Archive for 'Idioms'
Dutch Idioms 28: Throwing the Child Away Posted by Sten on Mar 31, 2022
Today, I want to discuss one of my favorite uitdrukkingen (expressions) in the Dutch language. Because it is so weirdly unique, I want to dedicate this entire post of Dutch Idioms to it. It involves bathing your little baby in nice warm water, but then considering throwing out that water, including the baby! What on earth…
Dutch Idioms 27 – Is it the truth? Posted by Sten on Feb 11, 2022
Sometimes we read something in the news, or we hear something raars (strange), we frown, and we ask ourselves: klopt dat wel? (Is that actually true?) Then we start digging, to uncover the waarheid (truth). And as we all know, truth comes out in the end. Or well, we say something like that in Dutch Idioms. Here’s how the Dutch…
Dutch Idioms 26 – Why Do The Dutch Take Chestnuts From Fire? Posted by Sten on Nov 25, 2021
In this edition of Dutch Idioms, I want to take a look at the kastanje (chestnut). An item that isn’t used much in spreekwoorden (sayings) and uitdrukkingen (expressions), yet the one it has going for it is very widely known. With an interesting origin, this idiom deserves its own post. So let’s unravel it! For other idioms in this series…
Dutch Idioms 25 – It’s Raining! Posted by Sten on Oct 15, 2021
Herfst (autumn). Leaves fall down the trees, nature shows its most beautiful colors, spiders spin their webs, and… It rains. At least in the Netherlands, it always rains. Consequently, there are Dutch idioms about it. Here’s a spreekwoord (saying) and uitdrukking (expression) related to regen (rain)! Let’s start with the uitdrukking. For other idioms in this series, click here…
Dutch Idioms 24 – Fault and Justice Posted by Sten on Sep 24, 2021
It’s Friday! How did your week go? Had a good one? Or did you spill your coffee on your way to work, having to go home and change only to arrive at work too late, and your boss telling you eigen schuld, dikke bult? It’s a thing we say in Dutch, which literally means “own fault…
Dutch Idioms 23 – Stealing Animals! Posted by Sten on Jul 19, 2021
In general, stelen (stealing) isn’t a good thing. In fact, most people would say it’s never right. But this depends on the point of view, of course! The one that steals might feel like they’re justified in their actions – the one that’s being robbed probably feels quite differently about that. Today, let’s look at two Dutch…
Dutch Idioms 22 – Clocks Posted by Sten on Jun 25, 2021
Welcome to another post on Dutch Idioms. Today, we have a spreekwoord (saying) and an uitdrukking (expression) on time – specifically related to our timepieces! While one is comforting, the other is rather stressful. These two idioms show you how differently time can be perceived, even if measured by the same device! For other idioms in this series, click…