Meaning
An informal way to say start working hard.
Cultural Background
The phrase reflects the 'Poldermodel' mentality: everyone needs to contribute and work hard to keep the land dry and the economy running. While understood, Flemish speakers might more often use 'aan de slag' or 'er invliegen'. 'Aan de bak' sounds very 'Northern Dutch' to them. Using this phrase in a meeting can signal that you are a 'doer' rather than just a 'talker', which is highly valued in Dutch business. Dutch students use 'aan de bak' specifically for 'blokken' (cramming) before exams, often with a sense of shared suffering.
Use with 'flink'
Adding 'flink' (considerably/hard) before 'aan de bak' makes you sound very native. 'We moeten flink aan de bak!'
Context is key
Don't use this if you are just doing something light, like checking one email. It implies a sustained effort.
Meaning
An informal way to say start working hard.
Use with 'flink'
Adding 'flink' (considerably/hard) before 'aan de bak' makes you sound very native. 'We moeten flink aan de bak!'
Context is key
Don't use this if you are just doing something light, like checking one email. It implies a sustained effort.
The 'Sunday Night' Blues
Dutch people often post 'Morgen weer aan de bak' on social media on Sunday evenings. It's a great way to connect with locals.
Directness
Don't be offended if a Dutch boss tells you 'aan de bak!'. It's not necessarily rude; it's just direct and task-oriented.
Test Yourself
Vul de juiste woorden in om de zin af te maken.
De vakantie is voorbij. Morgen moeten we weer flink ___ ___ ___.
'Aan de bak' is the correct idiomatic expression for getting back to hard work.
Welke zin is het meest natuurlijk in een informele werksituatie?
Je wilt je collega's motiveren om te beginnen.
Option B is a natural, motivating way to start work. A is too formal, and C means 'let's go to prison'.
Match de situatie met de juiste reactie.
Situatie: Je ziet dat je favoriete voetbalteam met 2-0 achterstaat in de rust.
The necessity ('moeten') and the challenge make 'aan de bak' the perfect fit here.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: Heb je zin in het project? B: Niet echt, het is veel werk. Maar ja, we zullen wel ...
'Moeten' expresses the obligation that 'B' feels toward the work.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Work Phrases by Formality
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDe vakantie is voorbij. Morgen moeten we weer flink ___ ___ ___.
'Aan de bak' is the correct idiomatic expression for getting back to hard work.
Je wilt je collega's motiveren om te beginnen.
Option B is a natural, motivating way to start work. A is too formal, and C means 'let's go to prison'.
Situatie: Je ziet dat je favoriete voetbalteam met 2-0 achterstaat in de rust.
The necessity ('moeten') and the challenge make 'aan de bak' the perfect fit here.
A: Heb je zin in het project? B: Niet echt, het is veel werk. Maar ja, we zullen wel ...
'Moeten' expresses the obligation that 'B' feels toward the work.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNo, it's not rude, but it is informal. It's like saying 'get to it' in English. Use it with colleagues, friends, and family.
Absolutely. While it has physical origins, it's now used for studying, coding, writing, or any demanding task.
'Aan de slag' is more neutral and professional. 'Aan de bak' implies more sweat and effort.
No. Although 'bak' is slang for car, in this specific idiom, it refers to the old kneading trough or mess-tin.
It's better to say 'Ik ben aan het werk'. 'Aan de bak' is usually for the start or the requirement of work.
Yes, but less frequently than in the Netherlands. Flemish people might prefer 'aan de slag'.
Maybe not in the first 5 minutes, but you could say 'Ik heb zin om bij jullie aan de bak te gaan' to show enthusiasm.
Yes: 'Ik moest gisteren flink aan de bak.'
Etymologically, yes (the kneading bin), but modern users don't usually think about bread when they say it.
No, the phrase is always singular.
Very. Commentators use it constantly when a team needs to defend or score.
'De handen uit de mouwen steken' is a great, slightly more formal synonym.
Related Phrases
aan de slag gaan
similarTo get started on a task.
de handen uit de mouwen steken
synonymTo roll up one's sleeves.
niet lullen maar poetsen
similarDon't talk, just work.
gas geven
similarTo speed up or work harder.
er tegenaan gaan
similarTo give it your all.
