Example: Soms val je tussen wal en schip bij het aanvragen van hulp.
Definition
"Tussen wal en schip vallen" is a Dutch expression meaning to fall through the cracks or to be overlooked in a process, especially when seeking assistance or support, resulting in not receiving the help or attention one needs.
Translations
to fall through the cracks
quedarse entre dos aguas
quedar entre dues aigües
passer entre les mailles du filet
durch das Raster fallen
cadere nel vuoto
ficar esquecido
Etymology
The phrase "tussen wal en schip vallen" literally translates to 'falling between quay and ship' in Dutch. It originates from maritime terminology, where something falling between the quay (wal) and the ship (schip) would end up lost or overlooked. The expression metaphorically captures situations where someone is neglected or missed in a system.
Learn to use this expression actively
"Tussen wal en schip vallen" appears in the Vocaplus list "Dutch - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C1) - set 1", containing 100 commonly used expressions.
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to fall through the cracks