het hek is van de dam
Dutch
[edit]Etymology
[edit](This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)
Phrase
[edit]- (idiomatic) Said to indicate that the floodgates have been opened; that matters have been irrevocably set in motion or that a point of no return has been passed.
- Als politieke tegenstanders met schijnprocessen kaltgestellt kunnen worden is het hek pas echt van de dam. ― If political opponents can be eliminated through show trials we have truly passed the point of no return.