Bedeutung
To accept a challenge.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In the Dutch 'Tweede Kamer' (Parliament), using this phrase signals a formal shift from policy discussion to a direct political confrontation. It is a sign of respect for the 'rules of the game' while showing strength. The 'gauntlet' was a symbol of a man's legal personality. To touch or throw it was a serious legal act. This shared history is why the idiom exists in English, French, German, and Dutch. While the Dutch value consensus, 'de handschoen opnemen' is used when a company needs to be 'assertief' (assertive) against foreign competitors. It's a call to action for innovation. Dutch sports reporters love this phrase during the 'Tour de France' or 'Eredivisie' matches. It adds a sense of epic struggle to the reporting.
Use in Cover Letters
Using this phrase in a Dutch cover letter (sollicitatiebrief) shows you have a high level of the language and a proactive attitude. 'Ik neem graag de handschoen op om uw team te versterken.'
Separable Verb Trap
Don't forget to put 'op' at the end! 'Ik neem de handschoen op' (Correct) vs 'Ik opneem de handschoen' (Incorrect).
Bedeutung
To accept a challenge.
Use in Cover Letters
Using this phrase in a Dutch cover letter (sollicitatiebrief) shows you have a high level of the language and a proactive attitude. 'Ik neem graag de handschoen op om uw team te versterken.'
Separable Verb Trap
Don't forget to put 'op' at the end! 'Ik neem de handschoen op' (Correct) vs 'Ik opneem de handschoen' (Incorrect).
The 'Oppakken' Trend
In modern offices, you'll often hear 'de handschoen oppakken.' It's slightly less formal but means the same thing. Stick to 'opnemen' for writing.
Teste dich selbst
Vul de juiste vorm van het werkwoord 'opnemen' in.
Gisteren _______ de minister de handschoen _______ na de felle kritiek.
The sentence starts with 'Gisteren' (yesterday), so we need the past tense (OVT). Since it's a separable verb, 'nam' comes first and 'op' goes to the end.
Welke zin is correct gebruikt?
Kies de zin die de idioom correct gebruikt.
This is the correct figurative use in a formal/business context. The others are either too trivial, literal, or grammatically incorrect.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: 'De tegenstander zegt dat we te bang zijn om te debatteren.' B: 'Dat laten we niet op ons zitten! We zullen...'
'De handschoen opnemen' is the correct response to a challenge or provocation.
Combineer de idioom met de juiste betekenis.
Match de zinnen.
These are three related idioms about fighting and challenges.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenGisteren _______ de minister de handschoen _______ na de felle kritiek.
The sentence starts with 'Gisteren' (yesterday), so we need the past tense (OVT). Since it's a separable verb, 'nam' comes first and 'op' goes to the end.
Kies de zin die de idioom correct gebruikt.
This is the correct figurative use in a formal/business context. The others are either too trivial, literal, or grammatically incorrect.
A: 'De tegenstander zegt dat we te bang zijn om te debatteren.' B: 'Dat laten we niet op ons zitten! We zullen...'
'De handschoen opnemen' is the correct response to a challenge or provocation.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
These are three related idioms about fighting and challenges.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt is always 'de handschoen'.
No, it sounds weird. Use it for significant challenges or formal provocations.
'De handdoek in de ring gooien' (to give up) or 'de handschoen laten liggen' (to ignore the challenge).
Yes, it is common in both the Netherlands and Flanders.
Technically yes, but the idiom is almost always singular. Plural sounds like you are getting ready for winter.
The origin is old, but the usage is very modern in news and business.
That is 'de handschoen toewerpen'.
Only if you are being very dramatic or funny, like 'challenging' someone to a date.
No, it only implies that you are accepting the fight/task. The outcome is still uncertain.
Forgetting that 'opnemen' is a separable verb and putting 'op' in the wrong place.
Verwandte Redewendungen
de handschoen toewerpen
contrastTo challenge someone.
de uitdaging aangaan
synonymTo take on the challenge.
de handdoek in de ring gooien
contrastTo give up / throw in the towel.
de strijd aanbinden
similarTo start the fight.
iemand de maat nemen
builds onTo judge someone's abilities.
