Example: Pas op, de beer is los in het bos vandaag.
Definition
"De beer is los" is a Dutch expression meaning that someone or something has become uncontrollable or wild, often used to warn that a situation or person is unpredictable or prone to sudden, intense behavior.
Translations
all hell breaks loose
se armó
s'ha embolicat
les choses dégénèrent
der Bär ist los
l'orso
o urso está solto
Etymology
The phrase "de beer is los" literally translates to "the bear is loose" in English. It likely originated from the image of a bear breaking free and causing chaos, symbolizing loss of control or unleashed power. Did you know? This vivid metaphor has been used in Dutch to describe situations where restraint is gone and excitement or danger may follow.
Learn to use this expression actively
"De beer is los" appears in the Vocaplus list "Dutch - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C2) - set 1", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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all hell breaks loose