Deutsche IdiomeTeil I

Du bist mit dem linken Fuß aufgestanden.

You got up on the wrong foot. (Meaning – your in a bad mood.)Literal German: You got up with the left foot. (aufstehen – to stand up)

Mir reißt die Geduld!

My patience is wearing thin. (Meaning – My patience with you is close to the end)Literal German: My Patience is being ripped. (reißen – to rip)

Deine Unhöflichkeit lasse ich mir nicht gefallen.

I’m not putting up with your impoliteness! (Meaning – I’m not going to allow your impoliteness.)Literal German: I will not let your impoliteness please me. (gefallen – to like / please)

Er ist durch die Luft gegangen.

He has gone through the roof. (Meaning – He has lost his temper. / become very mad)Literal German: He has gone through the air.

Das ist ein wunder Punkt.

That is a sore point.(Meaning – that topic is hurtful )Literal German: That is a wounded point.

Das sitzt wie angegossen.

That fits like a glove. (Meaning – That is a perfect fit.)Literal German: That sits like it was poured on. (gießen – to pour)

Die Touristen sind im Gänsemarsch hingegangen.

The tourist went in walking single file. (Meaning – to be walking in a line)Literal German: The tourists went in like a row of marching geese.

Wir sind im Flugzeug wie Heringe gedrängt.

We were packed into the airplane like sardines. (Meaning – to be packed very close together / overcrowded)Literal German: We were packed into the airplane like Herrings. (drängen – to crowd)

Das Auto sieht wie aus dem Ei gepellt.

The car looks spick and span. (Meaning – to be very clean looking)Literal German: The car looks like it has been peeled out of the egg. (pellen – to peel)

Es ist zum Bersten voll.

It is filled to the bursting point. (Meaning – it is completely full)Literal German: It is full to bursting. (bersten – to burst)

Man soll das Fell des Bären nicht verteilen, bevor man ihn erlegt hat.

Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. (Meaning – don’t make assumptions)Literal German: One should not divide the pelt of the bear up, before one has killed him. (verteilen – to divide / erlegen – to slay)

Das kommt nicht in Frage.

That is out of the question. (Meaning – it is not even to be considered.)Literal German: That comes not into question. (fragen – to ask)

Andere Länder, andere Sitten.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. (Meaning – different people have different customs)Literal German: different (other) countries, different (other) customs

Du hast den Nagel auf dem Kopf getroffen.

You hit the nail on the head. (Meaning – That is exactly right / correct.)Literal German: You have hit the nail on the head. (treffen – to hit / to meet)