auf den Schlips treten
Meaning: To offend or insult someone, to hurt their feelings or pride.
Language: German
Literally: to step on the necktie
Category: Daily Life
Origin: Origin uncertain; the image suggests trampling on something a person wears close to the heart, or damaging their dignity.
More idioms — Daily Life
- Hinz und Kunz — Any ordinary person; everyone; the man in the street; used to refer to people indiscrimin…
- keine halben Sachen machen — To commit fully to something; to be thorough and complete rather than halfhearted or comp…
- die Zelte abbrechen — to move away or leave a place; to abandon one's position.
- erstunken und erlogen — entirely false or made up; a complete lie or fabrication.
- mit allem Drum und Dran — complete with all the accessories, extras, or associated details; entirely and comprehens…
- jemandem nicht das Wasser reichen können — To be vastly inferior to someone in ability or quality.
More German idioms
- um die Ecke denken — To think creatively or unconventionally, to solve problems by approaching them from unexp…
- auf keinen grünen Zweig kommen — To fail to achieve success or prosperity, to make no progress in life or a project.
- grün vor Neid — Consumed with jealousy or envious feeling.
- was das Zeug hält — with maximum intensity or speed; to the absolute limit of one's capacity.
- bei der Stange halten — to keep someone obedient, loyal, or in line through discipline or pressure.
- keine zehn Pferde — nothing could force or move one; obstinate refusal or immovable determination.
From our compliments & insults
- Du hast Köpfchen — You're sharp and clever — you use your brain well.
- Du bist klasse — You're brilliant — excellent, impressive, top-notch.
- Faulpelz — A lazybones — someone who lounges around and avoids any effort, as warm and inert as a fu…