IdiomDaily Life
German
Germanjemandem nicht das Wasser reichen können
Meaning: To be vastly inferior to someone in ability or quality.
Literally: To not be able to hand someone the water
Example: “Beim Backen kann ich meiner Großmutter nicht das Wasser reichen.” — When it comes to baking, I can't hold a candle to my grandmother.
English equivalent: Not to hold a candle to someone
Equivalents in other languages
English: not hold a candle to someone
Origin: From the medieval custom of passing water round for guests to wash their hands before a meal, a humble task done by servants or pages. Someone not even fit to hand another person the water is far beneath them. German Wiktionary gives this explanation.
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.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
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- Die Kirschen in Nachbars Garten schmecken immer süßer Other people's things always seem better than your own.
- Besser biegen als brechen It is better to give a little than to break completely.
- Jeder hat sein Kreuz zu tragen Everyone has their own burden of troubles.
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