Example: Ik houd altijd een slag om de arm bij nieuwe plannen.
Definition
"Een slag om de arm houden" is a Dutch expression meaning to remain cautious or reserved when making plans or decisions, allowing room for flexibility or change. For example, saying 'Ik houd altijd een slag om de arm bij nieuwe plannen' means always keeping an option open in new plans.
Translations
to keep a reservation
dejar margen
deixar marge
garder une réserve
sich ein Hintertürchen offenhalten
tenere una riserva
manter uma reserva
Etymology
The phrase "een slag om de arm houden" literally translates to 'to keep a strike around the arm.' It originates from a metaphorical idea of holding back or keeping a defensive guard. The exact origin is uncertain, but it conveys the notion of maintaining caution or a margin of safety in uncertain situations.
Learn to use this expression actively
"Een slag om de arm houden" appears in the Vocaplus list "Dutch - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C2) - set 1", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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to keep a reservation