auf den Leim gehen

Meaning: To be deceived or tricked; to fall for a trap or deception.

Literally: To go onto the birdlime

Example: “Sie ist der falschen Gewinnbenachrichtigung auf den Leim gegangen.” — She fell for the fake prize notification hook, line, and sinker.

English equivalent: To fall for something hook, line, and sinker

Equivalents in other languages

Dutch: Iets voor zoete koek aannemen Literally: To accept something as sweet cake
English: fall for something hook, line, and sinker

Origin: The image is of a bird being caught on sticky birdlime spread on a branch, unable to escape once trapped.

Eine Nadel im Heuhaufen suchen To search for something you have almost no chance of finding, because the thing is tiny a…
Zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe schlagen To achieve two aims with a single action.
Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof I don't understand anything at all.
Da steppt der Bär It's going to be a great party.
Tomaten auf den Augen haben To be oblivious to what's right in front of you.
Ich glaub mein Schwein pfeift I can't believe it! That's outrageous!

Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.

Mist Actually means 'manure' or 'dung'. Foggy mist is Nebel or Dunst.
Oldtimer Actually means 'vintage car' or 'classic aircraft'. A veteran person is ein Veteran.
Bekommen Actually means 'to receive' or 'to get'. To become is werden.

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