den Geist aufgeben
Meaning: to die, or to cease functioning.
Language: German
Literally: to give up the ghost
Category: Body & Senses
Origin: An ancient image of the soul or spirit departing the body at death, found in many European languages and Biblical translation.
More idioms — Body & Senses
- um ein Haar — by the narrowest possible margin; almost not.
- aus dem Handgelenk — done with ease and without much effort or advance preparation; offhand.
- feucht hinter den Ohren — Young, inexperienced, or naive.
- grün vor Neid — Consumed with jealousy or envious feeling.
- mundtot machen — to silence or suppress someone; to rob them of the ability or right to speak.
- wie ein Blinder von der Farbe reden — to discuss or explain something one has no direct experience or understanding of; to spea…
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.
- nur Bahnhof verstehen — to understand nothing at all of what is being said.
- von einem Tag auf den anderen — very quickly, suddenly, or overnight.
- Staub aufwirbeln — To cause trouble or create a dramatic disturbance.
From our tongue twisters
- 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.