Meaning
To go from one bad situation to a worse one.
Cultural Background
The Dutch are known for their directness and pragmatism. This idiom is often used with a touch of self-deprecating humor when a 'handy' Dutch person fails at a DIY task. In Flanders, the idiom is equally common, though they might also use 'Van de wal in de gracht' (into the moat) more frequently than in the Northern Netherlands. Before the 19th century, many Dutch houses had 'overstekende daken' (overhanging roofs) without gutters. This architectural feature is the direct source of the idiom. In Dutch meetings, using this idiom is a common way to criticize a proposal that seems like a 'quick fix' without considering long-term consequences.
Use with 'zijn'
Always remember that 'komen' uses 'zijn' in the perfect tense. Saying 'Ik heb gekomen' is a very common learner mistake.
Don't reverse it
Never say 'van de drup in de regen.' It makes no sense to the Dutch ear because the drip is the intensification of the rain.
Meaning
To go from one bad situation to a worse one.
Use with 'zijn'
Always remember that 'komen' uses 'zijn' in the perfect tense. Saying 'Ik heb gekomen' is a very common learner mistake.
Don't reverse it
Never say 'van de drup in de regen.' It makes no sense to the Dutch ear because the drip is the intensification of the rain.
Irony is key
This phrase is often used with a sigh or a roll of the eyes. It's a great way to show you understand Dutch 'nuchterheid' (pragmatism).
Test Yourself
Vul de juiste voorzetsels en het werkwoord in (voltooide tijd).
Door die nieuwe wet zijn we van de regen ___ de drup ___.
The idiom is 'van de regen IN de drup KOMEN'. In the perfect tense, it becomes 'zijn... gekomen'.
Wat is de beste betekenis van 'van de regen in de drup komen'?
Wanneer gebruik je deze uitdrukking?
The idiom specifically refers to a worsening situation following an attempt to fix or escape something.
Welke situatie past bij het idioom?
Kies de situatie die 'van de regen in de drup' het best illustreert.
This shows an attempt to improve a situation (noise) that resulted in a worse outcome (more noise).
Maak de dialoog af met de juiste vorm van het idioom.
A: 'Hoe gaat het met je kapotte laptop?' B: 'Niet goed. Ik probeerde hem zelf te maken, maar nu gaat hij helemaal niet meer aan. Ik ben echt...'
This is the standard form of the idiom in the perfect tense.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDoor die nieuwe wet zijn we van de regen ___ de drup ___.
The idiom is 'van de regen IN de drup KOMEN'. In the perfect tense, it becomes 'zijn... gekomen'.
Wanneer gebruik je deze uitdrukking?
The idiom specifically refers to a worsening situation following an attempt to fix or escape something.
Kies de situatie die 'van de regen in de drup' het best illustreert.
This shows an attempt to improve a situation (noise) that resulted in a worse outcome (more noise).
A: 'Hoe gaat het met je kapotte laptop?' B: 'Niet goed. Ik probeerde hem zelf te maken, maar nu gaat hij helemaal niet meer aan. Ik ben echt...'
This is the standard form of the idiom in the perfect tense.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with friends, but also in a business meeting to describe a project's failure.
Yes, 'van de regen in de drup raken' is also correct and common.
They are almost identical, but 'wal in de sloot' feels a bit more physical or clumsy.
Yes, it always describes a situation getting worse.
Usually, it describes a situation or a person's state, not the person themselves (e.g., 'Hij is een drup' is not a thing).
Use 'kwam' or 'kwamen': 'Wij kwamen van de regen in de drup.'
Yes, it is widely used in Flanders.
It's better to use 'in'. 'Naar' sounds a bit less natural in this fixed idiom.
No, it is almost always used figuratively for any bad situation.
Not a specific one, but you can add intensifiers like 'echt' or 'totaal'.
Related Phrases
Van de wal in de sloot belanden
synonymTo go from the quay into the ditch.
Het middel is erger dan de kwaal
similarThe cure is worse than the disease.
Van kwaad tot erger
similarFrom bad to worse.
Dweilen met de kraan open
builds onMopping while the tap is open.
Een pyrrusoverwinning
specialized formA Pyrrhic victory.
