opkrabbelen

Opkrabbelen is a Dutch verb meaning to recover or to pull oneself up after a setback. It is used for physical recovery from illness or injury, as well as for regaining energy, motivation, or morale after difficult experiences. A secondary, figurative meaning is to scrape together money or resources, for example after a financial setback.

Etymology and sense: The word combines the prefix op- with krabbelen, related to krabben (to scratch). The metaphor suggests lifting oneself up by scraping, gathering strength, or assembling what is needed to move forward. The phrase is common in ordinary speech and written Dutch alike.

Usage: Opkrabbelen is versatile and can refer to personal health, emotional resilience, or financial recovery. Examples include: “Na de operatie krabbelde hij langzaam op,” and “Het bedrijf krabbelde op na de recessie.” In a financial sense: “Het team moest geld opkrabbelen om het project te redden.” The expression conveys effort and gradual improvement rather than a sudden change, and it is typically used in semi-formal to informal contexts.

See also: herstel, veerkracht, weer op de been komen, bij elkaar krabben.

Notes: As a separable verb, opkrabbelen follows the typical pattern of Dutch prefix verbs in occasional tense placement, with the prefix appearing after the conjugated verb in present tense phrases (hij krabbelt op) and in other common constructions.