Germanauf den Schlips treten
Meaning: To offend or insult someone, to hurt their feelings or pride.
Literally: To step on the necktie
Example: “Mit der Bemerkung über sein Kochen bin ich ihm auf den Schlips getreten.” — With that remark about his cooking, I trod on his toes.
English equivalent: To tread on someone's toes
Other ways to say this
- German: vor den Kopf stoßen Literally: To push before the head
English: tread on someone's toes
Origin: The phrase is recorded from about 1900, according to Redensarten-Index, citing Pfeifer's etymological dictionary. Treading on someone's tie, a garment worn with care and close to the chest, is offending them. Its exact origin is not documented; an often-repeated suggestion links Schlips to Low German Slip, a coattail, which one could literally step on, but this is not confirmed.
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