etwas auf seine Kappe nehmen
Meaning: To accept blame or responsibility for something.
Language: German
Literally: to take something onto one's cap
Category: Body & Senses
Origin: Origin uncertain; the cap may represent the head as the seat of responsibility, or the image may derive from placing a visible mark or burden on one's head.
More idioms — Body & Senses
- tenere a freno la lingua — to refrain from speaking; to keep silent.
- a gambe levate — With great speed or haste, moving rapidly or impetuously.
- con il piede sbagliato — To start something badly or get off to a poor beginning.
- togliere il fiato — To leave someone astonished or breathless with amazement.
- a bocca asciutta — Hungry and wanting food, or disappointed and empty-handed.
- guardarsi alle spalle — To remain vigilant and aware of dangers or threats that might come from behind.
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.
- Eine Nadel im Heuhaufen suchen — To search for something you have almost no chance of finding, because the thing is tiny a…
- Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof — I don't understand anything at all.
- Da steppt der Bär — It's going to be a great party.
From our tongue twisters
- Der Cottbuser Postkutscher putzt den Cottbuser Postkutschkasten. — A jaw-breaking compound-noun 'ts/tsch/sch' marathon — the German love of compound words w…
- Hinter Hermann Hannes Haus hängen hundert Hemden raus. — A relentless 'h' aspirate drill — every word opens with the same breathy attack.
- Fischers Fritz fischt frische Fische, frische Fische fischt Fischers Fritz. — The German 'f' / 'sch' staple.