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grün vor Neid

Meaning: Consumed with jealousy or envious feeling.

Language: German

Literally: green from envy

Category: Body & Senses

Origin: The association of green with sickness and illness carried over to describe the pallor or sickly appearance of someone overwhelmed by envy.

More idioms — Body & Senses

  • 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…
  • jemandem in Fleisch und Blut übergehen — To become second nature or instinctive; to be absorbed so deeply that it feels like part…
  • die Hände in den Schoß legen — To be idle or inactive; to do nothing while waiting or while problems accumulate.
  • etwas auf seine Kappe nehmen — To accept blame or responsibility for something.
  • tenere a freno la lingua — to refrain from speaking; to keep silent.

More German idioms

  • Hinz und Kunz — Any ordinary person; everyone; the man in the street; used to refer to people indiscrimin…
  • keine halben Sachen machen — To commit fully to something; to be thorough and complete rather than halfhearted or comp…
  • was das Zeug hält — with maximum intensity or speed; to the absolute limit of one's capacity.
  • die Zelte abbrechen — to move away or leave a place; to abandon one's position.
  • bei der Stange halten — to keep someone obedient, loyal, or in line through discipline or pressure.
  • keine zehn Pferde — nothing could force or move one; obstinate refusal or immovable determination.

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