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in de wind slaan

Meaning: To deliberately ignore or disregard something.

Language: Dutch

Literally: to strike in the wind

Category: The Absurd

Origin: The phrase pictures a blow delivered uselessly into empty air, having no effect or purchase.

More idioms — The Absurd

  • uit zijn plaat gaan — To lose control of oneself or go crazy.
  • sitta med skägget i brevlådan — Be in a pickle or difficult predicament.
  • en koloss på lerfötter — Something that appears powerful and impressive but rests on a fundamentally weak foundati…
  • så till den milda grad — To such an extent; to a remarkable or extreme degree, often used ironically.
  • lägga sig i — To insert oneself into a situation uninvited; to meddle or interfere.
  • slåss mot väderkvarnar — To engage in a futile struggle against imaginary or trivial enemies.

More Dutch idioms

  • niet veel soeps — Unimpressive or mediocre; not worth much.
  • niet veel zaaks — Unimpressive or mediocre; not worth much.
  • in de kiem smoren — To nip something in the bud; to stop a problem before it grows.
  • veel noten op zijn zang hebben — To be demanding or to offer many critical comments.
  • voet bij stuk houden — To stand firm and refuse to give in to pressure or threats.
  • stoom afblazen — (Already vivid in English).

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