Example: Na het verlies besloot hij het roer om te gooien.
Definition
"Het roer omgooien" is a Dutch expression meaning to make a significant change in one's life or approach, especially after a setback or loss. It implies deciding to take a new direction or radically alter one's course of action.
Translations
to change course completely
cambiar radicalmente de rumbo
canviar completament de rumb
changer complètement de cap
das Ruder herumreißen
cambiare rotta
mudar de rumo
Etymology
The phrase "het roer omgooien" literally translates to 'to turn the rudder around.' It originates from nautical terminology, where turning the rudder changes the ship's direction. Figuratively, it came to mean making a decisive change in life or strategy. Did you know? This vivid metaphor highlights how a simple shift in steering can lead to an entirely new path.
Learn to use this expression actively
"Het roer omgooien" appears in the Vocaplus list "Dutch - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C1) - set 1", containing 100 commonly used expressions.
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to change course completely