Ins Fettnäpfchen treten

Meaning: To commit an embarrassing social blunder.

Language: German

Literally: To step into the little grease pot

Category: Food & Drink

Origin: From farmhouse grease pots set by the door; tread in one and you've made a clumsy, awkward mess.

More idioms — Food & Drink

• Estar en el ajo — To be in on a secret or scheme.
• Tener mala uva — To have a nasty temper or ill intentions.
• Ponerse como una sopa — To get soaked to the bone.
• Estar hasta en la sopa — To be everywhere; impossible to avoid.
• Liscio come l'olio — To go off without a hitch.
• Tutto fa brodo — Every little bit helps.

More German idioms

• Eulen nach Athen tragen — To do something utterly pointless.
• Hummeln im Hintern haben — To be unable to sit still.
• Das ist nicht das Gelbe vom Ei — It's not ideal; not quite good enough.
• Alles in Butter — Everything is fine and under control.
• Aus dem Häuschen sein — To be beside yourself with excitement.
• Jemandem auf den Keks gehen — To get on someone's nerves.

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