Michael Beijer Sep 9, 2014:

However, I think we need more context. I mean, who are the reds and the greens? I assume this is politics and that some form of coalition is being referred to, but a little more context would go a long way here…

Michael Beijer Sep 9, 2014:

my thoughts off the top of my head, I'd say you could translate it as follows:

to have one foot out the door =
op het punt staan om te vertrekken

or maybe, in this context .. op het punt staan om ermee te kappen

or: met de gedachten al ergens anders zijn

My big TM collection has the following: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/6802597/Screenshots/one-...

one meaning is sth like: when a person is already on their way out. sort of no longer paying much attention to you, as they are already thinking about whatever is outside of that door...

‘That is to say you have this person's complete attention until some one better comes along’ (https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090715070106A...

I think Barend's suggestion is good, ‘De roden dreigen al uit het overleg weg te lopen’
Not sure why he wrote ‘De roden dreigen er al mee uit het overleg weg te lopen’ (waar slaat die 'er' op?)

adremco (asker) Sep 9, 2014:

Errr no. I really meant one foot out (of) the door.