B2 Idiom 중립

met de hakken in het zand

dig one's heels in

to be stubborn and refuse to cooperate

🌍

문화적 배경

In the Dutch 'Poldermodel', consensus is key. Standing with your heels in the sand is often seen as 'un-Dutch' because it blocks the process of reaching an agreement. Dutch offices are generally non-hierarchical. If a subordinate 'zet de hakken in het zand', a manager will often try to talk it out rather than just giving an order. Dutch news headlines use this idiom constantly to describe strikes or international disputes (like EU negotiations). Dutch people value 'eerlijkheid' (honesty). If someone is being stubborn, a friend will likely tell them directly that they are 'met de hakken in het zand' standing.

🎯

Use 'gaan zitten' for extra emphasis

If you want to sound more native, use 'met de hakken in het zand gaan zitten'. It sounds more descriptive of someone settling into their stubbornness.

⚠️

Don't say 'voeten'

Even though 'voeten' means feet, saying 'met de voeten in het zand' will make people think you are talking about a beach holiday.

to be stubborn and refuse to cooperate

🎯

Use 'gaan zitten' for extra emphasis

If you want to sound more native, use 'met de hakken in het zand gaan zitten'. It sounds more descriptive of someone settling into their stubbornness.

⚠️

Don't say 'voeten'

Even though 'voeten' means feet, saying 'met de voeten in het zand' will make people think you are talking about a beach holiday.

💬

The Polder Context

Use this phrase in business meetings to describe a deadlock; it shows you understand Dutch negotiation culture.

셀프 테스트

Vul het juiste werkwoord in (staan, zetten, of gaan).

De vakbonden ___ de hakken in het zand tijdens het overleg.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: zetten

We use 'zetten' when the action of resisting starts.

Wat betekent deze zin?

Jan staat met de hakken in het zand.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Jan wil niet meewerken aan het plan.

The idiom means being stubborn and refusing to cooperate.

Maak de dialoog af.

A: Wil je echt niet mee naar dat feestje? B: Nee, ik heb geen zin. A: Je hoeft niet meteen ___.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: met de hakken in het zand te gaan zitten

This is the most natural way to respond to someone being stubborn in a conversation.

Welke situatie past bij het idioom?

Kies de situatie waarin iemand 'met de hakken in het zand staat'.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Een man die weigert zijn oude computer weg te doen, ook al is hij kapot.

Stubbornly refusing to change or let go of something is the core meaning.

🎉 점수: /4

시각 학습 자료

연습 문제 은행

4 연습 문제
Vul het juiste werkwoord in (staan, zetten, of gaan). Fill Blank B1

De vakbonden ___ de hakken in het zand tijdens het overleg.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: zetten

We use 'zetten' when the action of resisting starts.

Wat betekent deze zin? Choose A2

Jan staat met de hakken in het zand.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Jan wil niet meewerken aan het plan.

The idiom means being stubborn and refusing to cooperate.

Maak de dialoog af. dialogue_completion B2

A: Wil je echt niet mee naar dat feestje? B: Nee, ik heb geen zin. A: Je hoeft niet meteen ___.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: met de hakken in het zand te gaan zitten

This is the most natural way to respond to someone being stubborn in a conversation.

Welke situatie past bij het idioom? situation_matching B1

Kies de situatie waarin iemand 'met de hakken in het zand staat'.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Een man die weigert zijn oude computer weg te doen, ook al is hij kapot.

Stubbornly refusing to change or let go of something is the core meaning.

🎉 점수: /4

자주 묻는 질문

8 질문

It's not inherently rude, but it is a criticism. It's better to use it about a situation or a third party than directly to someone's face in a formal setting.

Usually, no. It almost always has a negative connotation of blocking progress. For positive steadfastness, use 'voet bij stuk houden'.

'Zetten' is the action of starting to resist. 'Staan' is the state of already being in resistance.

Yes, it is common in both the Netherlands and Flanders (Belgium).

No, the idiom is fixed with 'zand'. Changing it to 'modder' (mud) would be understood but sounds wrong.

Yes, it is frequently used in high-quality journalism and political analysis.

You can say: 'Ga niet zo met je hakken in het zand zitten!'

Yes, very often. 'De partijen staan met de hakken in het zand.'

관련 표현

🔗

de poot stijf houden

similar

To refuse to give in or change one's mind.

🔄

geen duimbreed wijken

synonym

Not yielding an inch.

🔗

de kont tegen de krib gooien

similar

To be recalcitrant or rebellious.

🔗

water bij de wijn doen

contrast

To compromise (put water in the wine).

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