Lianne van de Ven: If you can't be wrong you must be right, which does not exclude other options from being correct as well.
1 hr
  -> Agreed - many ways of saying this, depending on context which we haven't got.

neutral  philgoddard: If this is right, it should be "put your/one's finger on a sore spot".
2 hrs
  -> your/one's finger on a/the sore spot - permutations and combinations. The point is that the expression is a valid one in English as the translator suspected.

agree  Jack den Haan
13 hrs
  -> Thanks, Jack

agree  Tina Vonhof (X)
1 day 1 hr
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4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
identify the problem


Explanation:
suggestion

Verginia Ophof
Belize
Local time: 05:54
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 44
Grading comment
I used this answer. Thanks.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Jack den Haan: A rather analytical, "matter of fact" way of saying it, but this is what the expression boils down to and it could work in the context. // Given the further context, it would work! (Please see discussion section above.)
9 hrs
  -> Bedankt Jack den Haan !!

agree  Kate Hudson (X)
16 hrs
  -> Thank you Kate !T

agree  Siobhan Schoonhoff-Reilly
19 hrs
  -> Thank you Siobhan !!
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13 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
to strike a nerve


Explanation:
Depending on context, this may be suitable. It is perhaps a sharper, more intense reaction then a finger on a sore spot.

Example sentence(s):
  • His remark struck a nerve because it reminded her of her bad experience.
Jennifer Barnett
France
Local time: 12:54
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 19
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13 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
Put the finger on the problem


Explanation:
I think "on the problem" is as good here as "on the sore spot".

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Note added at 13 uren (2010-11-25 09:20:38 GMT)
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Or "Putting" instead of "Put", of course.

solejnicz
Netherlands
Local time: 12:54
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench, Native in DutchDutch
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