IdiomNature
German
Germanzu Grabe tragen
Meaning: to bury or permanently give up on something such as a hope, plan, or wish.
Literally: To carry to the grave
Example: “Nach dem dritten Fehlversuch trugen sie den Plan zu Grabe.” — After the third failed attempt, they kissed the plan goodbye.
English equivalent: To kiss something goodbye
Equivalents in other languages
French: Faire son deuil de quelque chose Literally: To make one's mourning for something
English: kiss something goodbye
Origin: Literally to carry someone to the grave, as pallbearers do at a funeral. The phrase was later transferred to abstract things, a hope, a plan or a tradition, always keeping the sense of a final, unhappy end.
More German idioms
- aus dem Handgelenk done with ease and without much effort or advance preparation; offhand.
- ein Esel schimpft den andern Langohr A person criticizes another for the same fault they themselves possess.
- außer Rand und Band geraten To lose control and behave wildly or unruly.
- feucht hinter den Ohren Young, inexperienced, or naive.
- alles im grünen Bereich sein Everything is functioning well or is satisfactory.
- ein Liedchen singen können To have direct, personal knowledge of something through lived experience.
Explore another collection: Untranslatable Words
Words that capture a feeling or idea English needs a whole sentence for.
- Waldeinsamkeit The serene, faintly mystical feeling of being alone in the woods, at peace with nature.
- Backpfeifengesicht A face that is just begging to be slapped — someone so smug you can't help the urge.
- Schadenfreude The guilty little pleasure of taking satisfaction in someone else's misfortune.
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