IdiomBody & Senses
German
Germandie Hände in den Schoß legen
Meaning: To be idle or inactive; to do nothing while waiting or while problems accumulate.
Literally: To lay the hands in the lap
Example: “Während das Dach tropfte, legte er die Hände in den Schoß.” — While the roof was leaking, he just sat on his hands.
English equivalent: To sit on one's hands
Equivalents in other languages
French: Avoir les deux pieds dans le même sabot Literally: To have both feet in the same clog
English: sit on one's hands
Origin: Hands resting in the lap are hands doing no work. Laying them there is sitting idle, especially when something ought to be done. It has no particular story behind it.
More German idioms
- vom Hundertsten ins Tausendste kommen To jump chaotically from one topic or thought to another without finishing any of them.
- jemanden zur Schnecke machen To scold or rebuke someone harshly; to give someone a severe dressing-down.
- auf den Leim gehen To be deceived or tricked; to fall for a trap or deception.
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- Zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe schlagen To achieve two aims with a single action.
- Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof I don't understand anything at all.
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