Meaning
To have a hostile relationship with someone.
Cultural Background
The Dutch 'Rijdende Rechter' (a TV judge) often deals with people who 'op voet van oorlog staan' over hedges and noise. It's a national trope. In Flanders, the phrase is equally common, but they might also use 'in de clinch liggen' more frequently in casual speech. In the Dutch business world, 'polderen' is the goal. Being 'op voet van oorlog' is seen as a failure of leadership. During the 80 Years' War, being on a 'war footing' was a literal, constant state for many Dutch cities.
Use with 'met'
Always remember the 'met'! You are on a war footing WITH someone.
Don't use 'zijn'
Avoid saying 'Ik ben op voet van oorlog'. Use 'staan' to sound like a native.
Meaning
To have a hostile relationship with someone.
Use with 'met'
Always remember the 'met'! You are on a war footing WITH someone.
Don't use 'zijn'
Avoid saying 'Ik ben op voet van oorlog'. Use 'staan' to sound like a native.
Humorous use
Use it for inanimate objects (computers, cars) to sound more expressive and funny in Dutch.
The 'Rijdende Rechter' effect
Mentioning this phrase in a neighbor context will immediately make Dutch people think of the famous TV judge.
Test Yourself
Vul het juiste werkwoord in (let op de tijd!).
Vorig jaar ____ de twee broers op voet van oorlog met elkaar.
'Vorig jaar' indicates the past tense, and 'broers' is plural, so 'stonden' is correct.
Welk voorzetsel hoort bij deze uitdrukking?
Ik sta op voet van oorlog ____ mijn nieuwe printer.
The fixed preposition for this idiom is 'met'.
In welke situatie gebruik je deze uitdrukking?
Je ziet twee collega's die al een maand niet tegen elkaar praten en boos kijken.
The description of silence and anger fits the 'war footing' idiom.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: Gaan we naar het feestje van Jan? B: Nee, ik ga niet. Jan en ik ____.
This is the standard form of the idiom to explain why you won't visit someone.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesVorig jaar ____ de twee broers op voet van oorlog met elkaar.
'Vorig jaar' indicates the past tense, and 'broers' is plural, so 'stonden' is correct.
Ik sta op voet van oorlog ____ mijn nieuwe printer.
The fixed preposition for this idiom is 'met'.
Je ziet twee collega's die al een maand niet tegen elkaar praten en boos kijken.
The description of silence and anger fits the 'war footing' idiom.
A: Gaan we naar het feestje van Jan? B: Nee, ik ga niet. Jan en ik ____.
This is the standard form of the idiom to explain why you won't visit someone.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's perfect for friends! It can be used seriously or dramatically for a bit of humor.
Technically yes, but nobody says it anymore. It sounds very old-fashioned.
Usually no. It describes the *tension* and the *hostile relationship*, not necessarily a fistfight.
Yes, to describe the rivalry between two teams or their fans.
In this idiom, it is always just 'voet'. No 'de'.
Stond op voet van oorlog / stonden op voet van oorlog.
Yes, it's a very common way to describe a toxic work relationship.
Yes, Flemish speakers use this idiom just as much as people in the Netherlands.
No, 'zitten' (to sit) is not used here. Only 'staan' or occasionally 'leven'.
Yes, it's quite strong. It implies a serious conflict, not just a small annoyance.
Related Phrases
op gespannen voet staan met
similarTo be on tense terms with.
in de clinch liggen met
similarTo be in a struggle/argument with.
water en vuur zijn
synonymTo be like water and fire.
elkaar in de haren vliegen
builds onTo fly into each other's hair.
de strijdbijl begraven
contrastTo bury the hatchet.
