Meaning
To leave quickly or escape a situation.
Cultural Background
The Dutch value their time and 'gezelligheid'. If a situation is no longer 'gezellig', it is socially acceptable to leave, though 'zich uit de voeten maken' implies you might be doing it a bit abruptly. In Flanders, the idiom is just as common as in the Netherlands. However, Flemish speakers might also use 'het afbollen' as a more informal alternative. In a Dutch corporate environment, if a project is failing, you might hear that partners are 'zich uit de voeten aan het maken'. It’s a sign of lack of commitment. Younger generations might prefer 'm 'm smeren' or simply 'ik ben weg', but they will perfectly understand 'zich uit de voeten maken' from books or news.
Master the Reflexive
Practice the phrase with all pronouns (me, je, zich, ons) to make it second nature.
Don't use for goodbyes
Never use this when leaving a friend's house politely; it sounds like you were uncomfortable.
Meaning
To leave quickly or escape a situation.
Master the Reflexive
Practice the phrase with all pronouns (me, je, zich, ons) to make it second nature.
Don't use for goodbyes
Never use this when leaving a friend's house politely; it sounds like you were uncomfortable.
News Context
Look for this phrase in Dutch news (NOS.nl) to see it used in crime reports.
Word Order
Remember that in a 'dat' or 'omdat' sentence, 'maken' goes to the very end.
Test Yourself
Vul het juiste wederkerend voornaamwoord (me, je, zich, ons) in.
Wij maken ___ uit de voeten.
The subject is 'Wij', so the reflexive pronoun must be 'ons'.
Wat is de beste betekenis van 'zich uit de voeten maken'?
Toen de politie kwam, maakte de dief zich uit de voeten.
The idiom means to leave quickly, especially to avoid trouble.
Maak de zin af.
Sander: 'Komt je ex daar aan?' Linda: 'O jee, ik ...'
The correct form is 'zich uit de voeten maken'.
In welke situatie gebruik je dit idiom?
Je bent op een saai feestje en je wilt onopgemerkt weg.
This is a perfect context for 'zich uit de voeten maken'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesWij maken ___ uit de voeten.
The subject is 'Wij', so the reflexive pronoun must be 'ons'.
Toen de politie kwam, maakte de dief zich uit de voeten.
The idiom means to leave quickly, especially to avoid trouble.
Sander: 'Komt je ex daar aan?' Linda: 'O jee, ik ...'
The correct form is 'zich uit de voeten maken'.
Je bent op een saai feestje en je wilt onopgemerkt weg.
This is a perfect context for 'zich uit de voeten maken'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIt's not inherently rude, but it implies you are leaving for a reason (avoidance). Using it about yourself is fine; using it about someone else might sound slightly critical.
Yes: 'Ik maakte me uit de voeten.' It is very common in storytelling.
'Vluchten' is more serious (fleeing for your life). 'Zich uit de voeten maken' can be for something as small as a boring talk.
Yes, it is a reflexive idiom. Without the reflexive pronoun, the sentence is broken.
Yes, it is standard Dutch and used in both the Netherlands and Belgium.
No, that's a mix-up. It's either 'zich uit de voeten maken' or 'de benen nemen'.
It's a bit informal for a very formal email, but fine for a colleague you know well.
You can say: 'Ik moest me uit de voeten maken.'
Literally yes, but idiomatically it refers to the ground you stand on.
Yes, 'hem 'm smeren' is a very common slang equivalent.
Yes, 'De kat maakte zich uit de voeten toen de hond blafte.'
It is considered B1 (Intermediate).
Related Phrases
de benen nemen
synonymTo run away.
ervandoor gaan
similarTo leave suddenly.
maken dat je wegkomt
builds onTo ensure one's escape.
de plaat poetsen
synonymTo beat it.
vluchten
specialized formTo flee.
