Significado
to be stubborn and refuse to cooperate
Contexto cultural
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.
Significado
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.
Ponte a prueba
Vul het juiste werkwoord in (staan, zetten, of gaan).
De vakbonden ___ de hakken in het zand tijdens het overleg.
We use 'zetten' when the action of resisting starts.
Wat betekent deze zin?
Jan staat met de hakken in het zand.
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 ___.
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'.
Stubbornly refusing to change or let go of something is the core meaning.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosDe vakbonden ___ de hakken in het zand tijdens het overleg.
We use 'zetten' when the action of resisting starts.
Jan staat met de hakken in het zand.
The idiom means being stubborn and refusing to cooperate.
A: Wil je echt niet mee naar dat feestje? B: Nee, ik heb geen zin. A: Je hoeft niet meteen ___.
This is the most natural way to respond to someone being stubborn in a conversation.
Kies de situatie waarin iemand 'met de hakken in het zand staat'.
Stubbornly refusing to change or let go of something is the core meaning.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
8 preguntasIt'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.'
Frases relacionadas
de poot stijf houden
similarTo refuse to give in or change one's mind.
geen duimbreed wijken
synonymNot yielding an inch.
de kont tegen de krib gooien
similarTo be recalcitrant or rebellious.
water bij de wijn doen
contrastTo compromise (put water in the wine).
