von einem Tag auf den anderen
Meaning: very quickly, suddenly, or overnight.
Language: German
Literally: from one day to the other
Category: Daily Life
Origin: The division between one day and the next as the shortest meaningful unit of time; the phrase measures change within this minimal interval.
More idioms — Daily Life
- außer Rand und Band geraten — To lose control and behave wildly or unruly.
- ein Liedchen singen können — To have direct, personal knowledge of something through lived experience.
- sein Damaskus erleben — To undergo a sudden, transformative spiritual or moral awakening.
- auf den Schlips treten — To offend or insult someone, to hurt their feelings or pride.
- Hinz und Kunz — Any ordinary person; everyone; the man in the street; used to refer to people indiscrimin…
- keine halben Sachen machen — To commit fully to something; to be thorough and complete rather than halfhearted or comp…
More German idioms
- Staub aufwirbeln — To cause trouble or create a dramatic disturbance.
- ein Esel schimpft den andern Langohr — A person criticizes another for the same fault they themselves possess.
- nah am Wasser gebaut — Someone who cries easily or is prone to tears.
- feucht hinter den Ohren — Young, inexperienced, or naive.
- alles im grünen Bereich sein — Everything is functioning well or is satisfactory.
- in den Wind sprechen — To speak in vain or to an audience that will not listen or act on one's words.
From our compliments & insults
- Pantoffelheld — A man who is only bold and brave at home — a henpecked pushover who bluster turns into a…
- Schlauberger — A know-it-all smartass who never misses a chance to show off their cleverness.
- Dickkopf — A pig-headed, unyielding person — their skull is so thick no new idea can penetrate it.