IdiomBody & Senses
German
Germanden Geist aufgeben
Meaning: to die, or to cease functioning.
Literally: To give up the ghost
Example: “Mein alter Drucker hat mitten im Ausdruck den Geist aufgegeben.” — My old printer gave up the ghost halfway through printing.
English equivalent: To give up the ghost
Equivalents in other languages
English: give up the ghost
Origin: From the Bible. Luther's translation uses it for dying both in the Old Testament, in Lamentations (2:12), and in the New, where Ananias "fell down and gave up the ghost" (Acts 5:5); the spirit (Geist) leaves the body at death. Today it is also said of machines and devices that stop working, just as English says something "gave up the ghost."
More German idioms
- 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.
- zu Grabe tragen to bury or permanently give up on something such as a hope, plan, or wish.
- 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.
Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters
Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.
- 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.
- Wenn Fliegen hinter Fliegen fliegen, fliegen Fliegen Fliegen nach. Fliegen means 'flies' (insects), 'to fly', and 'flying' — all at once, relentlessly.
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