IdiomDaily Life
German
GermanDampf ablassen
Meaning: To release pent-up emotion or frustration.
Literally: To let steam off
Example: “Nach der langen Woche lässt er im Fitnessstudio Dampf ab.” — After the long week, he blows off steam at the gym.
English equivalent: To blow off steam
Equivalents in other languages
English: blow off steam
Dutch: stoom afblazen Literally: To blow off steam
Origin: From steam engines. When pressure builds up in a boiler, steam has to be let out through a valve, or the boiler explodes. Letting off steam is releasing pent-up anger or energy before it does damage; English uses the identical image.
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.
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