Significado
To be careful not to commit fully.
Contexto cultural
The phrase is a cornerstone of Dutch 'polderen'. It allows for negotiation without immediate conflict. In Dutch business, keeping a 'slag om de arm' is seen as a sign of a realistic and trustworthy partner, rather than an indecisive one. Dutch news anchors and weather presenters use this phrase almost daily to maintain journalistic integrity. It is a polite way to decline an invitation slowly or to warn someone that you might cancel.
Sound like a local
Use this when someone asks for a deadline you aren't sure about. It sounds much more professional than 'I don't know'.
Don't overdo it
If you use it for every single question, people might think you are afraid of commitment.
Significado
To be careful not to commit fully.
Sound like a local
Use this when someone asks for a deadline you aren't sure about. It sounds much more professional than 'I don't know'.
Don't overdo it
If you use it for every single question, people might think you are afraid of commitment.
Ponte a prueba
Vul het juiste werkwoord in.
Ik ___ een slag om de arm wat betreft de planning.
The standard verb for this idiom is 'houden'.
Wat betekent deze zin?
De weerman houdt een slag om de arm.
The idiom means to be cautious and not commit fully to a statement.
In welke situatie is deze zin het meest logisch?
Ik houd een slag om de arm over de leverdatum.
This is a professional way to manage expectations about a delivery date.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: Kom je vanavond naar mijn feestje? B: Ik denk het wel, maar ___.
This is the correct idiomatic way to express a tentative 'yes'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosIk ___ een slag om de arm wat betreft de planning.
The standard verb for this idiom is 'houden'.
De weerman houdt een slag om de arm.
The idiom means to be cautious and not commit fully to a statement.
Ik houd een slag om de arm over de leverdatum.
This is a professional way to manage expectations about a delivery date.
A: Kom je vanavond naar mijn feestje? B: Ik denk het wel, maar ___.
This is the correct idiomatic way to express a tentative 'yes'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt is neutral. You can use it with your boss or with your friends.
No, that sounds like you have a physical bandage. Always use 'de arm'.
To keep one's options open or to hedge one's bets.
Both are used, but 'houden' is much more common.
A 'slag' refers to a single turn or loop of a rope.
Yes: 'Ik hield een slag om de arm.'
Yes, it is common in both the Netherlands and Flanders.
No, it usually sounds realistic and prudent.
Yes, like whether you'll have a second cup of coffee.
Not really, but 'onder voorbehoud' is a more concise formal alternative.
Frases relacionadas
onder voorbehoud
synonymWith reservations / subject to conditions.
een achterdeurtje openhouden
similarTo keep a back door open.
alle opties openhouden
similarTo keep all options open.
kleur bekennen
contrastTo show one's true colors / to take a stand.
