English translation: You made your bed, now you have to lie in it
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Dutch to English translations [PRO] Art/Literary - Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Dutch term or phrase:Bij nacht een man bij dag een man.
I've been asked for the English equivalent of this saying. I know what it means, more or less - that if you stay up late, you have to live with the consequences the next morning - but is there an English saying that means the same? Your help would be much appreciated!
Explanation: I like this question! I have called a few friends of mine here, and this was the closest to an AE version we could think of, other than a somewhat literal solution like 'if you're a tough guy at night, you should be a tough guy in the morning as well', which just sounds a little silly. I realize it's not a 100% match, but depending on context, this might work.
IMO the version as asked *originates* from a slightly indecent context. As *used*, it is often in the context of hangovers (suck it up and be a man about it) rather than just staying up late. Surely, there must be an equivalent BE/AE expression ;-)
Exactly. We tease people who have been out late the night before by saying things like 'Stel je niet aan... 's avonds een vent, 's ochtends een vent'. Can't find an English equivalent, maybe it's time for a new proverb ;-)
I've learnt the expression as: 's Avonds een man, 's ochtends een man - most particularly used for someone who stays up late in a bar or while doing some fun activity and promises to be fit for duty the next morning anyway. Thought this might help. :-)
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Answers
33 mins confidence:
To burn the candle at both ends
Explanation: This might fit if the meaning is to stay up late and get up early.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 1 hr (2008-03-03 11:38:51 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Think I could be off the mark with this.
Perhaps "pay the piper" might fit. Or a combination: after burning the candle at both ends you have to pay the piper.
Denimmish United Kingdom Local time: 06:29 Native speaker of: English
Explanation: I like this question! I have called a few friends of mine here, and this was the closest to an AE version we could think of, other than a somewhat literal solution like 'if you're a tough guy at night, you should be a tough guy in the morning as well', which just sounds a little silly. I realize it's not a 100% match, but depending on context, this might work.
Dennis Seine United States Local time: 01:29 Works in field Native speaker of: Dutch PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
I appreciated all the answers, but this one I think comes the closest to what I need. Thank you!
strong in the evening/at night, strong in the morning
Explanation: I don't know of any specific English saying with a similar meaning. You could use the above suggestion if it fits your context
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 23 hrs (2008-03-04 09:44:19 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
On second thought, 'strong night, tough morning' (as a comment) or 'if you're strong at night, you have to be tough in the morning' (as a mild admonishment) would be better.
Ken Cox Local time: 07:29 Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 12
Explanation: I don't know that this really conveys the sense of being fit to go in the morning. It mainly means that you can't get away with staying out all night without suffering for it in the morning.
DocNo Local time: 07:29 Native speaker of: English
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +1
