Significado
To observe something with distrust.
Contexto cultural
The Dutch 'Toeslagenaffaire' (childcare benefit scandal) led to a period where the public and media viewed every government announcement with 'argusogen'. It became a defining term for the breakdown of trust in authorities. In Flanders, the idiom is equally common and used in the same formal/journalistic contexts, often regarding the complex linguistic and political relations between the regions. The fact that a Greek myth is so embedded in Dutch shows the influence of classical education in the Netherlands during the 19th and 20th centuries. In Dutch 'polder' meetings, being 'watched with argus eyes' is a sign that you need to be 100% transparent. If you are not, you will lose your seat at the table.
Use it in writing
This idiom is a 'cheat code' for sounding advanced in Dutch writing exams (like the Staatsexamen NT2 II). It shows you know mythology and formal register.
Don't overdo the suspicion
If you use this for everything, you will sound like a very paranoid person. Save it for things that actually warrant distrust.
Significado
To observe something with distrust.
Use it in writing
This idiom is a 'cheat code' for sounding advanced in Dutch writing exams (like the Staatsexamen NT2 II). It shows you know mythology and formal register.
Don't overdo the suspicion
If you use this for everything, you will sound like a very paranoid person. Save it for things that actually warrant distrust.
The 'Peacock' connection
If you ever see a peacock in Dutch art, remember Argus! It might help you remember the 'eyes' part of the idiom.
Teste-se
Vul het juiste voorzetsel en woord in.
De oppositie volgt de plannen van de minister ___ __________.
Het idioom is 'met argusogen'. 'Arendsogen' (eagle eyes) bestaat ook, maar dat betekent alleen dat je heel goed kunt zien, niet dat je wantrouwig bent.
In welke situatie is 'met argusogen bekijken' correct gebruikt?
Kies de juiste context:
De douanier is wantrouwig en zoekt naar iets wat niet klopt. Dit is de perfecte context voor 'argusogen'.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: 'Heb je gehoord dat de bank al onze gegevens gaat verkopen?' B: 'Wat?! Dat ga ik ...'
Zowel 'bekijken' als 'volgen' zijn zeer gebruikelijk in combinatie met argusogen.
Combineer de woorden tot de juiste uitdrukking.
Match de delen:
De woorden vormen samen de volledige uitdrukking.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosDe oppositie volgt de plannen van de minister ___ __________.
Het idioom is 'met argusogen'. 'Arendsogen' (eagle eyes) bestaat ook, maar dat betekent alleen dat je heel goed kunt zien, niet dat je wantrouwig bent.
Kies de juiste context:
De douanier is wantrouwig en zoekt naar iets wat niet klopt. Dit is de perfecte context voor 'argusogen'.
A: 'Heb je gehoord dat de bank al onze gegevens gaat verkopen?' B: 'Wat?! Dat ga ik ...'
Zowel 'bekijken' als 'volgen' zijn zeer gebruikelijk in combinatie met argusogen.
Combine cada item a esquerda com seu par a direita:
De woorden vormen samen de volledige uitdrukking.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNot at all. It is used daily in Dutch newspapers and news broadcasts. It is a 'living' idiom.
Yes, but 'bekijken' or 'volgen' is much more common and sounds more natural.
Yes, it always implies a lack of trust or a fear that something is wrong.
Yes, 'Ik bekijk hem met argusogen' is very common if you don't trust that person.
The closest is 'to watch like a hawk,' but remember that the Dutch version is more suspicious.
In Dutch, both are used, but 'argusogen' is the fixed spelling for the idiom.
You can use it to describe how you would monitor a project, but don't say you are watching the interviewer with argus eyes!
No, you need the full 'met argusogen [verb]' to make sense.
Not necessarily. It can be very open, like a journalist openly scrutinizing a politician.
Yes, it is very common in both the Netherlands and Flanders.
Frases relacionadas
Iets nauwlettend in de gaten houden
similarTo keep a close eye on something.
Iemand wantrouwen
synonymTo distrust someone.
Op je hoede zijn
builds onTo be on your guard.
Met een schuin oog kijken naar
similarTo look at something from the corner of your eye / with a side-eye.
