Example: Hij probeert een wit voetje te halen bij de leraar.
Definition
"Een wit voetje halen" is a Dutch expression meaning to try to gain favor or get on someone's good side, often through flattery or helpful behavior. For example, 'Hij probeert een wit voetje te halen bij de leraar' means he is trying to please the teacher.
Translations
to curry favor
ganarse el favor de alguien
guanyar-se el favor
se faire bien voir
sich einschmeicheln
fare buona impressione
puxar o saco
Etymology
The phrase "een wit voetje halen" literally translates to 'getting a white foot.' It likely originates from the idea that having a clean, white foot symbolizes innocence or being in good standing. Over time, it evolved into an idiom describing efforts to curry favor or gain advantage with someone.
Learn to use this expression actively
"Een wit voetje halen" appears in the Vocaplus list "Dutch - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C1) - set 1", containing 100 commonly used expressions.
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to curry favor