Signification
To be stingy with money.
Contexte culturel
The Dutch 'Tikkie' culture is a modern extension of this idiom. It is socially acceptable to send a payment request for as little as 50 cents. The religious history of the Netherlands emphasizes that waste is a sin. Frugality is seen as a sign of good character. In Dutch business culture, 'de hand op de knip houden' is often praised as 'efficiency' rather than criticized as 'cheapness'. While being frugal is respected, being 'gierig' (stingy) is still looked down upon. The line is often whether you are frugal with yourself or with others.
Use it for 'Budgeting'
If you want to sound like a native speaker when discussing your finances, use this instead of 'ik wil geld sparen'. It sounds much more natural.
Don't use 'mijn'
It is almost always 'DE hand', not 'MIJN hand'. Using 'mijn' makes it sound like a literal physical action rather than an idiom.
Signification
To be stingy with money.
Use it for 'Budgeting'
If you want to sound like a native speaker when discussing your finances, use this instead of 'ik wil geld sparen'. It sounds much more natural.
Don't use 'mijn'
It is almost always 'DE hand', not 'MIJN hand'. Using 'mijn' makes it sound like a literal physical action rather than an idiom.
The 'Zuinig' Virtue
Remember that in the Netherlands, being 'zuinig' is often a compliment. Don't be afraid to use this phrase to describe yourself!
Teste-toi
Vul het juiste woord in.
Omdat we sparen voor een huis, moeten we de hand op de ___ houden.
The idiom is 'de hand op de knip houden'.
Wat betekent deze zin?
De minister houdt de hand op de knip.
The idiom means being careful with money.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: Gaan we morgen winkelen? B: Nee, ik heb deze maand al te veel uitgegeven. Ik moet ...
Context requires a phrase about saving money.
Combineer de tegenovergestelde uitdrukkingen.
Match the opposites:
'Geld over de balk smijten' means to waste money.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesOmdat we sparen voor een huis, moeten we de hand op de ___ houden.
The idiom is 'de hand op de knip houden'.
De minister houdt de hand op de knip.
The idiom means being careful with money.
A: Gaan we morgen winkelen? B: Nee, ik heb deze maand al te veel uitgegeven. Ik moet ...
Context requires a phrase about saving money.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
'Geld over de balk smijten' means to waste money.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
8 questionsNo, it's generally neutral. However, if you say it about someone else with a sarcastic tone, it can imply they are stingy.
Strictly speaking, no. It is almost exclusively used for financial resources.
It's the metal snap-clasp on old purses. You might still see them on vintage-style coin pouches.
Yes, it's a very common variation. Some people feel 'vinger' sounds even more strict than 'hand'.
Use 'hield': 'Wij hielden vorig jaar de hand op de knip.'
Yes, it is common in both the Netherlands and Flanders.
No, the verb is always 'houden' (to keep).
Younger people might say 'op de centen zitten' or use 'skeer' (broke), but 'de hand op de knip' remains very popular across all ages.
Expressions liées
Op de kleintjes letten
similarTo watch the small expenses.
Geld over de balk smijten
contrastTo throw money over the beam (waste money).
De vinger op de knip houden
synonymTo keep a finger on the clasp.
De tering naar de nering zetten
builds onTo adjust spending to income.
