Auf dem Holzweg sein

Meaning: To be on completely the wrong track.

Language: German

Literally: To be on the timber track

Category: Nature

Origin: Medieval Holzwege were logging paths cut only to haul trees out — they dead-ended in the forest, stranding any traveler who trusted them.

More idioms — Nature

• 高嶺の花 — Someone or something beautiful but utterly out of reach.
• После дождичка в четверг — Never — or certainly no time soon.
• Τα έκανε θάλασσα — He made a complete mess of it.
• Je to za vodou — To be out of trouble; home free.
• Spadnout z višně — To be naive and clueless about how things really work.
• Lóg az eső lába — It looks like it's about to rain.

More German idioms

• Die Kirche im Dorf lassen — To keep things in proportion and not get carried away.
• Jetzt geht's um die Wurst — Now it's crunch time — everything is at stake.
• Das Leben ist kein Ponyhof — Life is not all fun and games; expect hardship.
• Die Katze im Sack kaufen — To buy something sight unseen and get cheated.
• Eine Extrawurst verlangen — To expect special treatment.
• Da kannst du Gift drauf nehmen — You can bet your life on it; it's absolutely certain.

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