Als het kalf verdronken is, dempt men de put.

“When the calf has drowned, one fills in the well.”

Taking precautions only after the damage is already done — closing the barn door after the horse has bolted.

Beter een vogel in de hand dan tien in de lucht.

“Better one bird in the hand than ten in the air.”

A modest certain gain is worth more than a large uncertain one.

De appel valt niet ver van de boom.

“The apple does not fall far from the tree.”

Children tend to resemble their parents in character and behavior.

Twee honden aan één been komen zelden overeen.

“Two dogs on one bone seldom agree.”

People rarely share peacefully when competing for the same limited resource.

Met het hoofd tegen de muur lopen.

“To run one's head against the wall.”

To stubbornly attempt something impossible or hopeless.

De kat de bel aanbinden.

“To tie the bell to the cat.”

To be the one who takes on a risky or thankless task on behalf of a group.