Meaning
having enough wealth to be secure.
Cultural Background
The phrase reflects the Dutch history of water management. Being 'on the dry' is the ultimate goal in a country where half the land could flood. The idiom is equally common in Flanders, though Flemish speakers might sometimes use 'zijn schaapjes op het droge brengen' more frequently in a business context. The idiom aligns with Calvinist values of hard work and frugality leading to a 'safe' and 'blessed' state, rather than ostentatious wealth. In the modern Dutch tech scene, 'de schaapjes op het droge hebben' is the standard way to describe a successful 'exit'.
Use the Diminutive
Always use 'schaapjes', never 'schapen'. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
Don't be too nosy
Asking someone 'Heb je je schaapjes al op het droge?' can be seen as asking 'How much money do you have?', which is a bit rude in Dutch culture.
Meaning
having enough wealth to be secure.
Use the Diminutive
Always use 'schaapjes', never 'schapen'. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
Don't be too nosy
Asking someone 'Heb je je schaapjes al op het droge?' can be seen as asking 'How much money do you have?', which is a bit rude in Dutch culture.
The Polder Connection
Remember the water! The 'dry land' is the key to the metaphor's safety.
Test Yourself
Vul het juiste bezittelijk voornaamwoord in.
Ik heb hard gewerkt, dus nu heb ik ___ schaapjes op het droge.
The subject is 'Ik', so the possessive must be 'mijn'.
Wat betekent de uitdrukking?
Wat betekent het als iemand zijn schaapjes op het droge heeft?
The idiom refers to financial security, not literal sheep or farming.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: 'Gaat Mark nog steeds elke dag naar kantoor?' B: 'Nee, sinds de verkoop van zijn aandelen...'
This is the correct idiom to explain why someone no longer needs to work.
In welke situatie gebruik je deze uitdrukking?
Welke situatie past bij 'zijn schaapjes op het droge hebben'?
The idiom is for significant, long-term financial security.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIk heb hard gewerkt, dus nu heb ik ___ schaapjes op het droge.
The subject is 'Ik', so the possessive must be 'mijn'.
Wat betekent het als iemand zijn schaapjes op het droge heeft?
The idiom refers to financial security, not literal sheep or farming.
A: 'Gaat Mark nog steeds elke dag naar kantoor?' B: 'Nee, sinds de verkoop van zijn aandelen...'
This is the correct idiom to explain why someone no longer needs to work.
Welke situatie past bij 'zijn schaapjes op het droge hebben'?
The idiom is for significant, long-term financial security.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, if the win is big enough to secure your entire future.
It is neutral. You can use it with friends or in a business meeting.
No, you must change it to match the person: mijn, jouw, onze, etc.
Not really. You would just say 'Hij heeft zijn schaapjes nog NIET op het droge.'
No, it usually implies they worked hard to get to this safe state.
No, the idiom is fixed with sheep.
'To be sitting pretty' or 'to be set for life' are the closest matches.
Yes, it is very common in Flanders as well.
Yes, to mean the project is safely finished and the results are secured.
Dutch uses diminutives for things they care about or find 'cozy' (gezellig).
Related Phrases
er warmpjes bij zitten
similarTo be well-off/wealthy.
binnen zijn
synonymTo have made it financially.
het schaap met de vijf poten
similarA person who can do everything (a unicorn).
zijn schaapjes scheren
contrastTo make a profit (often greedily).
