Significado
A situation is getting out of control.
Contexto cultural
The Dutch are known for being frugal. Using this phrase about money is very common and culturally accepted as a way to bond over shared annoyance at high prices. Many Dutch idioms come from the sea (e.g., 'alle zeilen bijzetten'). This reflects the country's history as a seafaring nation where the ship was the center of life. In Flanders, the phrase is used identically to the Netherlands, but it might sound slightly more 'standard language' (AN) compared to local dialects which might have their own versions. On Dutch social media (Twitter/X), this phrase is a favorite for 'klagen' (complaining) about public services like the NS (trains) or PostNL.
Use it for emphasis
If you just say 'het is te veel', people might not listen. If you say 'het loopt de spuigaten uit', you sound like a native who is seriously annoyed.
Negative only!
Remember, never use this for good things. It's like saying 'this is a disaster of excess'.
Significado
A situation is getting out of control.
Use it for emphasis
If you just say 'het is te veel', people might not listen. If you say 'het loopt de spuigaten uit', you sound like a native who is seriously annoyed.
Negative only!
Remember, never use this for good things. It's like saying 'this is a disaster of excess'.
The 'Klaag' Culture
Dutch people love to complain about the weather and prices. This is your 'golden ticket' phrase for those conversations.
Teste-se
Vul het juiste woord in.
De kosten voor het nieuwe project lopen de _______ uit.
Het woord is 'spuigaten', zonder 't'.
Welke zin is correct?
Hoe zeg je dat de herrie te veel is?
De vaste vorm is 'iets loopt de spuigaten uit'.
In welke situatie gebruik je dit idioom?
Je ziet dat de prijzen in de winkel elke week hoger worden.
Dit idioom gebruik je voor negatieve excessen zoals stijgende prijzen.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: Heb je gehoord dat de benzineprijs weer is gestegen? B: Ja, verschrikkelijk. Het ______.
De tegenwoordige tijd is hier het meest logisch.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosDe kosten voor het nieuwe project lopen de _______ uit.
Het woord is 'spuigaten', zonder 't'.
Hoe zeg je dat de herrie te veel is?
De vaste vorm is 'iets loopt de spuigaten uit'.
Je ziet dat de prijzen in de winkel elke week hoger worden.
Dit idioom gebruik je voor negatieve excessen zoals stijgende prijzen.
A: Heb je gehoord dat de benzineprijs weer is gestegen? B: Ja, verschrikkelijk. Het ______.
De tegenwoordige tijd is hier het meest logisch.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasThe phrase usually starts with 'het' as a dummy subject, or the specific thing (like 'de kosten') as the subject.
Yes, it is very common in professional settings to discuss budgets or workload.
It is a scupper—a hole in the side of a ship to drain water from the deck.
Not at all. It is used daily in newspapers and on television.
Yes, that is the infinitive form of the idiom.
Yes, Flemish speakers use it just as much as the Dutch.
Yes, to describe their behavior: 'Zijn gedrag loopt de spuigaten uit.'
No, it is a standard idiom, acceptable in almost all situations.
Because water 'loopt' (flows/runs), it doesn't 'gaat' (goes) in this context.
No, the phrase is fixed. You have to say the whole thing.
Frases relacionadas
De pan uit rijzen
similarTo rise out of the pan (usually prices)
Te ver gaan
synonymTo go too far
Buiten de oevers treden
similarTo overflow the banks (like a river)
De maat is vol
builds onThe measure is full / Enough is enough
