German Idioms

A curated set of 35 idioms in German — literal translations, real meanings, and where each one comes from.

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Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof — I don't understand anything at all. Literally: I only understand train station.
Da steppt der Bär — It's going to be a great party. Literally: The bear dances there.
Tomaten auf den Augen haben — To be oblivious to what's right in front of you. Literally: To have tomatoes on one's eyes.
Ich glaub mein Schwein pfeift — I can't believe it! That's outrageous! Literally: I think my pig is whistling.
Um den heißen Brei herumreden — To beat around the bush. Literally: To talk around the hot porridge.
Schwein haben — Getting unexpectedly lucky — rooted in medieval tournaments where the last-place finisher won a live piglet as a consolation prize, turning misfortune into a surprise reward. Literally: To have pig.
Da liegt der Hund begraben — That's the crux of the matter. Literally: That's where the dog is buried.
Die Daumen drücken — To wish someone good luck (like crossing fingers). Literally: To press the thumbs.
Seinen Senf dazugeben — To give an unsolicited opinion. Literally: To add one's mustard.
Klar wie Kloßbrühe — Completely obvious. Literally: Clear as dumpling broth.
jemandem einen Bären aufbinden — To tell someone a deliberate lie or deceptive story for amusement or manipulation. Literally: to tie a bear to someone.
in den sauren Apfel beißen — To accept an unpleasant necessity or disagreeable situation with resignation and stoicism. Literally: to bite into the sour apple.
mit jemandem Katz und Maus spielen — To tease or toy with someone's emotions, alternating between kind and cruel treatment for personal amusement. Literally: to play cat and mouse with someone.
Das ist mir Wurst — I couldn't care less either way. Literally: That is sausage to me.
Auf dem Holzweg sein — To be on completely the wrong track. Literally: To be on the timber track.
Die Kirche im Dorf lassen — To keep things in proportion and not get carried away. Literally: To leave the church in the village.
Jetzt geht's um die Wurst — Now it's crunch time — everything is at stake. Literally: Now it's about the sausage.
Das Leben ist kein Ponyhof — Life is not all fun and games; expect hardship. Literally: Life is no pony farm.
Die Katze im Sack kaufen — To buy something sight unseen and get cheated. Literally: To buy the cat in the sack.
Eine Extrawurst verlangen — To expect special treatment. Literally: To demand an extra sausage.
Da kannst du Gift drauf nehmen — You can bet your life on it; it's absolutely certain. Literally: You can take poison on it.
Den Nagel auf den Kopf treffen — To be exactly right. Literally: To hit the nail on the head.
Da wird der Hund in der Pfanne verrückt — An exclamation of utter disbelief. Literally: There the dog goes crazy in the frying pan.
Die Kuh vom Eis holen — To resolve a precarious situation. Literally: To get the cow off the ice.
Sein blaues Wunder erleben — To get an unpleasant surprise. Literally: To experience your blue wonder.
Da haben wir den Salat — Now we've got a fine mess. Literally: There we have the salad.
Den Löffel abgeben — To die. Literally: To hand over the spoon.
Ins Fettnäpfchen treten — To commit an embarrassing social blunder. Literally: To step into the little grease pot.
Eulen nach Athen tragen — To do something utterly pointless. Literally: To carry owls to Athens.
Hummeln im Hintern haben — To be unable to sit still. Literally: To have bumblebees in your behind.
Das ist nicht das Gelbe vom Ei — It's not ideal; not quite good enough. Literally: That's not the yellow of the egg.
Alles in Butter — Everything is fine and under control. Literally: Everything in butter.
Aus dem Häuschen sein — To be beside yourself with excitement. Literally: To be out of your little house.
Jemandem auf den Keks gehen — To get on someone's nerves. Literally: To go on someone's biscuit.
Einen Kater haben — To have a hangover. Literally: To have a tomcat.

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