Germanjemandem in Fleisch und Blut übergehen
Meaning: To become second nature or instinctive; to be absorbed so deeply that it feels like part of one's body.
Literally: To pass into someone in flesh and blood
Example: “Nach zwanzig Jahren am Steuer ist ihr das Einparken in Fleisch und Blut übergegangen.” — After twenty years of driving, parking has become second nature to her.
English equivalent: To become second nature
Equivalents in other languages
English: become second nature
Origin: Fleisch und Blut (flesh and blood) stands for the whole human being, so something that has passed into one's flesh and blood has become part of oneself: a habit or skill so practiced it is automatic. Redensarten-Index finds it in writing from the first half of the 19th century, in Leopold von Ranke's history of the popes (1836).
More German idioms
- eine Schraube locker haben To be slightly eccentric or mentally unbalanced.
- im Sturm nehmen To achieve sudden and overwhelming success or popularity.
- gehüpft wie gesprungen It makes no difference; the distinction between two things is negligible.
- über den Jordan gehen To die.
- kein unbeschriebenes Blatt sein To be a person whose background, reputation, or history is already known.
- einen Vogel zeigen To tap one's forehead at someone, a rude gesture meaning "you're crazy."
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Dickkopf A pig-headed, unyielding person — their skull is so thick no new idea can penetrate it.
- Du bist nicht die hellste Kerze auf der Torte You're a little dim — not the smartest in the room.
- Du bist ein Schatz You're a sweetheart.
Keep exploring