Example: Hij gooide een knuppel in het hoenderhok tijdens de vergadering.
Definition
"Een knuppel in het hoenderhok gooien" is a Dutch expression meaning to say or do something that causes commotion or controversy, often stirring up conflict or unrest in a group or situation. For example, it describes an action that disrupts harmony, as in 'Hij gooide een knuppel in het hoenderhok tijdens de vergadering.'
The phrase "een knuppel in het hoenderhok gooien" literally means 'to throw a club into the chicken coop.' It originates from the idea that throwing a stick into a chicken coop would cause chaos among the chickens. This vivid imagery has been used figuratively in Dutch to describe actions that provoke disturbance or turmoil.
Learn to use this expression actively
"Een knuppel in het hoenderhok gooien" appears in the Vocaplus list "Dutch - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C2) - set 1", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
Would you like to not only understand these expressions, but also remember them and use them actively? Create a free account and select Dutch as the language you want to learn.
to stir things up