المعنى
Spending too much money.
خلفية ثقافية
The Dutch 'Calvinist' mindset often makes people critical of those who live on a big foot. It's seen as 'niet nuchter' (not sober/practical). In Flanders, the phrase is also common, but there is generally a slightly higher cultural tolerance for showing wealth compared to the Northern Netherlands. The phrase reminds us of the 'Poulaines' shoes, which were a pan-European fashion statement for the elite, showing that idioms can travel across borders through fashion. In the era of 'flexing' on Instagram, this phrase is used by Dutch influencers and their followers to describe the 'luxury lifestyle' aesthetic.
Use 'te' for criticism
If you want to sound critical of someone's spending, always add 'te' (too): 'Hij leeft op TE grote voet'.
Singular only
Never say 'grote voeten' (plural). It ruins the idiom and makes you sound like you're talking about actual feet.
المعنى
Spending too much money.
Use 'te' for criticism
If you want to sound critical of someone's spending, always add 'te' (too): 'Hij leeft op TE grote voet'.
Singular only
Never say 'grote voeten' (plural). It ruins the idiom and makes you sound like you're talking about actual feet.
Combine with 'sinds'
This idiom works perfectly with 'sinds' (since) to describe a change in someone's life.
اختبر نفسك
Vul de ontbrekende woorden in om de zin compleet te maken.
Sinds hij die prijs heeft gewonnen, leeft hij op ___ ___.
The idiom is always 'op grote voet', singular and without an article.
Wat betekent deze zin?
Mijn buren leven op te grote voet.
'Op te grote voet leven' specifically implies spending more than one's income allows.
Welke situatie past bij het idioom?
Kies de beste situatie voor 'op grote voet leven'.
Flying in a private jet is a clear sign of an extravagant, expensive lifestyle.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: Waarom heeft hij zoveel schulden? B: Omdat hij jarenlang ___ ___ ___ ___.
The past tense of 'leven' is 'leefde', and the idiom remains 'op grote voet'.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينSinds hij die prijs heeft gewonnen, leeft hij op ___ ___.
The idiom is always 'op grote voet', singular and without an article.
Mijn buren leven op te grote voet.
'Op te grote voet leven' specifically implies spending more than one's income allows.
Kies de beste situatie voor 'op grote voet leven'.
Flying in a private jet is a clear sign of an extravagant, expensive lifestyle.
A: Waarom heeft hij zoveel schulden? B: Omdat hij jarenlang ___ ___ ___ ___.
The past tense of 'leven' is 'leefde', and the idiom remains 'op grote voet'.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةNot necessarily. It can be a neutral description of a wealthy person. However, in the Netherlands, it often carries a slight warning or judgment.
Yes, you can say a company 'leeft op grote voet' if they have too many expensive offices and perks.
'Het breed laten hangen' is more informal and usually implies showing off to others, while 'op grote voet' is about the general lifestyle.
Yes, 'leven' is the verb and must match the subject and tense of your sentence.
Yes, it is common in both the Netherlands and Flanders.
Technically yes, to mean living modestly, but it is much less common than 'op grote voet'.
It's neutral, but in a job interview, it's better to use more professional terms like 'een hoog uitgavenpatroon'.
The best way is 'op te grote voet leven'.
Historically yes (the poulaine shoes), but in modern usage, no.
Yes: 'Toen hij rijk was, leefde hij op grote voet.'
عبارات ذات صلة
het breed laten hangen
synonymTo spend money freely and show off wealth.
geld over de balk gooien
similarTo waste money.
de tering naar de nering zetten
contrastTo adjust your spending to your income.
een gat in je hand hebben
similarTo be a spendthrift.
