Significado
To commit an indiscretion or cheat.
Contexto cultural
Ice skating is the unofficial national sport. When the natural ice is thick enough, the whole country goes 'schaatskoorts' (skating fever). This explains why so many idioms are ice-related. The historical influence of Calvinism in the Netherlands emphasized 'het rechte pad' (the straight path). Deviating from this path, even metaphorically on skates, was a sign of poor character. Dutch gossip magazines (like 'Privé' or 'Story') use this idiom constantly. It is considered 'safe' for headlines because it's descriptive without being crude. In modern Dutch culture, being 'eerlijk' (honest) is often valued above all else. 'Een scheve schaats rijden' is seen as a betrayal of that honesty.
Use it for Gossip
It's the perfect phrase for talking about celebrity scandals or soap opera plots.
Not for literal falls
If you fall on the ice, don't use this phrase unless you want people to think you're having an affair!
Significado
To commit an indiscretion or cheat.
Use it for Gossip
It's the perfect phrase for talking about celebrity scandals or soap opera plots.
Not for literal falls
If you fall on the ice, don't use this phrase unless you want people to think you're having an affair!
Conjugate 'rijden' correctly
Always remember it's 'reed' in the past and 'gereden' in the perfect tense.
The 'Straight Path'
The opposite is 'op het rechte pad blijven'. Using both shows great vocabulary range.
Teste-se
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'rijden'.
Vorig jaar _______ hij een scheve schaats met zijn buurvrouw.
The sentence refers to 'vorig jaar' (last year), so we need the past tense (imperfectum) of 'rijden', which is 'reed'.
What is the most likely meaning of this sentence?
De kranten schrijven dat de acteur een scheve schaats heeft gereden.
In a newspaper context, this idiom almost always refers to a scandal or infidelity.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: Waarom zijn ze uit elkaar? B: Omdat hij ____________________.
The question asks why they broke up. 'Een scheve schaats rijden' (cheating) is a logical reason for a breakup.
Match the situation to the idiom.
Situation: A politician is caught taking bribes and lying about it.
While primarily romantic, the idiom can also apply to moral or professional indiscretions.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Idiom vs. Literal
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosVorig jaar _______ hij een scheve schaats met zijn buurvrouw.
The sentence refers to 'vorig jaar' (last year), so we need the past tense (imperfectum) of 'rijden', which is 'reed'.
De kranten schrijven dat de acteur een scheve schaats heeft gereden.
In a newspaper context, this idiom almost always refers to a scandal or infidelity.
A: Waarom zijn ze uit elkaar? B: Omdat hij ____________________.
The question asks why they broke up. 'Een scheve schaats rijden' (cheating) is a logical reason for a breakup.
Situation: A politician is caught taking bribes and lying about it.
While primarily romantic, the idiom can also apply to moral or professional indiscretions.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
12 perguntasNo, it's a standard idiom. However, the topic of cheating is sensitive, so use it with care.
Yes, it is gender-neutral. 'Zij reed een scheve schaats.'
No, it can be used for any committed romantic relationship.
No, the idiom is always singular: 'een scheve schaats'.
'Vreemdgaan' is the most common and direct synonym.
Usually, yes, but it can also mean a general moral or professional betrayal.
Not at all. It is still used daily in Dutch media and conversation.
Yes, to describe someone breaking ethical rules, but be careful as it's quite strong.
It's a 's' sound followed by a 'g' sound (like in 'Loch Ness').
Yes, 'met open kaart spelen' (playing with an open hand/cards).
No, it usually implies a significant betrayal or indiscretion.
Yes, it is understood and used in Flanders as well.
Frases relacionadas
vreemdgaan
synonymTo go strange (to cheat)
een slippertje maken
similarTo make a little slip
buiten de pot piesen
similarTo pee outside the pot
overspel plegen
formalTo commit adultery
op het rechte pad blijven
contrastTo stay on the straight path
iemand bedriegen
builds onTo deceive someone
