Meaning
Losing control or exaggerating.
Cultural Background
Dutch people value 'beheersing' (self-control). Flying out of the bend is seen as a sign of weakness or lack of professionalism. The phrase is also used in Flanders, but they might use 'uit de bocht gaan' slightly more often than 'vliegen'. Because of Max Verstappen and world-class speed skaters, racing metaphors are everywhere in Dutch daily language. The 'Poldermodel' is about consensus. When a party refuses to compromise, they are often accused of 'uit de bocht vliegen'.
Use with 'volledig'
Adding 'volledig' (completely) makes you sound very native when describing a big mistake.
Not for small things
Don't use it if you just made a small typo. It's for big, visible 'crashes'.
Meaning
Losing control or exaggerating.
Use with 'volledig'
Adding 'volledig' (completely) makes you sound very native when describing a big mistake.
Not for small things
Don't use it if you just made a small typo. It's for big, visible 'crashes'.
Business context
Use this in meetings to describe a budget that is getting too high—it sounds professional yet idiomatic.
Test Yourself
Vul de juiste vorm van het werkwoord 'vliegen' in.
Gisteren _______ de discussie volledig uit de bocht.
The sentence is in the past tense ('Gisteren'), and 'discussie' is singular.
Wat betekent de zin: 'De kosten zijn uit de bocht gevlogen'?
De kosten zijn...
When costs 'fly out of the bend,' they have exceeded the budget significantly.
In welke situatie gebruik je 'uit de bocht vliegen'?
Kies de beste situatie:
The idiom is used for extreme behavior or losing control.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: 'Ik ga mijn hele salaris uitgeven aan deze auto!' B: 'Ho stop, nu _______.'
The correct idiom is 'uit de bocht vliegen'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesGisteren _______ de discussie volledig uit de bocht.
The sentence is in the past tense ('Gisteren'), and 'discussie' is singular.
De kosten zijn...
When costs 'fly out of the bend,' they have exceeded the budget significantly.
Kies de beste situatie:
The idiom is used for extreme behavior or losing control.
A: 'Ik ga mijn hele salaris uitgeven aan deze auto!' B: 'Ho stop, nu _______.'
The correct idiom is 'uit de bocht vliegen'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsNo, it's neutral. However, telling someone 'Je vliegt uit de bocht' can be a direct confrontation, so use it carefully with superiors.
Usually no. It almost always implies a loss of control that leads to a negative result.
The past tense is 'vloog uit de bocht' (singular) or 'vlogen uit de bocht' (plural).
Yes, it is common in Flanders as well, though they have their own local variations.
Literally yes (for a car), but figuratively we always use 'vliegen'.
Related Phrases
Uit de bocht schieten
synonymTo suddenly go too far.
Over de schreef gaan
similarTo cross the line/break a rule.
De plank misslaan
similarTo be completely wrong.
Buiten de lijntjes kleuren
contrastTo be creative/unconventional.
Te ver gaan
builds onTo go too far.
