IdiomFood & Drink
German
GermanSeinen Senf dazugeben
Meaning: To give an unsolicited opinion.
Literally: To add one's mustard
Example: “Bei jeder Diskussion muss mein Onkel seinen Senf dazugeben.” — In every discussion, my uncle has to put in his two cents.
English equivalent: To put in one's two cents
Origin: Often told as a 17th-century innkeeper custom, but that story is undocumented; more likely from mustard as a cheap, ubiquitous condiment added whether wanted or not. True origin uncertain.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Mettre son grain de sel Literally: To add one's grain of salt
English: stick your oar in- English: put in one's two cents
More German idioms
- jemandem einen Bären aufbinden To tell someone a deliberate lie or deceptive story for amusement or manipulation.
- in den sauren Apfel beißen To accept an unpleasant necessity or disagreeable situation with resignation and stoicism.
- mit jemandem Katz und Maus spielen To tease or toy with someone's emotions, alternating between kind and cruel treatment for…
- Das ist mir Wurst I couldn't care less either way.
- Auf dem Holzweg sein To be on completely the wrong track.
- Die Kirche im Dorf lassen To keep things in proportion and not get carried away.
Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters
Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.
- Fischers Fritz fischt frische Fische, frische Fische fischt Fischers Fritz. The German 'f' / 'sch' staple.
- Blaukraut bleibt Blaukraut und Brautkleid bleibt Brautkleid. A 'bl' / 'br' brain-twister.
- Zehn zahme Ziegen ziehen zehn Zentner Zucker zum Zoo. A sustained 'z' / 'ts' drill — every word starts with the same affricate.
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