zijn mannetje staan

Dutch

Etymology

Literally, “to stand his man”, a reference to the steadfastness (and manliness) of the person being referred to.

Verb

zijn mannetje staan

  1. (idiomatic, intransitive) to be assertive, hold one's own
    Synonyms: de kaas niet van het brood laten eten, haar op zijn tanden hebben

Usage notes
  • Mostly used of men, mannetje being the diminutive of man. The feminine counterpart haar vrouwtje staan is vanishingly rare.

Inflection
Conjugation of zijn mannetje staan: see hebben.
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