van slechten huize

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Dutch[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Literally "from [a] bad house" using now-obsolete dative nominal forms, where "house" is used metonymically to refer to one's family and upbringing.

Prepositional phrase[edit]

van slechten huize

  1. (idiomatic) of lowly or ignoble stock
    Antonym: van goeden huize

Usage notes[edit]

  • Less common than van goeden huize.