German Idioms
eBook - ePub

German Idioms

Essential Day-to-Day Idioms to Instantly Sound More Fluent and Speak with Confidence

  1. English
  2. ePUB (mobile friendly)
  3. Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub

German Idioms

Essential Day-to-Day Idioms to Instantly Sound More Fluent and Speak with Confidence

About this book

Learn to speak German like a pro with German Idioms: Essential Day-to-Day Idioms to Instantly Sound More Fluent and Speak with Confidence.

This book is perfect for anyone who wants to sound more natural when speaking Ger a. It's packed with common idioms used in everyday conversations, making it easier to understand the German people, and express yourself like a native.

Each idiom comes with a simple explanation, there are also exercises and examples to show you how to use it.Whether you're learning German for fun, travel, or work, this book will boost your confidence and fluency.

Inside, you'll find:

Useful idioms explained in plain English.

Practice exercises to help you learn faster and memorize the idioms.

Easy examples so you can start using the idioms in real-life situations.

Get your copy today and start sounding more fluent in German right away!

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Table of contents

  1. lingoXpress
  2. Da steppt der Bär Literal: The bear dances there. Meaning: It's going to be a lively or exciting place.
  3. Tomaten auf den Augen haben Literal: To have tomatoes on your eyes. Meaning: To be oblivious to something obvious.
  4. Jemandem einen Bären aufbinden Literal: To tie a bear on someone. Meaning: To tell someone a tall tale.
  5. Den Nagel auf den Kopf treffen Literal: To hit the nail on the head. Meaning: To get something exactly right.
  6. Ins kalte Wasser springen Literal: To jump into cold water. Meaning: To take a risk or start something new.
  7. Hinter den Mond leben Literal: To live behind the moon. Meaning: To be out of touch or unaware.
  8. Klar wie Kloßbrühe Literal: Clear as dumpling broth. Meaning: Very clear or easy to understand.
  9. Mit dem Kopf durch die Wand Literal: To go through the wall with your head. Meaning: To be stubborn or determined to force something.
  10. Die Katze im Sack kaufen Literal: To buy the cat in the sack. Meaning: To buy something without inspecting it first.
  11. Connect Them Together Below are two lists: one with idioms and one with their translations. Draw lines from the idioms on the left to the matching translations on the right. Depending on your reading device, you might need a notepad. Idioms 1.Mit dem Kopf durch die Wand 2.Hinter den Mond leben 3.Ins kalte Wasser springen 4.Jemandem einen Bären aufbinden 5.Da steppt der Bär Meanings 1.To take a risk or start something new 2.To be stubborn or determined to force something 3.It's going to be a lively or exciting place 4.To be out of touch or unaware 5.To tell someone a tall tale
  12. Answers 1.Mit dem Kopf durch die Wand To be stubborn or determined to force something 2.Hinter den Mond leben To be out of touch or unaware 3.Ins kalte Wasser springen To take a risk or start something new 4.Jemandem einen Bären aufbinden To tell someone a tall tale 5.Da steppt der Bär It's going to be a lively or exciting place
  13. Writing Exercise Try to remember at least 3 idioms you learned! Write them down along with their translations as a way of memorizing them.
  14. Den Faden verlieren Literal: To lose the thread. Meaning: To lose your train of thought.
  15. Aus allen Wolken fallen Literal: To fall from all clouds. Meaning: To be surprised or shocked.
  16. Die Kirche im Dorf lassen Literal: To leave the church in the village. Meaning: To not exaggerate or go overboard.
  17. Lange Rede, kurzer Sinn Literal: Long speech, short meaning. Meaning: To get to the point.
  18. Das Kind mit dem Bade ausschütten Literal: To throw the baby out with the bathwater. Meaning: To get rid of something valuable while trying to remove the bad.
  19. Jemandem die Daumen drücken Literal: To press your thumbs for someone. Meaning: To wish someone good luck.
