IDIOMATIESE UITDRUKKINGS: Idiomatic Expressions In Afrikaans Language

COMMONLY USED IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS

THESE ARE SOME OF THE MORE COMMONLY USED IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS:

aanhouer wen – if you persist you will succeed

aardjie na sy vaartjie – he takes after his father

agteros kom ook in die kraal – even if you are slow, as long as you get there

alles vir soetkoek opeet – believes everything

alles was in rep en roer – everything was chaotic

as die skoen pas, trek dit aan – if the shoe (hat) fits, wear it

belofte maak skuld – you must keep your promises

bokant my vuurmaakplek – above my ability

boontjie kry sy loontjie – you get what you deserve (as you sow, so shall you reap)

daar is ‘n slang in die gras – something is wrong

die aap uit die mou laat – to give away a secret or
confidence

die appel val nie ver van die boom nie – takes after his father or mother

die koeel is deur die kerk – it’s too late, nothing can be done

die paal haal to succeed

die poppe dans – the trouble begins

die spyker op die kop slaan – to hit the nail on the head

eet met lang tande – don’t enjoy what you eat

gou op jou perdjie – quick tempered

honger is die beste sous – hunger is the best cook

hoog in die takke – drunk

hou jou hande tuis – don’t touch

hy het lang vingers – he steals

hy is nie onder ’n kalkoen uitgebroei nie – he is no fool

hy is nog nat agter die ore – young and inexperienced

hy skrik nie vir koue pampoen nie – he doesn’t scare easily

hy spring riem – he gets a hiding

hy vang kattekwaad aan – he is up to mischief

iemand in die pad steek – fire, discharge someone

iemand ‘n gat in die kop praat – convince somebody

iets uit jou duim suig – make something up

iets vir ‘n appel en ‘n ei koop of verkoop – buys or
sells something very cheaply