im Sturm nehmen

Meaning: To achieve sudden and overwhelming success or popularity.

Literally: To take by storm

Example: “Die junge Pianistin nahm den Wettbewerb im Sturm.” — The young pianist took the competition by storm.

English equivalent: To take something by storm

Equivalents in other languages

Origin: A military image: to capture a fortified place by a forceful assault rather than a slow siege.

gehüpft wie gesprungen It makes no difference; the distinction between two things is negligible.
über den Jordan gehen To die.
einen Vogel zeigen To tap one's forehead at someone, a rude gesture meaning "you're crazy."
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.
vom Hundertsten ins Tausendste kommen To jump chaotically from one topic or thought to another without finishing any of them.

Words that capture a feeling or idea English needs a whole sentence for.

Schadenfreude The guilty little pleasure of taking satisfaction in someone else's misfortune.
Fernweh An aching longing for far-off places you've never been — the opposite of homesickness.
Weltschmerz The weariness and sadness you feel when the world as it is falls painfully short of the w…

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