  20. Alles in Butter Literal: Everything in butter. Meaning: Everything is fine.
  21. Auf Wolke sieben schweben Literal: To float on cloud seven. Meaning: To be extremely happy or in love.
  22. Connect Them Together Below are two lists: one with idioms and one with their translations. Draw lines from the idioms on the left to the matching translations on the right. Depending on your reading device, you might need a notepad. Idioms 1.Alles in Butter 2.Jemandem die Daumen drücken 3.Das Kind mit dem Bade ausschütten 4.Die Kirche im Dorf lassen 5.Den Faden verlieren Meanings 1.To get rid of something valuable while trying to remove the bad 2.To lose your train of thought 3.To not exaggerate or go overboard 4.To wish someone good luck 5.Everything is fine
  23. Answers 1.Alles in Butter Everything is fine 2.Jemandem die Daumen drücken To wish someone good luck 3.Das Kind mit dem Bade ausschütten To get rid of something valuable while trying to remove the bad 4.Die Kirche im Dorf lassen To not exaggerate or go overboard 5.Den Faden verlieren To lose your train of thought
  24. Den Teufel an die Wand malen Literal: To paint the devil on the wall. Meaning: To imagine the worst possible scenario.
  25. Nicht alle Tassen im Schrank haben Literal: To not have all cups in the cupboard. Meaning: To be a little crazy.
  26. Hoch hinaus wollen Literal: To want to go high. Meaning: To aim for big goals.
  27. Jemandem den Kopf verdrehen Literal: To twist someone's head. Meaning: To make someone fall in love or confuse them.
  28. Den Kopf in den Sand stecken Literal: To stick your head in the sand. Meaning: To avoid facing reality.
  29. Bock haben Literal: To have a goat. Meaning: To feel like doing something.
  30. Einen Frosch im Hals haben Literal: To have a frog in your throat. Meaning: To have a hoarse voice or trouble speaking.
  31. Connect Them Together Below are two lists: one with idioms and one with their translations. Draw lines from the idioms on the left to the matching translations on the right. Depending on your reading device, you might need a notepad. Idioms 1.Bock haben 2.Den Kopf in den Sand stecken 3.Jemandem den Kopf verdrehen 4.Nicht alle Tassen im Schrank haben 5.Den Teufel an die Wand malen Meanings 1.To make someone fall in love or confuse them 2.To be a little crazy. 3.To feel like doing something 4.To imagine the worst possible scenario 5.To avoid facing reality
  32. Answers 1.Bock haben To feel like doing something 2.Den Kopf in den Sand stecken To avoid facing reality 3.Jemandem den Kopf verdrehen To make someone fall in love or confuse them 4.Nicht alle Tassen im Schrank haben To be a little crazy. 5.Den Teufel an die Wand malen To imagine the worst possible scenario
  33. Das ist nicht mein Bier Literal: That’s not my beer. Meaning: That’s not my problem.
  34. In den sauren Apfel beißen Literal: To bite into the sour apple. Meaning: To do something unpleasant that you must do.
  35. Jemandem einen Korb geben Literal: To give someone a basket. Meaning: To reject someone, especially romantically.
  36. Auf den Zahn fühlen Literal: To feel on the tooth. Meaning: To question someone to test their knowledge.
  37. Complete the Word Below are four idioms with one missing word. Fill in the blank with the correct word to complete the idiom. 1.In den sauren Apfel ______ 2.______ Frosch im Hals haben 3.Das ist ______ mein Bier 4.Jemandem den ______ verdrehen
  38. Answers 1.In den sauren Apfel beißen 2.Einen Frosch im Hals haben 3.Das ist nicht mein Bier 4.Jemandem den Kopf verdrehen
  39. Aus der Reihe tanzen Literal: To dance out of the line. Meaning: To act differently than expected.
  40. Die Nase voll haben Literal: To have your nose full. Meaning: To be fed up with something.
  41. Einen Schritt weiter sein Literal: To be one step ahead. Meaning: To have made more progress than others.
  42. Wasser predigen und Wein trinken Literal: To preach water and drink wine. Meaning: To act hypocritically.
  43. Auf einen grünen Zweig kommen Literal: To come to a green branch. Meaning: To be successful.
  44. Mit einem blauen Auge davonkommen Literal: To get away with a blue eye. Meaning: To escape from a difficult situation with little harm.
