IdiomDaily Life
German
Germanein Liedchen singen können
Meaning: To have direct, personal knowledge of something through lived experience.
Literally: To be able to sing a little song
Example: “Von langen Nachtschichten kann meine Mutter ein Liedchen singen.” — When it comes to long night shifts, my mother has been there and done that.
English equivalent: Been there, done that
Equivalents in other languages
English: been there, done that
Origin: Usually ein Lied davon singen können, to be able to sing a song about it: someone who has suffered something so often that they could make a ballad of their troubles. It is said ruefully, of experience gained the hard way, and its first use is not documented.
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