Dampf ablassen
Meaning: To release pent-up emotion or frustration.
Language: German
Literally: to let steam off
Category: Daily Life
Origin: From the image of steam pressure building in a vessel and needing an outlet to prevent damage; the emotional parallel is direct.
More idioms — Daily Life
- aus dem Off — to speak or act without drawing attention to oneself, anonymously or from the background.
- etwas auf die lange Bank schieben — to postpone or delay something indefinitely.
- in die Quere kommen — to interfere with someone, to get in the way or obstruct.
- von einem Tag auf den anderen — very quickly, suddenly, or overnight.
- außer Rand und Band geraten — To lose control and behave wildly or unruly.
- ein Liedchen singen können — To have direct, personal knowledge of something through lived experience.
More German idioms
- Salz in die Wunde streuen — To deliberately make someone's pain or humiliation worse.
- die Suppe versalzen — To ruin a plan or situation through careless excess.
- vor den Kopf stoßen — To offend or affront someone.
- sich die Hörner abstoßen — To shed youthful recklessness and settle into maturity.
- auf dem Damm — In good health and spirits, recovered from illness or hardship.
- den Geist aufgeben — to die, or to cease functioning.