achter slot en grendel
Meaning: imprisoned or confined.
Language: Dutch
Literally: behind lock and bolt
Category: Daily Life
Origin: The phrase describes the physical reality of locked confinement—secured with both lock and bolt.
More idioms — Daily Life
- in de clinch liggen — To be in conflict or at odds with someone.
- ge järnet — Exert maximum effort; give one's all.
- sätta till alla klutar — To make a maximum effort or remove all restraints in pursuit of something.
- falla till föga — To surrender one's position or resistance; to give in.
- kratta manegen — To prepare the ground or circumstances to make it easier for someone to accomplish a task.
- lämna någon åt sitt öde — To abandon someone, leaving them to deal with consequences on their own.
More Dutch idioms
- tussen de oren — in one's mind or thoughts.
- een uur in de wind stinken — To smell extremely bad.
- uit zijn plaat gaan — To lose control of oneself or go crazy.
- Helaas, pindakaas — Too bad, nothing can be done about it.
- Nu komt de aap uit de mouw — The truth is finally revealed.
- Met de deur in huis vallen — To get straight to the point without any preamble.
From our compliments & insults
- Pantoffelheld — A man who is only bold and brave at home — a henpecked pushover who bluster turns into a…
- Schlauberger — A know-it-all smartass who never misses a chance to show off their cleverness.
- Dickkopf — A pig-headed, unyielding person — their skull is so thick no new idea can penetrate it.