was das Zeug hält
Meaning: with maximum intensity or speed; to the absolute limit of one's capacity.
Language: German
Literally: what the stuff holds
Category: The Absurd
Origin: The phrase pictures something—a vehicle, a machine, or a person—being pushed or driven all the way to the end of what it can endure or achieve.
More idioms — The Absurd
- die Faxen dicke haben — To be fed up; to have had enough of someone's nonsense or misbehavior.
- 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.
- vom Hundertsten ins Tausendste kommen — To jump chaotically from one topic or thought to another without finishing any of them.
- arrampicarsi sugli specchi — to attempt to defend an indefensible position or grasp at straws.
- farsene un baffo — to not care at all; to be indifferent to something.
More German idioms
- die Zelte abbrechen — to move away or leave a place; to abandon one's position.
- bei der Stange halten — to keep someone obedient, loyal, or in line through discipline or pressure.
- keine zehn Pferde — nothing could force or move one; obstinate refusal or immovable determination.
- 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.