Meaning
To avoid getting involved in a conflict.
Cultural Background
In Dutch corporate culture, staying 'buiten schot' is often seen as a survival tactic during 'polderen' (consensus-seeking). However, being too neutral can sometimes be perceived as a lack of leadership. The phrase is equally common in Flanders. It is often used in the context of the complex Belgian political structure where different levels of government try to stay 'buiten schot' when problems arise. In international business contexts in the Netherlands, this phrase is frequently used in 'post-mortems' of failed projects to identify who was protected and who was blamed. Dutch journalists use this phrase constantly. It is a staple of political reporting, especially during 'debatten' in the Tweede Kamer.
Use with 'weten te'
Combine it with 'weten te' (to manage to) to sound very natural: 'Hij wist buiten schot te blijven.'
No 'het'!
Never say 'buiten het schot'. It's a fixed expression.
Meaning
To avoid getting involved in a conflict.
Use with 'weten te'
Combine it with 'weten te' (to manage to) to sound very natural: 'Hij wist buiten schot te blijven.'
No 'het'!
Never say 'buiten het schot'. It's a fixed expression.
The Teflon Effect
In the Netherlands, Mark Rutte was often called the 'Teflon-premier' because he always stayed 'buiten schot'.
Test Yourself
Vul het juiste werkwoord in (let op de tijd!).
Hoewel de hele afdeling kritiek kreeg, ______ de manager buiten schot.
We use the past tense 'bleef' because the sentence describes a completed event in the past.
Welke zin is correct?
Kies de juiste idiomatische zin.
The idiom 'buiten schot blijven' never uses an article (de/het/een).
Maak de dialoog af.
A: 'Er is veel gedoe over het nieuwe project.' B: 'Ik weet het, maar gelukkig heb ik er niets mee te maken. Ik...'
'Blijven' is the most natural and common verb to use in this context.
In welke situatie gebruik je 'buiten schot blijven'?
Match de situatie.
The idiom is used for avoiding involvement in conflicts or criticism.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Buiten Schot vs. Buiten Spel
Practice Bank
4 exercisesHoewel de hele afdeling kritiek kreeg, ______ de manager buiten schot.
We use the past tense 'bleef' because the sentence describes a completed event in the past.
Kies de juiste idiomatische zin.
The idiom 'buiten schot blijven' never uses an article (de/het/een).
A: 'Er is veel gedoe over het nieuwe project.' B: 'Ik weet het, maar gelukkig heb ik er niets mee te maken. Ik...'
'Blijven' is the most natural and common verb to use in this context.
Match de situatie.
The idiom is used for avoiding involvement in conflicts or criticism.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it in a newspaper, a business meeting, or with friends.
Rarely. It's almost always used metaphorically for criticism or blame.
The opposite is 'in de vuurlinie liggen' (to be in the line of fire) or 'de volle laag krijgen'.
Yes, 'blijven' is the main verb and changes based on the subject and tense.
It is always 'buiten schot' without the article.
Yes, it's positive for the person who is safe, though others might find it annoying.
It comes from military warfare, specifically the range of muskets and cannons.
Yes, that means you are protecting someone else.
Yes, it is used throughout the entire Dutch-speaking area.
Yes, it's perfect for intermediate learners to express complex social situations.
No, use 'onderuit komen' for that.
It means 'shot' or 'firing range'.
Only in that both use 'buiten', but the meanings are very different.
Start with an 's', then a raspy 'g', then 'ot'.
Related Phrases
de dans ontspringen
synonymTo narrowly escape a disaster or punishment.
buiten schot houden
specialized formTo protect someone else from criticism.
je handen in onschuld wassen
similarTo claim innocence in a matter.
buiten schot staan
similarTo be out of the line of fire.
de wind van voren krijgen
contrastTo receive heavy criticism.
