{"id":93047,"date":"2023-02-25T19:18:54","date_gmt":"2023-02-26T00:18:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/common-german-idioms\/"},"modified":"2024-12-03T02:12:43","modified_gmt":"2024-12-03T07:12:43","slug":"common-german-idioms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/german\/common-german-idioms\/","title":{"rendered":"25 Common German Idioms"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many German expressions have layers of meaning beyond the literal definitions of their words. \u201cTomatoes on the eyes\u201d? What\u2019s that about?<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a whiz at vocabulary but you still find yourself totally baffled in the middle of German conversations, it\u2019s time to learn German idioms<\/strong> and take your skills to the next level.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. Tomaten auf den Augen haben<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal translation:<\/strong> To have tomatoes on one\u2019s eyes
\nEnglish equivalent:<\/strong> To be oblivious to what\u2019s going around you<\/p>\n

Der Freund von Anna betr\u00fcgt sie aber sie<\/span> hat Tomaten auf den Augen<\/strong>.<\/em>
\n(Anna\u2019s boyfriend is cheating on her, but she\u2019s oblivious to what\u2019s going on.)<\/p>\n

2. Da kannst du Gift drauf nehmen<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal translation:<\/strong> You can take poison on that
\nEnglish equivalent:<\/strong> You can bet your life on that \/ you can be sure of that<\/p>\n

Mein Vater wird die Sache in Ordnung bringen,<\/span> darauf kannst du Gift nehmen<\/strong>.<\/em>
\n(My father will sort this out, you can be sure of that.)<\/p>\n

3. Sich zum Affen machen<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal translation:<\/strong> To make an ape of oneself
\nEnglish equivalent:<\/strong> To make a fool of oneself<\/p>\n

Wir lassen uns doch nicht<\/span>\u00a0zum Affen machen<\/strong>!<\/em>
\n(We won\u2019t let ourselves be made fools of!)<\/p>\n

4. Zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe schlagen<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal translation:<\/strong> Kill two flies with one swat
\nEnglish equivalent:<\/strong> To kill two birds with one stone<\/p>\n

Morgen kann ich meine Eltern und alte Schulfreunde besuchen und<\/span> zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe schlagen<\/strong>!<\/em>
\n(Tomorrow I can visit my parents and old school friends and kill two birds with one stone!)<\/p>\n

5. Eine Extrawurst verlangen<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal translation:<\/strong> To ask for an extra sausage
\nEnglish equivalent:<\/strong> To ask for special treatment<\/p>\n

Der Sohn des Chefs<\/span> verlangt immer eine Extrawurst<\/strong>!<\/em>
\n(The boss\u2019 son always asks for special treatment.)<\/p>\n

6. Himmel und H\u00f6lle in Bewegung setzen<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal translation:<\/strong> Put heaven and hell in motion
\nEnglish equivalent:<\/strong> To move heaven and earth<\/p>\n

Er wird<\/span> Himmel und H\u00f6lle in Bewegung setzen,<\/strong> um zwei Karten f\u00fcr das Konzert zu bekommen.<\/span><\/em>
\n(He will move heaven and earth to get two tickets to the concert.)<\/p>\n

7. Da steppt der B\u00e4r<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal translation:<\/strong> The bear dances there
\nEnglish equivalent:<\/strong> It will be a great party \/ to be a mad one<\/p>\n

Ich gehe heute Abend zu Maria.<\/span> Da steppt der B\u00e4r!<\/strong><\/em>
\n(I\u2019m going to Maria\u2019s tonight. It\u2019ll be a mad one!)<\/p>\n

A close relative to the dancing bear is the burning air. It\u2019s a similar phrase with an identical meaning: Da brennt die Luft!<\/em><\/p>\n

8. Um den hei\u00dfen Brei herumreden<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal translation:<\/strong> To talk around the hot porridge
\nEnglish equivalent:<\/strong> To beat around the bush<\/p>\n

Rede nicht<\/span> um den hei\u00dfen Brei herum!<\/strong> Sag mir, worum\u00a0es eigentlich geht!<\/span><\/em>
\n(Don\u2019t beat around the bush! Tell me what it\u2019s actually about!)<\/p>\n

9. Den Nagel auf den Kopf treffen<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal translation:<\/strong> To hit the nail on the head
\nEnglish equivalent:<\/strong> To hit the nail on the head<\/p>\n

Du hast recht!<\/span> Du hast den Nagel auf den Kopf getroffen.<\/strong><\/em>
\n(You\u2019re right! You\u2019ve hit the nail on the head.)<\/p>\n

10. Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal translation:<\/strong> I can only understand \u201ctrain station\u201d
\nEnglish equivalent:<\/strong> It\u2019s all Greek to me<\/p>\n

Er hat so einen starken Akzent\u2014<\/span>ich verstehe nur Bahnhof!<\/strong><\/em>
\n(He has such a strong accent\u2014it\u2019s all Greek to me!)<\/p>\n

11. Weggehen wie warme Semmeln<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal translation:<\/strong> To go like warm rolls
\nEnglish equivalent:<\/strong> To go or sell like hotcakes<\/p>\n

Sein neues Album\u00a0geht<\/span> weg wie warme Semmeln.<\/strong><\/em>
\n(His new album is selling like hotcakes.)<\/p>\n

12. Seinen Senf dazugeben<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal translation:<\/strong> To add their mustard
\nEnglish equivalent:<\/strong> To put their two cents in<\/p>\n

Peter spricht zu viel. Er muss immer<\/span> seinen Senf dazugeben.<\/strong><\/em>
\n(Peter talks too much. He always has to put his two cents in.)<\/p>\n

