op eigen benen staan

Meaning: To be independent and self-sufficient; to support oneself without relying on others.

Language: Dutch

Literally: to stand on one’s own legs

Category: Body & Senses

Origin: The image is of standing upright on one’s own legs, without leaning on anyone else for support.

More idioms — Body & Senses

voet bij stuk houden — To stand firm and refuse to give in to pressure or threats.
uit de hand lopen — to become uncontrolled or chaotic.
tussen de oren — in one's mind or thoughts.
een uur in de wind stinken — To smell extremely bad.
under kniven — Undergoing surgery, or under intense pressure to perform.
fjällen falla från någons ögon — To suddenly understand something that was previously hidden or obscured.

een tandje bijsteken — To intensify one's effort or increase the pace of activity; to move up a gear.
van lotje getikt — To be crazy or eccentric; to be not quite sane.
buiten de boot vallen — To be left out or excluded from a group or activity.
ga toch fietsen — A rude dismissal telling someone to go away.
in de wind slaan — To deliberately ignore or disregard something.
niet veel soeps — Unimpressive or mediocre; not worth much.

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