  45. Die Zähne zusammenbeißen Literal: To clench your teeth. Meaning: To endure something difficult.
  46. Alles in einem Rutsch Literal: Everything in one gulp. Meaning: To do something in one go.
  47. Den Spieß umdrehen Literal: To turn the skewer around. Meaning: To reverse a situation.
  48. Die Flinte ins Korn werfen Literal: To throw the shotgun into the grain. Meaning: To give up.
  49. Durch die Blume sagen Literal: To say it through the flower. Meaning: To say something in a roundabout way.
  50. Auf der langen Bank sitzen Literal: To sit on the long bench. Meaning: To procrastinate.
  51. Schwein haben Literal: To have a pig. Meaning: To be lucky.
  52. Jemanden auf den Arm nehmen Literal: To take someone on the arm. Meaning: To tease or prank someone.
  53. Hals- und Beinbruch Literal: Neck and leg break. Meaning: Good luck.
  54. Connect Them Together Below are two lists: one with idioms and one with their translations. Draw lines from the idioms on the left to the matching translations on the right. Depending on your reading device, you might need a notepad. Idioms 1.Jemanden auf den Arm nehmen 2.Auf der langen Bank sitzen 3.Den Spieß umdrehen 4.Alles in einem Rutsch 5.Einen Schritt weiter sein Meanings 1.To procrastinate 2.To tease or prank someone 3.To have made more progress than others 4.To reverse a situation 5.To do something in one go
  55. Answers 1.Jemanden auf den Arm nehmen To tease or prank someone 2.Auf der langen Bank sitzen To procrastinate 3.Den Spieß umdrehen To reverse a situation 4.Alles in einem Rutsch To do something in one go 5.Einen Schritt weiter sein To have made more progress than others
  56. Ein Auge zudrücken Literal: To close one eye. Meaning: To overlook or ignore something.
  57. Das Pferd von hinten aufzäumen Literal: To harness the horse from behind. Meaning: To approach something in the wrong way.
  58. Sich auf dünnem Eis bewegen Literal: To move on thin ice. Meaning: To be in a risky situation.
  59. In den letzten Zügen sein Literal: To be in the last steps. Meaning: To be in the final stages of something.
  60. Jemanden auf die Palme bringen Literal: To bring someone to the palm tree. Meaning: To irritate someone.
  61. Eine Hand wäscht die andere Literal: One hand washes the other. Meaning: You help me, I help you.
  62. Jemandem die kalte Schulter zeigen Literal: To show someone the cold shoulder. Meaning: To ignore or reject someone.
  63. Den Faden verlieren Literal: To lose the thread. Meaning: To lose the plot.
  64. Es jemandem heimzahlen Literal: To repay someone. Meaning: To take revenge.
  65. Sich ins Zeug legen Literal: To lay into the material. Meaning: To work hard.
  66. Das ist Schnee von gestern Literal: That’s snow from yesterday. Meaning: Something irrelevant or outdated.
  67. Die Spreu vom Weizen trennen Literal: To separate the chaff from the wheat. Meaning: To distinguish between the good and the bad.
  68. Mit hängendem Kopf gehen Literal: To go with a hanging head. Meaning: To walk away in shame.
  69. Das Handtuch werfen Literal: To throw the towel. Meaning: To give up.
  70. Von der Hand in den Mund leben Literal: To live from hand to mouth. Meaning: To live with little money.
  71. Fünf gerade sein lassen Literal: To leave five straight. Meaning: To let something slide.
  72. Ein Tropfen auf den heißen Stein Literal: A drop on the hot stone. Meaning: A small effort that doesn't solve the bigger issue.
  73. Einen Blick riskieren Literal: To risk a glance. Meaning: To take a quick look.
  74. Von der Rolle kommen Literal: To come off the roll. Meaning: To act out of character.
  75. Karten auf den Tisch legen Literal: To lay the cards on the table. Meaning: To reveal the truth.
  76. Jemandem einen Denkzettel verpassen Literal: To give someone a lesson note. Meaning: To teach someone a lesson.
  77. Wie ein Elefant im Porzellanladen Literal: Like an elephant in a porcelain shop. Meaning: To act clumsily.
  78. Etwas durch die Blume sagen Literal: To say something through the flower. Meaning: To say something indirectly.
