Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Dutch term or phrase:
geen vrijblijvend pretreisje
English translation:
it was no stroll in the park
Added to glossary by
Christopher Smith (X)
Sep 13, 2006 14:14
17 yrs ago
1 viewer *
Dutch term
geen vrijblijvend pretreisje
Dutch to English
Other
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
I'm thinking of 'Definitely not a fun ride with no strings attached' but would welcome more elegant suggestions! Flanders DC = Flanders District of Creativity.
Samen met [business school] lanceerde Flanders DC de Winter Academy, een vierdaags evenement waarvoor laatstejaarsstudenten en pasafgestudeerden zich kandidaat konden stellen. Uit de meer dan 800 kandidaten werden 25 high potentials met verschillende achtergrond geselecteerd voor een intensief bad van creativiteit en innovatie. **Geen vrijblijvend pretreisje** want aan het einde van het vierdaagse seminarie moesten de studenten een stevig businessplan voorleggen dat niet alleen creatief en innovatief moest zijn maar ook implementeerbaar.
Samen met [business school] lanceerde Flanders DC de Winter Academy, een vierdaags evenement waarvoor laatstejaarsstudenten en pasafgestudeerden zich kandidaat konden stellen. Uit de meer dan 800 kandidaten werden 25 high potentials met verschillende achtergrond geselecteerd voor een intensief bad van creativiteit en innovatie. **Geen vrijblijvend pretreisje** want aan het einde van het vierdaagse seminarie moesten de studenten een stevig businessplan voorleggen dat niet alleen creatief en innovatief moest zijn maar ook implementeerbaar.
Proposed translations
(English)
| 4 +2 | it was no stroll in the park |
Christopher Smith (X)
|
| 3 +3 | not an all play and no work |
Francina
|
| 3 +2 | not mere fun and games |
Harry Borsje
|
| 4 | informal fun trip |
joeky janusch
|
| 5 -1 | no free ride! |
Marieke
|
| 4 | no fun-only trip without obligations |
Dennis Seine
|
| 3 +1 | free lunch (with) no strings attached ... |
Adam Smith
|
| 3 +1 | It wasn't what you'd call a picnic |
Kate Hudson (X)
|
| 3 | not just a fun trip |
Katrien De Clercq
|
Proposed translations
+2
2 hrs
Selected
it was no stroll in the park
A fairly old-fashioned expression i.m.o., but it gives you another option.
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Torn between this and the 'no such thing as a free lunch' idea, but this one wins by a nose. Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions."
4 mins
joeky janusch
Israel
Israel
Native in Dutch
Israel
quality and cast-iron nerves
Native in: Dutch 
Works in: English to Dutch, Dutch, Dutch to English, and 2 more.
informal fun trip
Maybe another option??
-1
7 mins
no free ride!
I am quite sure of this
Peer comment(s):
| disagree |
Tina Vonhof (X)
: Not so sure - a free ride means that it doesn't cost anything.
1 hr
|
19 mins
no fun-only trip without obligations
Perhaps a nice way of juxtaposing fun and obligations.
23 mins
Katrien De Clercq
Native in Dutch
Passion for professionalism!
Native in: Dutch , Flemish
Works in: French to Dutch, English to Dutch, French to Flemish, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
4
not just a fun trip
*
+1
33 mins
Adam Smith
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
United Kingdom
Medical & legal expertise
Native in: English 
Works in: Dutch to English, Flemish to English, Afrikaans to English, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
8
free lunch (with) no strings attached ...
... it wasn't (just) a free lunch with no strings attached!
Or conversely, you could say "it was no free lunch - there were strings attached:..."
Or conversely, you could say "it was no free lunch - there were strings attached:..."
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Francina
19 mins
|
|
Thank you!
|
|
| disagree |
Tina Vonhof (X)
: Free lunch means just that - you don't have to pay.
1 hr
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Literally speaking - yes, but metaphorically, and much, much more commonly used in Anglo world that you don't get something for nothing - i.e. something's expected in return!
|
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| agree |
Terence Lewis
: "it was definitely no free lunch" - almost a cliche now in the UK!
21 hrs
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Absolutely - thank you
|
+1
41 mins
It wasn't what you'd call a picnic
That's what sprang to mind
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Tina Vonhof (X)
: Good one.
1 hr
|
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Thanks
|
+3
51 mins
not an all play and no work
It was not an all play and no work seminar/field trip/jaunt
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Tina Vonhof (X)
: I like this one too.
58 mins
|
| agree |
Ann Bishop (X)
2 hrs
|
| agree |
Saskia Steur (X)
22 hrs
|
+2
1 hr
Harry Borsje
Netherlands
Netherlands
Native in Dutch
Netherlands
Communicate technology with passion
Native in: Dutch
Works in: German to Dutch, English to Dutch
Related KudoZ points
:
13
not mere fun and games
as at the end...
my 2 cents
my 2 cents
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Tina Vonhof (X)
: good option.
41 mins
|
| agree |
Saskia Steur (X)
22 hrs
|
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