IdiomFood & Drink
Dutch
Dutchalleen de rozijnen uitpikken
Meaning: to select only the best or most desirable items while ignoring the rest.
Literally: To pick only the raisins
Example: “Hij pikt alleen de rozijnen uit de klussen en laat de rest liggen.” — He cherry-picks the easy jobs and leaves the rest.
English equivalent: To cherry-pick
Equivalents in other languages
English: cherry-pick
Origin: Picking only the raisins out of a cake or porridge, and leaving the rest, is taking the best bits for oneself. Dutch also says de krenten uit de pap vissen (to fish the currants out of the porridge), and English "cherry-pick" has the same sense. No particular story lies behind it.
More Dutch idioms
- een loopje nemen to deceive or trick someone.
- bij de les blijven to remain focused and attentive; to keep one's composure.
- voor dovemansoren Said or done in vain; unheeded by those it is meant for.
- in de wieg gelegd zijn To have a natural talent or aptitude for something from birth.
- iets in je oren knopen To make someone pay close attention to what you are saying, implying they should remember…
- een lans breken To take up someone's cause or defend a position publicly.
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