  79. Da ist der Wurm drin Literal: There’s a worm in it. Meaning: There’s a problem.
  80. Die Kuh vom Eis holen Literal: To get the cow off the ice. Meaning: To resolve a difficult situation.
  81. In den Dreck ziehen Literal: To drag through the mud. Meaning: To defame someone.
  82. Einen Schritt voraus sein Literal: To be one step ahead. Meaning: To be ahead of the game.
  83. Writing Exercise Try to remember at least 10 idioms you learned! Write them down as a way of memorizing them.
  84. Ins Blaue hinein Literal: Into the blue. Meaning: Without a clear plan or direction.
  85. Das ist der Gipfel Literal: That’s the peak. Meaning: That’s the last straw.
  86. Der Apfel fällt nicht weit vom Stamm Literal: The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Meaning: Children resemble their parents.
  87. Connect Them Together Below are two lists: one with idioms and one with their translations. Draw lines from the idioms on the left to the matching translations on the right. Depending on your reading device, you might need a notepad. Idioms 1.Ins Blaue hinein 2.In den Dreck ziehen 3.Etwas durch die Blume sagen 4.Jemandem einen Denkzettel verpassen 5.Fünf gerade sein lassen Meanings 1.To defame someone 2.To let something slide 3.To teach someone a lesson 4.Without a clear plan or direction 5.To say something indirectly
  88. Answers 1.Ins Blaue hinein Without a clear plan or direction 2.In den Dreck ziehen To defame someone 3.Etwas durch die Blume sagen To say something indirectly 4.Jemandem einen Denkzettel verpassen To teach someone a lesson 5.Fünf gerade sein lassen To let something slide
  89. Complete the Word Below are four idioms with one missing word. Fill in the blank with the correct word to complete the idiom. 1.Der Apfel ______ ______ weit vom Stamm 2.______ Schritt voraus sein 3.Die ______ vom ______ holen 4.Karten ______ den Tisch ______
  90. Answers 1.Der Apfel fällt nicht weit vom Stamm 2.Einen Schritt voraus sein 3.Die Kuh vom Eis holen 4.Karten auf den Tisch legen
  91. Die Katze aus dem Sack lassen Literal: To let the cat out of the sack. Meaning: To reveal a secret.
  92. Mit der Tür ins Haus fallen Literal: To fall with the door into the house. Meaning: To speak too bluntly.
  93. Jemandem den Kopf waschen Literal: To wash someone's head. Meaning: To scold someone.
  94. Die Zeit zurückdrehen Literal: To turn back time. Meaning: To undo something.
  95. Der Drops ist gelutscht Literal: The drop has been sucked. Meaning: The situation is decided.
  96. Nicht auf den Kopf gefallen sein Literal: To not have fallen on your head. Meaning: To be smart.
  97. Die Klinge wetzen Literal: To sharpen the blade. Meaning: To prepare for a challenge.
  98. Etwas auf dem Schirm haben Literal: To have something on the radar. Meaning: To be aware of something.
  99. Eine ruhige Kugel schieben Literal: To push a quiet ball. Meaning: To take it easy.
  100. Ãœber den Tellerrand schauen Literal: To look over the plate. Meaning: To think outside the box.
  101. Das letzte Wort haben Literal: To have the last word. Meaning: To have the final say.
  102. Einen Wink mit dem Zaunpfahl geben Literal: To give a hint with the fence post. Meaning: To give a very obvious hint.
  103. Die Zügel in die Hand nehmen Literal: To take the reins in hand. Meaning: To take control.
  104. Den Bock zum Gärtner machen Literal: To make the goat the gardener. Meaning: To assign a person an inappropriate role.
  105. Sich die Butter vom Brot nehmen lassen Literal: To let someone take the butter from your bread. Meaning: To let someone take advantage of you.
  106. Etwas in den Wind schlagen Literal: To strike something in the wind. Meaning: To disregard something.
  107. Complete the Word Below are four idioms with one missing word. Fill in the blank with the correct word to complete the idiom. 1.Nicht auf den ______ gefallen ______ 2.Den Bock zum ______ machen 3.Einen ______ mit dem ______ geben 4.______ ruhige Kugel schieben
  108. Answers 1.Nicht auf den Kopf gefallen sein 2.Den Bock zum Gärtner machen 3.Einen Wink mit dem Zaunpfahl geben 4.Eine ruhige Kugel schieben