Afrikaans Idioms & Their Meanings
Afrikaans
Idiomatic expressions in Afrikaans (Afrikaans) — each with its literal words and the real meaning behind them.
See also: Afrikaans proverbs →
Die aap uit die mou laat.
Literally: “To let the monkey out of the sleeve.”
Meaning: To reveal a secret or one's true intentions; to let the cat out of the bag.
Iemand 'n rat voor die oë draai.
Literally: “To turn a wheel in front of someone's eyes.”
Meaning: To deceive or mislead someone; to pull the wool over someone's eyes.
Die gort is gaar.
Literally: “The porridge is cooked.”
Meaning: Now there is trouble; the situation has come to a head / the fat is in the fire.
Van 'n muggie 'n olifant maak.
Literally: “To make an elephant out of a gnat.”
Meaning: To greatly exaggerate something; to make a mountain out of a molehill.
Die kat uit die boom kyk.
Literally: “To watch the cat out of the tree.”
Meaning: To wait and see how things develop before acting; to bide one's time cautiously.
Die hoof in die nek gooi.
Literally: “To throw the head into the neck.”
Meaning: To toss one's head back defiantly or stubbornly; to react with proud obstinacy or refusal (standard form: 'die kop in die nek gooi').
Hy het 'n appeltjie met iemand te skil.
Literally: “He has a little apple to peel with someone.”
Meaning: To have a bone to pick with someone; an issue to settle.
Op hete kole sit.
Literally: “To sit on hot coals.”
Meaning: To be very anxious or impatient; to be on tenterhooks.
Iemand se kop gek maak.
Literally: “To make someone's head crazy.”
Meaning: To pester or confuse someone; to drive someone to distraction.
'n Doring in die vlees wees.
Literally: “To be a thorn in the flesh.”
Meaning: To be a persistent source of irritation or annoyance.
Bobbejaan agter die bult.
Literally: “Baboon behind the hill.”
Meaning: To worry needlessly about troubles that may never come; to anticipate problems prematurely.
Iemand op heter daad betrap.
Literally: “To catch someone in the hot deed.”
Meaning: To catch someone red-handed in the act.
Voet in die wind slaan.
Literally: “To strike foot in the wind.”
Meaning: To flee or run away hastily; to take to one's heels.
Met die deur in die huis val.
Literally: “To fall into the house with the door.”
Meaning: To come straight to the point without preamble; to blurt something out abruptly.
Iemand om die bos lei.
Literally: “To lead someone around the bush.”
Meaning: To deceive or trick someone.
Die laken na jou kant toe trek.
Literally: “To pull the sheet to your side.”
Meaning: To take more than your fair share; to look after your own interests selfishly.
Onder die duim hou.
Literally: “To keep under the thumb.”
Meaning: To keep someone strictly under control or domination.
Sy hande in onskuld was.
Literally: “To wash one's hands in innocence.”
Meaning: To deny responsibility for something; to wash one's hands of a matter.
Die bul by die horings pak.
Literally: “To grab the bull by the horns.”
Meaning: To tackle a difficult problem directly and decisively.
Iemand 'n oor aannaai.
Literally: “To sew an ear onto someone.”
Meaning: To fool or deceive someone; to dupe or fob someone off with a falsehood.
Jou hart op jou mou dra.
Literally: “To carry your heart on your sleeve.”
Meaning: To show your feelings openly.
In sak en as sit.
Literally: “To sit in sackcloth and ashes.”
Meaning: To be in deep mourning, despair, or remorse.
Die kool is die sous nie werd nie.
Literally: “The cabbage is not worth the sauce.”
Meaning: The thing is not worth the effort or trouble; the game is not worth the candle.
Spykers met koppe slaan.
Literally: “To hit nails with heads.”
Meaning: To speak or act decisively and to the point; to make telling, effective remarks.
Met 'n kluitjie in die riet stuur.
Literally: “To send off with a little clod into the reeds.”
Meaning: To fob someone off with a flimsy excuse or evasive answer.
Die wind van voor kry.
Literally: “To get the wind from the front.”
Meaning: To be scolded or to encounter strong opposition; to catch flak.
Pap nat wees.
Literally: “To be porridge-wet.”
Meaning: To be soaking wet, drenched through.
Die tande op mekaar byt.
Literally: “To bite the teeth together.”
Meaning: To grit one's teeth and endure; to persevere through hardship.
Olie op die vuur gooi.
Literally: “To throw oil on the fire.”
Meaning: To make a heated situation worse; to add fuel to the fire.
'n Stok in die wiel steek.
Literally: “To stick a stick in the wheel.”
Meaning: To obstruct or sabotage something; to throw a spanner in the works.
Iemand in die rug steek.
Literally: “To stab someone in the back.”
Meaning: To betray someone treacherously.