IdiomBody & Senses
German
Germanvor den Kopf stoßen
Meaning: To offend or affront someone.
Literally: To push before the head
Example: “Mit der Bemerkung über ihr Kochen hat er sie vor den Kopf gestoßen.” — With that remark about her cooking, he trod on her toes.
English equivalent: To tread on someone's toes
Other ways to say this
- German: auf den Schlips treten Literally: To step on the necktie
English: tread on someone's toes
Origin: From a real blow to the head, which leaves a person stunned. The phrase is already in Martin Luther, who wrote in 1522 that one should confidently "strike against the head" those spreading lies and poison, as Paul did with sharp words. Today it means offending or snubbing someone so abruptly that they are taken aback.
More German idioms
- sich die Hörner abstoßen To shed youthful recklessness and settle into maturity.
- auf dem Damm In good health and spirits, recovered from illness or hardship.
- aus dem Off From off-screen or offstage; said of a voice heard without the speaker being seen, or of…
- etwas auf die lange Bank schieben to postpone or delay something indefinitely.
- in die Quere kommen to interfere with someone, to get in the way or obstruct.
- zu Grabe tragen to bury or permanently give up on something such as a hope, plan, or wish.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- Steter Tropfen höhlt den Stein Small efforts, repeated often enough, achieve great things.
- Viel Geschrei und wenig Wolle A lot of fuss with very little to show for it.
- Schuster, bleib bei deinem Leisten Stick to what you know and don't judge things outside your expertise.
Keep exploring