Meaning
Resume something after an interruption.
Cultural Background
The Dutch value 'nuchterheid' (down-to-earthness). Using this phrase shows you are ready to stop talking about your holiday and get back to being productive. In Flanders, the phrase is also very common, though you might hear 'de draad opnemen' slightly more often than in the Netherlands. In Dutch corporate culture, 'de draad oppakken' is often used in meeting minutes (notulen) to indicate a return to the agenda after a digression. Authors use 'de rode draad' (the red thread) to describe the central theme of a book, which is a cousin to our idiom.
Use 'weer'
Always add 'weer' (again) to sound more natural. 'Ik pak de draad weer op' sounds much better than 'Ik pak de draad op'.
Separable Verb
Don't forget to put 'op' at the very end of your sentence!
Meaning
Resume something after an interruption.
Use 'weer'
Always add 'weer' (again) to sound more natural. 'Ik pak de draad weer op' sounds much better than 'Ik pak de draad op'.
Separable Verb
Don't forget to put 'op' at the very end of your sentence!
The 'Vakantie' Context
This is the #1 most common phrase to use on your first day back from holiday. Use it to impress your Dutch colleagues.
Test Yourself
Vul het juiste deel van het scheidbare werkwoord in.
Na de lunch _____ ik de draad weer _____.
The subject is 'ik', so the verb is 'pak'. Since it's a main clause, 'op' goes to the end.
Welke zin is correct?
A: Ik ben de draad kwijt. B: Ik ben de draad gevonden.
'De draad kwijt zijn' is the correct idiom for losing your train of thought.
Maak de dialoog af.
Collega: 'Ben je klaar met je pauze?' Jij: 'Ja, ik ga nu...'
You want to say you are resuming your work.
In welke situatie gebruik je 'de draad oppakken'?
Situatie: Je komt terug van een vakantie van twee weken.
This is the perfect context for this idiom.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesNa de lunch _____ ik de draad weer _____.
The subject is 'ik', so the verb is 'pak'. Since it's a main clause, 'op' goes to the end.
A: Ik ben de draad kwijt. B: Ik ben de draad gevonden.
'De draad kwijt zijn' is the correct idiom for losing your train of thought.
Collega: 'Ben je klaar met je pauze?' Jij: 'Ja, ik ga nu...'
You want to say you are resuming your work.
Situatie: Je komt terug van een vakantie van twee weken.
This is the perfect context for this idiom.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsYes! If you paused a movie and want to continue, you can say: 'Laten we de draad weer oppakken.'
It is always 'de draad'.
Yes, it is common to say you are picking up the thread of a relationship after a fight or a break.
Ik pakte de draad op (Imperfect) or Ik heb de draad opgepakt (Perfect).
It is neutral. You can use it anywhere.
Yes, but in this idiom, it specifically refers to 'thread' used for sewing.
Yes, but that is the literal meaning, which is rarely used compared to the idiom.
You can just say 'verdergaan' (to continue), but it's less colorful.
Because you are picking it 'up' from where it fell.
Only if you've done that type of work before. If it's a brand new career, it doesn't fit.
Then you say 'Ik ben de draad kwijt.'
Yes, it is standard Dutch used in both the Netherlands and Belgium.
Absolutely. 'Na mijn vakantie pak ik de draad weer op' is a perfect email sentence.
That is the 'red thread' or main theme of something, not the act of resuming.
Related Phrases
De draad kwijt zijn
contrastTo lose one's train of thought.
De rode draad
similarThe central theme.
Weer aan de slag gaan
synonymTo get back to work.
De draad opvatten
synonymTo resume.
