IdiomAnimals
German
GermanDie Kuh vom Eis holen
Meaning: To resolve a precarious situation.
Literally: To get the cow off the ice
Example: “Mit einem Kredit haben wir die Kuh vom Eis geholt.” — With a loan, we got things back on track.
English equivalent: To get things back on track
Origin: Getting a cow that has wandered onto the ice back onto solid ground is no easy job: a cow can weigh 800 kilos, and the ice may break under it at any moment. Getting the cow off the ice is defusing a delicate situation before it becomes a disaster. The lexicographer Heinz Küpper dates the phrase to 1965, which makes it one of the younger German idioms.
Equivalents in other languages
English: get things back on track
More German idioms
- Sein blaues Wunder erleben To get an unpleasant surprise.
- Da haben wir den Salat Now we've got a fine mess.
- Den Löffel abgeben To die.
- Ins Fettnäpfchen treten To commit an embarrassing social blunder.
- Das ist nicht das Gelbe vom Ei It's not ideal; not quite good enough.
- Alles in Butter Everything is fine and under control.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Dickkopf A pig-headed, unyielding person — their skull is so thick no new idea can penetrate it.
- Du bist nicht die hellste Kerze auf der Torte You're a little dim — not the smartest in the room.
- Du bist ein Schatz You're a sweetheart.
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