IdiomBody & Senses
German
Germanaus dem Handgelenk
Meaning: done with ease and without much effort or advance preparation; offhand.
Literally: From the wrist
Example: “Sie hielt die Rede aus dem Handgelenk, ohne Notizen.” — She gave the speech off the cuff, with no notes.
English equivalent: Off the cuff
Equivalents in other languages
English: off the cuff
French: Au débotté Literally: At the unbooting
Origin: The wrist joins the hand to the arm. A task so easy that it can be done with a flick of the wrist, without using the arm at all, is done aus dem Handgelenk: offhand, without preparation or effort.
More German idioms
- Staub aufwirbeln To cause trouble or create a dramatic disturbance.
- ein Esel schimpft den andern Langohr A person criticizes another for the same fault they themselves possess.
- außer Rand und Band geraten To lose control and behave wildly or unruly.
- nah am Wasser gebaut Someone who cries easily or is prone to tears.
- alles im grünen Bereich sein Everything is functioning well or is satisfactory.
- ein Liedchen singen können To have direct, personal knowledge of something through lived experience.
Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters
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- Fischers Fritz fischt frische Fische, frische Fische fischt Fischers Fritz. The German 'f' / 'sch' staple.
- Blaukraut bleibt Blaukraut und Brautkleid bleibt Brautkleid. A 'bl' / 'br' brain-twister.
- Zehn zahme Ziegen ziehen zehn Zentner Zucker zum Zoo. A sustained 'z' / 'ts' drill — every word starts with the same affricate.
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