Bedeutung
Fleeing from something.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The Dutch have a long history of providing asylum to those 'op de vlucht'. This is reflected in the neutral, often empathetic tone used in news reports about refugees. In Flanders, you might also hear 'op de loop zijn', which is slightly more common in informal speech than in the Netherlands. In Surinamese Dutch, the phrase is used similarly, but often with a more dramatic flair in storytelling. The phrase remains a key part of the identity of Dutch-descendants who fled during historical events, like the 'Boeren' in South Africa.
Use with 'voor'
Always remember that 'voor' means 'from' in this context. 'Op de vlucht voor de politie' = 'On the run from the police'.
Not for travel
Don't use this for your holiday flight! People will think you are a criminal.
Bedeutung
Fleeing from something.
Use with 'voor'
Always remember that 'voor' means 'from' in this context. 'Op de vlucht voor de politie' = 'On the run from the police'.
Not for travel
Don't use this for your holiday flight! People will think you are a criminal.
News context
If you hear this on the NOS Journaal, pay attention to the word 'voortvluchtig' which often follows.
Refugee sensitivity
When talking about 'vluchtelingen', this phrase is the most neutral and respectful way to describe their situation.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing preposition and article.
De crimineel is ___ ___ vlucht voor de politie.
The fixed phrase is always 'op de vlucht'.
Which sentence is correct for a news report?
Choose the best sentence:
This correctly uses the phrase to describe a fugitive's state.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Waarom rent die man zo hard? B: Hij heeft een tas gestolen en is nu ___.
Context of stealing a bag implies escaping.
Match the sentence to the context.
Match 'Hij is op de vlucht voor zijn emoties' to the correct context.
This is a figurative use of the phrase.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenDe crimineel is ___ ___ vlucht voor de politie.
The fixed phrase is always 'op de vlucht'.
Choose the best sentence:
This correctly uses the phrase to describe a fugitive's state.
A: Waarom rent die man zo hard? B: Hij heeft een tas gestolen en is nu ___.
Context of stealing a bag implies escaping.
Match 'Hij is op de vlucht voor zijn emoties' to the correct context.
This is a figurative use of the phrase.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, it is also used for refugees, animals escaping predators, and metaphorically for people avoiding emotions.
Yes, but that describes the action of running at this very second. 'Op de vlucht zijn' describes the overall state.
'Ontsnappen' is the moment you get free (escape). 'Vluchten' is the act of running away after that.
It is always 'op de vlucht'. 'In de vlucht' is not a standard Dutch expression.
You use 'vluchteling' (refugee) or 'voortvluchtige' (criminal fugitive).
Yes, 'De vogel is op de vlucht voor de kat' is perfectly natural.
It is neutral. It can be used in both news reports and casual conversations.
It means 'to take flight' or 'to start running away suddenly'.
No, use 'Ik heb haast' or 'Ik ben te laat'.
No, 'vlucht' stays singular: 'Zij zijn op de vlucht'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Op de vlucht slaan
builds onTo suddenly start fleeing.
Voortvluchtig
specialized formFugitive (adjective).
Vluchteling
relatedRefugee.
Ontsnappen
similarTo escape.
Onderduiken
contrastTo go into hiding.
