de sjaak
Dutch
Etymology
Probably from the given name Sjaak, but the development is unclear.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /də ˈʃaːk/
- Rhymes: -aːk
Noun
de sjaak ? (uncountable)
- (colloquial) the victim(s) (of a policy or decision)
- De werknemers mogen niet de sjaak worden van de fusie.
- The employees must not become the victims of the merger.
Usage notes
The term is only used as a predicative nominal; the definite article de is obligatory, but may be separated from the noun proper by an adjective (as in de grootste sjaak).
Synonyms
- de dupe
- de pineut (colloquial)
- de sigaar (colloquial)