keine zehn Pferde
Meaning: nothing could force or move one; obstinate refusal or immovable determination.
Language: German
Literally: not ten horses
Category: Animals
Origin: The phrase pictures wild horses—a proverbially powerful, unstoppable force—yet claims that not even ten of them could budge or sway the person in question.
More idioms — Animals
- an die Kandare nehmen — To restrain, control, or impose discipline on someone.
- einen Vogel zeigen — To gesture dismissively or insultingly, usually by mimicking a cuckoo or making a mocking…
- jemanden zur Schnecke machen — To scold or rebuke someone harshly; to give someone a severe dressing-down.
- auf den Leim gehen — To be deceived or tricked; to fall for a trap or deception.
- menare il can per l'aia — To avoid the main point by talking around the subject indirectly.
- calcio dell'asino — A cowardly or treacherous attack from an unexpected quarter.
More German idioms
- mundtot machen — to silence or suppress someone; to rob them of the ability or right to speak.
- wie ein Blinder von der Farbe reden — to discuss or explain something one has no direct experience or understanding of; to spea…
- erstunken und erlogen — entirely false or made up; a complete lie or fabrication.
- mit allem Drum und Dran — complete with all the accessories, extras, or associated details; entirely and comprehens…
- jemandem nicht das Wasser reichen können — To be vastly inferior to someone in ability or quality.
- auf dem Teppich bleiben — To stay grounded and realistic; to avoid getting swept up in fantasies or exaggeration.
From our proverbs
- A living dog is better than a dead lion. — Present survival and humble circumstances outweigh past glory or noble defeat.
- All lay load on the willing horse. — People exploit those who readily help, burdening them beyond fair limits due to their com…
- You needn't lock the stable door when the steed is stolen. — Prevention before loss occurs matters far more than remedies applied after damage is done.