Meaning
To accept a difficult task.
Cultural Background
In Dutch politics, this phrase is used to signal 'political will.' When a minister says they will pick up the glove, they are making a public commitment to solve a problem. The phrase is equally common in Flanders. It is often heard in the context of cycling races, where a rider 'picks up the glove' by chasing a breakaway. In Dutch 'poldermodel' business culture, picking up the glove is seen as a sign of leadership. It distinguishes 'entrepreneurs' from 'employees.' The imagery of the glove is tied to the concept of 'eer' (honor). Even today, using the phrase implies that your professional or personal honor is at stake.
Use it in Cover Letters
This is a great phrase for a Dutch cover letter (sollicitatiebrief). It shows you are proactive and not afraid of hard work.
Don't forget the 'OP'
If you just say 'Ik pak de handschoen', it means 'I grab the glove'. You need the 'op' at the end to make it 'accepting a challenge'.
Meaning
To accept a difficult task.
Use it in Cover Letters
This is a great phrase for a Dutch cover letter (sollicitatiebrief). It shows you are proactive and not afraid of hard work.
Don't forget the 'OP'
If you just say 'Ik pak de handschoen', it means 'I grab the glove'. You need the 'op' at the end to make it 'accepting a challenge'.
Oppakken vs Opnemen
Use 'opnemen' if you want to sound slightly more intellectual or if you are writing a formal article. Use 'oppakken' for spoken business Dutch.
The 'Polder' Context
Dutch people love consensus, but they also love 'aanpakkers' (people who get things done). Using this phrase marks you as an 'aanpakker'.
Test Yourself
Vul de juiste vorm van 'oppakken' in.
Gisteren _______ de minister de handschoen _______.
Since the sentence starts with 'Gisteren' (Yesterday), we need the past tense. Because it's a main clause, the separable verb splits.
Welke zin is correct gebruikt?
Kies de beste context voor de uitdrukking.
This option correctly uses the idiom in its figurative sense of taking responsibility for a difficult task.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: 'De concurrentie is erg sterk dit jaar.' B: 'Inderdaad, we zullen ...'
In a business context with strong competition, 'picking up the glove' means responding to the challenge.
Match de situatie met de actie.
Situatie: Een bedrijf krijgt veel klachten over hun klantenservice.
Improving the service in response to a problem is a classic example of 'de handschoen oppakken'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesGisteren _______ de minister de handschoen _______.
Since the sentence starts with 'Gisteren' (Yesterday), we need the past tense. Because it's a main clause, the separable verb splits.
Kies de beste context voor de uitdrukking.
This option correctly uses the idiom in its figurative sense of taking responsibility for a difficult task.
A: 'De concurrentie is erg sterk dit jaar.' B: 'Inderdaad, we zullen ...'
In a business context with strong competition, 'picking up the glove' means responding to the challenge.
Situatie: Een bedrijf krijgt veel klachten over hun klantenservice.
Improving the service in response to a problem is a classic example of 'de handschoen oppakken'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but mostly in professional or serious contexts. You won't hear it much while grocery shopping, but you'll hear it every day on the news or in the office.
It's better not to. It implies a 'challenge'. If the task is easy, just use 'iets doen' or 'iets regelen'.
There is no difference in meaning. 'Opnemen' is slightly more formal/old-fashioned, while 'oppakken' is more common in modern speech.
It is always 'DE handschoen'.
No, the idiom is fixed in the singular: 'de handschoen'. Using plural would make it literal.
No, nowadays it almost always means a difficult task, a project, or a responsibility. The 'fight' is purely metaphorical.
Yes, it is very common in both the Netherlands and Flanders.
That is 'de handschoen toewerpen'. It's the starting point of the challenge.
Yes: 'Ik pakte de handschoen op' or 'Ik heb de handschoen opgepakt'.
No, it is a standard idiom. It's safe to use with your boss or in a formal speech.
Related Phrases
de handschoen toewerpen
contrastTo challenge someone.
de uitdaging aangaan
synonymTo take on the challenge.
de stoute schoenen aantrekken
similarTo gather one's courage to do something.
de koe bij de horens vatten
similarTo take the bull by the horns.
