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were undone by a Dutch masterclass

English translation: The Dutch gave an expert performance that the English couldn't beat

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:were undone by a Dutch masterclass
Selected answer:The Dutch gave an expert performance that the English couldn't beat
Entered by: B D Finch

10:53 Apr 11, 2016
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Cinema, Film, TV, Drama
English term or phrase: were undone by a Dutch masterclass
Hello everyone,

A narrator in a documentary about Marco van Basten talks about the match between England and Holland at Euro 88.

"Van Basten scored twice more – not so much a hat-trick as a statement of intent. The English were undone by a Dutch masterclass, one which ultimately led to a semi-final showdown with old rivals West Germany. For some, there were scores to settle."

Does "The English were undone by a Dutch masterclass" mean that the Dutch played much better than the English (i.e. they taught them a lesson on how to play football, the Dutch being the master and the English being the students, so to speak), or does "a Dutch masterclass" refer specifically to Marco van Basten?

Thank you
Mikhail Korolev
Local time: 18:59
The Dutch gave an expert performance that the English couldn't beat
Explanation:
A masterclass is a class given by one or more professionals and experts in their field. In this case, the English didn't stand a chance, because the Dutch demonstrated such expertise they were like teachers and the English side and spectators were like their students.
Selected response from:

B D Finch
France
Local time: 17:59
Grading comment
Many thanks to everyone.
Thank you, B D Finch.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +6The Dutch gave an expert performance that the English couldn't beat
B D Finch
4ont été surclassés par les Pays-Bas/Les Pays-Bas ont donné une lecon de football a l'Angleterre
Philippe ROUSSEAU


  

Answers


18 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +6
were undone by a dutch masterclass
The Dutch gave an expert performance that the English couldn't beat


Explanation:
A masterclass is a class given by one or more professionals and experts in their field. In this case, the English didn't stand a chance, because the Dutch demonstrated such expertise they were like teachers and the English side and spectators were like their students.

B D Finch
France
Local time: 17:59
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 19
Grading comment
Many thanks to everyone.
Thank you, B D Finch.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  P.L.F. Persio: exactly!
6 mins
  -> Thanks
agree  Charles Davis
29 mins
  -> Thanks Charles
agree  Thayenga: :)
41 mins
  -> Thanks Thayenga
agree  philgoddard: Sports questions like this often arise because the speaker was not being very clear. I actually think this is good writing.
3 hrs
  -> Thanks Phil. I agree.
agree  Yvonne Gallagher
11 hrs
  -> Thanks Gallagy
agree  Jessica Burlacu
14 hrs
  -> Thanks Jessica
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

26 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
were undone by a dutch masterclass
ont été surclassés par les Pays-Bas/Les Pays-Bas ont donné une lecon de football a l'Angleterre


Explanation:
On pourrait comprendre que que cela s'applique à. Marco Van Basten, vu qu'il a marqué tous les buts de son équipe (3-1). Mais il n'aurait rien pu faire sans ses coéquipiers. Le football est un sport d'équipe, et cette victoire a été construite collectivement. Elle est donc celle de toute une équipe, les Pays-Bas.

Philippe ROUSSEAU
France
Local time: 17:59
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  B D Finch: The question is English to English!
3 hrs
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