nee heb je, ja kun je krijgen
Dutch
editAlternative forms
editEtymology
editRoughly, “you [already] have [a] 'no', you can [still] get [a] 'yes'”.
Proverb
editUsage notes
edit- This phrase is slightly more specific than its near-synonym niet geschoten is altijd mis (and its synonyms), as this phrase is used specifically when encouraging someone to ask or request things from others, whereas niet geschoten is altijd mis is used when trying things in general (not limited to questions or requests).