Bedeutung
Starting to work hard.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase is deeply linked to the 'Poldermodel,' a Dutch tradition of consensus-based decision-making. Once a decision is reached, everyone is expected to 'de handen uit de mouwen te steken' to implement it. Rotterdam is known as the 'working city' of the Netherlands. The local mentality is famously summarized as 'niet lullen maar poetsen,' which is a more aggressive version of 'de handen uit de mouwen steken.' In Flanders, the phrase is also very common and carries the same meaning, though Flemish speakers might also use 'de handen uit de mouwen slaan' occasionally. In Dutch companies, a 'hands-on' mentality is highly prized. Even senior managers are often expected to help with basic tasks if needed, embodying this idiom.
Use it as a compliment
If you want to impress a Dutch person, tell them: 'Ik zie dat je echt de handen uit de mouwen steekt!' It's one of the best compliments you can give.
Don't use 'mijn'
Avoid saying 'mijn handen'. Stick to 'de handen' to sound more like a native speaker.
Bedeutung
Starting to work hard.
Use it as a compliment
If you want to impress a Dutch person, tell them: 'Ik zie dat je echt de handen uit de mouwen steekt!' It's one of the best compliments you can give.
Don't use 'mijn'
Avoid saying 'mijn handen'. Stick to 'de handen' to sound more like a native speaker.
The 'Doe-mentaliteit'
This phrase is the essence of the Dutch 'doe-mentaliteit' (do-mentality). It's better to do something imperfectly than to do nothing at all.
Teste dich selbst
Vul het juiste werkwoord in (tegenwoordige tijd).
Als we de tuin willen opruimen, _______ we de handen uit de mouwen.
In a main clause with 'we', we use the present plural form 'steken'.
Wat is de betekenis van deze uitdrukking?
De handen uit de mouwen steken.
The idiom means to start working hard.
Maak de zin af in dit gesprek.
A: Er ligt veel sneeuw op de oprit! B: Geen probleem, laten we ____________________.
This is the correct fixed form of the idiom.
Combineer de woorden om de uitdrukking te vormen.
Match the parts:
This is the standard order of the phrase.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenAls we de tuin willen opruimen, _______ we de handen uit de mouwen.
In a main clause with 'we', we use the present plural form 'steken'.
De handen uit de mouwen steken.
The idiom means to start working hard.
A: Er ligt veel sneeuw op de oprit! B: Geen probleem, laten we ____________________.
This is the correct fixed form of the idiom.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
This is the standard order of the phrase.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
5 FragenNo, it can also be used for mental or administrative work, as long as it requires effort and initiative.
Yes, it's perfectly acceptable in a professional email to show that you are ready to start a project.
It is an irregular verb: 'stak' (singular) and 'staken' (plural). The past participle is 'gestoken'.
Always 'de mouwen' in the standard idiom.
Yes, it is very common in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium.
Verwandte Redewendungen
De mouwen opstropen
synonymTo roll up one's sleeves.
De handen in de schoot leggen
contrastTo give up or do nothing.
Aan de slag gaan
similarTo get to work.
De bloemetjes buiten zetten
contrastTo go out and party.
