Example: Je kunt niet zomaar een slag in de lucht slaan tijdens het spel.
Definition
"Een slag in de lucht slaan" means to make a random or uncalculated attempt or action, often without a clear plan or certainty of success. It is used to describe doing something impulsively or without proper consideration, like taking a wild guess or a shot in the dark.
Translations
to make a wild guess
dar un palo de ciego
fer una aproximació sense base
parler au hasard
ins Blaue hinein raten
prendere un colpo a vuoto
dar um golpe no ar
Etymology
The phrase "een slag in de lucht slaan" literally translates from Dutch as 'to strike a blow in the air.' It originates from the idea of making a swinging motion without hitting anything tangible, symbolizing an action done without effect or certainty. Did you know it vividly captures the sense of an empty attempt, much like swinging at a flying object but missing entirely?
Learn to use this expression actively
"Een slag in de lucht slaan" appears in the Vocaplus list "Dutch - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C2) - set 1", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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to make a wild guess