Signification
To leave someone when they need help.
Contexte culturel
In the Dutch 'poldermodel', consensus and reliability are key. Leaving someone 'in de steek' is seen as a breach of the social contract that keeps the society (and the dikes) functioning. Flemish culture often uses this phrase in a more domestic or community-focused way, emphasizing the 'trouw' (loyalty) to one's local group or family. In Surinamese Dutch, the phrase is used similarly, but often with a more dramatic flair in storytelling to emphasize betrayal. In modern Dutch offices, 'iemand in de steek laten' is a serious accusation during performance reviews, often linked to a lack of 'ownership'.
Use for Tech
This is the most natural way to complain about your computer or car. It makes you sound very native!
Strong Emotion
Be careful using this with friends; it sounds like a serious accusation of betrayal.
Signification
To leave someone when they need help.
Use for Tech
This is the most natural way to complain about your computer or car. It makes you sound very native!
Strong Emotion
Be careful using this with friends; it sounds like a serious accusation of betrayal.
Passive Voice
Use 'Ik voel me in de steek gelaten' to express hurt feelings without directly attacking the other person.
Teste-toi
Vul de juiste vorm van 'in de steek laten' in.
Toen ik geen geld meer had, ______ al mijn vrienden me ______.
The sentence is in the past tense ('Toen ik geen geld meer had'), so 'lieten' is the correct conjugation.
Welke zin is correct?
Mijn computer werkt niet meer.
'In de steek laten' is the standard way to describe a machine failing you.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: Kom je me helpen met schilderen? B: Sorry, ik heb echt geen tijd. A: Wat?! Je ______!
A is expressing that B is failing to provide promised or expected help.
Match de situatie met de zin.
Situatie: Je stem doet het niet tijdens een liedje.
The body part (subject) fails the person (object).
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesToen ik geen geld meer had, ______ al mijn vrienden me ______.
The sentence is in the past tense ('Toen ik geen geld meer had'), so 'lieten' is the correct conjugation.
Mijn computer werkt niet meer.
'In de steek laten' is the standard way to describe a machine failing you.
A: Kom je me helpen met schilderen? B: Sorry, ik heb echt geen tijd. A: Wat?! Je ______!
A is expressing that B is failing to provide promised or expected help.
Situatie: Je stem doet het niet tijdens een liedje.
The body part (subject) fails the person (object).
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes! 'Mijn batterij liet me in de steek' is very common.
It is always singular: 'in de steek'.
It's not a swear word, but it is a strong criticism.
'Verlaten' is neutral (to leave a room); 'in de steek laten' implies you should have stayed to help.
Yes, if you don't feed him or take care of him when he's sick.
Use the passive: 'Ik ben in de steek gelaten'.
Not always. For machines, it just means they broke down.
Yes, but it's quite direct. Use it only if you want to emphasize a serious failure.
There isn't one direct idiom, but 'iemand steunen' (to support someone) is the functional opposite.
Yes, 'steek' can mean a sting, a stitch, or a thrust.
Expressions liées
iemand laten zitten
synonymTo stand someone up or fail to help.
iemand in de kou laten staan
similarTo leave someone in the cold.
iemand aan zijn lot overladen
specialized formTo leave someone to their fate.
iemand de rug toekeren
contrastTo turn one's back on someone.
