The phrase “Past na hamer of vers” is a Dutch idiom that means “to be stuck in a rut.” It is often used to describe someone who is in a difficult situation and is unable to find a way out. The literal translation of the phrase is “past after hammer or verse,” which does not make much sense in English. However, the idiom is thought to have originated from the Dutch phrase “vast na hamer of verslagen,” which means “to be stuck after hammering or beating.” This phrase is more literal, and it suggests that the person is stuck in a rut because they have been beaten down by life.
The idiom “Past na hamer of vers” is often used in a negative way to describe someone who is not making any progress in their life. However, it can also be used in a more positive way to describe someone who is persevering through difficult times. For example, you might say that someone is “past na hamer of vers” if they are struggling to learn a new language but are not giving up.
Here are some synonyms for the idiom “Past na hamer of vers”:
- Stuck in a rut
- In a dead end
- At a standstill
- Up a creek without a paddle
- Between a rock and a hard place
Here are some examples of how the idiom “Past na hamer of vers” can be used in a sentence:
- “Ik zit vast na hamer of vers in mijn baan. Ik haat mijn werk, maar ik kan geen andere baan vinden.” (I’m stuck in a rut in my job. I hate my job, but I can’t find another one.)
- “Mijn vriendin is vast na hamer of vers in haar relatie. Ze is niet gelukkig met haar vriend, maar ze wil hem niet verlaten.” (My friend is stuck in a rut in her relationship. She’s not happy with her boyfriend, but she doesn’t want to leave him.)
- “Het bedrijf is vast na hamer of vers. Ze zijn al jarenlang dezelfde producten aan het maken en ze verliezen klanten.” (The company is stuck in a rut. They’ve been making the same products for years and they’re losing customers.)