The phrase “steen om mee te wassen” is a Dutch idiom that literally translates to “stone to wash with.” However, it is not meant to be taken literally. Instead, it is a metaphorical expression that refers to something that is useless or ineffective.
The idiom is often used to describe a person or thing that is of no value or practical use. It can also be used to describe a situation or plan that is doomed to fail.
Here are some examples of how the idiom “steen om mee te wassen” can be used in a sentence:
“Die oude auto is een steen om mee te wassen. Het kost meer geld om hem te repareren dan dat hij waard is.” (That old car is a waste of money. It costs more to fix it than it’s worth.)
“De nieuwe marketingcampagne was een steen om mee te wassen. Het heeft geen enkel resultaat opgeleverd.” (The new marketing campaign was a flop. It didn’t generate any results.)
“Hij is een steen om mee te wassen in het team. Hij draagt niets bij en maakt alleen maar ruzie.” (He’s dead weight on the team. He doesn’t contribute anything and just causes problems.)
The idiom “steen om mee te wassen” is a colorful and expressive way to say that something is useless or ineffective. It is a common phrase in Dutch and is well-understood by native speakers.