uiteenlopen

Uiteenlopen is a Dutch verb meaning to diverge or to run apart. It is used to describe situations in which elements that were expected to be aligned develop differences or take different directions. The expression is common in formal and journalistic language, as well as in everyday speech when pointing out disagreement or variation between items, groups, or ideas.

Usage and forms

Uiteenlopen is typically used as a separable verb in the phrase lopen uiteen. In present tense: De plannen lopen uiteen. In past tense: De plannen liepen uiteen. It is common to talk about opinions, plans, or results that do not coincide. The related adjective vormen such as uiteenlopend or uiteenlopende describe things that are divergent or varying, for example uiteenlopende meningen (divergent opinions) or uiteenlopende voorstellen (varying proposals).

Contexts

Common contexts for uiteenlopen include politics, policy debates, research results, project plans, and statistical comparisons. For instance, begrotingen kunnen per gemeente uiteenlopen (budgets can differ across municipalities), of de resultaten liepen uiteen tussen de proefgroepen (the results differed between the test groups). The term emphasizes directional differences rather than a simple disagreement.

Related terms

Uiteenlopende is the standard attributive form meaning divergent or varying. Related idioms include lopen uiteen met elkaar, used to indicate a difference in comparison, and uit elkaar vallen, which means to fall apart in a more negative sense.

Etymology

The word is formed from uiteen (apart) and lopen (to run), signaling movement away from a common point toward different directions.