jemandem nicht das Wasser reichen können
Meaning: To be vastly inferior to someone in ability or quality.
Language: German
Literally: to not be able to hand someone the water
Category: Daily Life
Origin: Origin uncertain; the image suggests someone so unequal that they cannot even perform the humble service of bringing water.
More idioms — Daily Life
- auf dem Teppich bleiben — To stay grounded and realistic; to avoid getting swept up in fantasies or exaggeration.
- seinen Hut nehmen — To resign or quit from a position.
- aus der Portokasse zahlen — To pay a large sum without difficulty because one has abundant resources.
- im Sturm nehmen — To achieve sudden and overwhelming success or popularity.
- kein unbeschriebenes Blatt sein — To be a person whose background, reputation, or history is already known.
- per amore o per forza — by any means necessary; whether one wishes it or not.
More German idioms
- an die Kandare nehmen — To restrain, control, or impose discipline on someone.
- die Faxen dicke haben — To be fed up; to have had enough of someone's nonsense or misbehavior.
- jemandem in Fleisch und Blut übergehen — To become second nature or instinctive; to be absorbed so deeply that it feels like part…
- eine Schraube locker haben — To be slightly eccentric or mentally unbalanced.
- gehüpft wie gesprungen — It makes no difference; the distinction between two things is negligible.
- über den Jordan gehen — To die.
From our proverbs
- He that longs most lacks most. — Constant desire reveals scarcity within oneself; craving signals deprivation rather than…
- The longest day must have an end. — Even the most difficult or lengthy struggles will eventually conclude if you endure.
- The loquacity of fools is a warning to the wise. — Excessive talkers reveal their ignorance through their words, providing astute listeners…