onder de pannen

Dutch

Etymology

Referring to the (dak)pannen (“roof tiles”) which are laid during the last stage of building a house: if one is beneath the roof tiles, the house is complete and the inhabitants are securely lodged.

Adjective

onder de pannen (used only predicatively, not comparable)

1. (idiomatic) having a roof above one's head, living somewhere

   Toen ik even geen kamer meer had kon ik een paar maanden bij mijn vriendin onder de pannen.

   When I found myself without a room, I was lodged with my girlfriend for a few months.

2. (idiomatic) secure and comfortable, especially in terms of lodgings and livelihood

   Sinds ik die baan heb gekregen zit ik weer goed onder de pannen.

   Since I got that job I've been in a good place [in life] again.

3. (idiomatic) occupied, busy, not bored

   Ze is net begonnen met het herkijken van de filmtrilogie, dus ze is nog wel even onder de pannen.

   She just started rewatching the movie trilogy, so she'll be occupied for the time being.