13. Jemandem die Daumen dr\u00fccken<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal translation:<\/strong> To squeeze your thumbs for someone
\nEnglish equivalent:<\/strong> To keep one\u2019s fingers crossed for someone<\/p>\n

Viel Gl\u00fcck! Ich<\/span> dr\u00fccke dir die Daumen!<\/strong><\/em>
\n(Good luck! I\u2019ll keep my fingers crossed for you!)<\/p>\n

14. Etwas wie seine Westentasche kennen<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal translation:<\/strong> To know something like one\u2019s waistcoat pocket
\nEnglish equivalent:<\/strong> To know it like the back of one\u2019s hand<\/p>\n

Ich kenne<\/strong> die Gegend<\/span>\u00a0wie meine Westentasche.<\/strong><\/em>
\n(I know the area like the back of my hand.)<\/p>\n

15. Man soll den Tag nicht vor dem Abend loben<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal translation:<\/strong> Don\u2019t praise the day before the evening
\nEnglish equivalent:<\/strong> Don\u2019t count your chicks before they hatch<\/p>\n

Sag nicht, dass Argentinien die Weltmeisterschaft gewinnen wird.<\/span> Man soll den Tag nicht vor dem Abend loben!<\/strong><\/em>
\n(Don\u2019t say that Argentina will win the World Cup. Don\u2019t count your chicks before they hatch!)<\/p>\n

16. Jemandem ein Ohr abkauen<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal translation:<\/strong> To chew someone\u2019s ear off
\nEnglish equivalent:<\/strong> To talk someone\u2019s ear off<\/p>\n

Opa hat mich heute auch angerufen und mir ein Ohr abgekaut.<\/strong><\/span><\/em>
\n(Granddad called me today to talk my ear off.)<\/p>\n

17. Klar wie Klo\u00dfbr\u00fche<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal translation:<\/strong> Clear as dumpling broth
\nEnglish equivalent:<\/strong> Crystal clear \/ clear as day \/ (when used sarcastically) clear as mud<\/p>\n

Wie kapierst du das nicht? Das ist doch<\/span> klar wie Klo\u00dfbr\u00fche!<\/strong><\/em>
\n(How do you not get it? It\u2019s crystal clear!)<\/p>\n

18. Dumm wie Bohnenstroh<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal translation:<\/strong> As dumb as a bean straw
\nEnglish equivalent:<\/strong> As thick as a brick<\/p>\n

Er ist sehr sympathisch\u00a0aber<\/span> dumm wie Bohnenstroh.<\/strong><\/em>
\n(He is very nice but as thick as a brick.)<\/p>\n

19. Die Kirche im Dorf lassen<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal translation:<\/strong> To leave the church in the village
\nEnglish equivalent:<\/strong> To not get carried away<\/p>\n

Das war gar nicht so schlimm. Jetzt lass mal<\/span>\u00a0die Kirche im Dorf.<\/strong><\/em>
\n(It wasn\u2019t all that bad. Don\u2019t get carried away now.)<\/p>\n

20. Schwein haben<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal translation:<\/strong> To have a pig
\nEnglish equivalent:<\/strong> To have a stroke of luck \/ to get lucky<\/p>\n

Heute haben wir mit dem Wetter<\/span> Schwein gehabt!<\/strong><\/em>
\n(We got lucky with the weather today!)<\/p>\n

21. Ich bin nicht auf der Nudelsuppe dahergeschwommen<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal translation:<\/strong> I didn\u2019t swim over here on the noodle soup
\nEnglish equivalent:<\/strong> I wasn\u2019t born yesterday<\/p>\n

Mich kannst du nicht t\u00e4uschen. Ich bin ja<\/span> nicht auf der Nudelsuppe daher geschwommen!<\/strong><\/em>
\n(You can\u2019t fool me! I wasn\u2019t born yesterday!)<\/p>\n

22. Da haben wir den Salat<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal translation:<\/strong> There we have the salad
\nEnglish equivalent: <\/strong>The fat\u2019s in the fire \/ now we\u2019re in a real mess<\/p>\n

H\u00e4ttest Du nicht besser aufpassen k\u00f6nnen? Jetzt<\/span> haben\u00a0wir\u00a0den\u00a0Salat<\/strong>!<\/em>
\n(Couldn\u2019t you have paid better attention? Now we\u2019re in a real mess!)<\/p>\n

23. Das f\u00fcnfte Rad am Wagen sein<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal translation:<\/strong> To be the fifth wheel on the car
\nEnglish equivalent:<\/strong> To be the third wheel<\/p>\n

Meine besten Freunde sind jetzt ein Paar und ich bin<\/span> das f\u00fcnfte Rad am Wagen!<\/strong><\/em>
\n(My best friends are now a couple and I\u2019m the third wheel!)<\/p>\n

24. Einen Vogel haben<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal translation:<\/strong> To have a bird
\nEnglish equivalent:<\/strong> To be crazy<\/p>\n

Bei dieser K\u00e4lte ohne eine Jacke nach drau\u00dfen gehen?<\/span> Hast du einen Vogel?<\/strong><\/em>
\n(Going outside without a jacket in this cold? Are you crazy?)<\/p>\n

25. Geld aus dem Fenster werfen<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal translation:<\/strong> To throw money out of the window
\nEnglish equivalent:<\/strong> To throw money down the drain<\/p>\n

Warum hast du so viel f\u00fcr einen neuen Fernseher ausgegeben? Du m\u00fcsst aufh\u00f6ren, dein<\/span> Geld aus dem Fenster zu werfen!<\/strong><\/em>
\n(Why did you spend so much on a new television? You need to stop throwing your money down the drain!)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And there you have it! These idioms can get really creative, so the best way to remember them is to hear them in context! One tool for this is FluentU.\u00a0<\/p>\n

FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n

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You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app<\/a> or Android app.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

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