German-English Idioms
Idioms/Redewendungen • D
An annotated collection of idioms, sayings,
and proverbs in German
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Also see:
> Introduction to this glossary
> Idioms and Sayings: Contents
GLOSSARY GUIDE: To find an idiom, saying, or proverb, look for it alphabetically by key word or key phrase. Example: To find "Alles hat ein Ende, nur die Wurst hat zwei," you could look under "A" for "alles," "E" for "Ende," or "W" for "Wurst" (when the glossary is complete). All idioms or sayings are listed in German with an English translation. English in parentheses ( ) indicates the literal translation of an expression or proverb.
D
Dach (roof) > unter Dach und Fach
wrapped up, in the bag; signed, sealed, and delivered (under roof and frame)
Example: "Bis Ende Mai hoffen wir, das Projekt unter Dach und Fach zu haben." (We hope to have the project wrapped up by the end of May.)
Daumen drehen
to twiddle your thumbs
Daumen drücken!
Keep your fingers crossed! (press your thumbs)
Examples: "Ich drücke dir die Daumen." (I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.) - "Drücke mir die Daumen!" (Keep your fingers crossed for me!)
Decke (blanket) > sich nach der Decke strecken
to make ends meet, to live within one's means (stretch out under the blanket)
Example: "Wir müssen uns nach der Decke strecken." (We have to live within our means.)
Decke (blanket) > (mit jemandem) unter einer Decke stecken
to be in cahoots (with someone), work hand in glove together (with someone) (be under one blanket)
Denkzettel (think-note) > jemandem einen Denkzettel verpassen
to give someone something to think about, teach someone a lesson (give a think-note)
Example: "Wenn er das wieder mal macht, werde ich ihm einen Denkzettel verpassen." (If he does that again, I'll give him something to think about.)
Deutsch (German) > auf gut Deutsch
in plain language, putting it plainly (in good German)
doch (however) > Lass (es) doch!
Don't bother! Forget it! (leave it)
More: Doch! …and Other Tricky Words - All about particles in German!
Donner (thunder) > wie vom Donner gerührt dastehen
to be thunderstruck, stand there thunderstruck
Dorf (village) > die Kirche im Dorf lassen
not go too far, not get carried away (leave the church in the village)
Example: "Er soll die Kirche im Dorf lassen." (He shouldn't get carried away.)
Dörfer (villages) > Das sind mir bömische/spanische Dörfer.
It's Greek to me. (...Bohemian/Spanish villages)
dort, wo sich die Füchse gute Nacht sagen
out in the middle of nowhere, in the back of beyond (where the foxes say good night)
Draht (wire) > auf Draht sein
to be on the ball; know your stuff
Draht > einen guten Draht zu jemandem haben
to have good connections to someone, be on good terms with someone
Dreck am Stecken haben
to have a skeleton in the closet
Dreck (dirt, mud) > den Karren in den Dreck fahren
to ruin things, make a mess of things
Dreck > Der Karren steckt im Dreck.
Things/They are really in a mess.
drücken (press, push) > Wo drückt es dich denn?
What's on your mind? What's bothering you? (Where is it pressing you?)
dumm wie Bohnenstroh
dumb as a post, dense, thick as a brick (dumb as bean straw)
Variations: "dumm wie Brot" (dumb as bread) - "dumm wie eine Gans" (dumb as a goose)
dumm (dumb) > dümmer als die Polizei erlaubt
as dumb as it gets, as dumb as they come ("dumber than the police allow")
dumm > jemanden für dumm verkaufen
to take someone for a fool/idiot (sell someone for dumb)
Examples: "Willst du mich für dumm verkaufen?" (Do you [want to] take me for a fool?) - "Ich lasse mich von ihm doch nicht für dumm verkaufen." (I'm not going to just let him take me for a fool.)
dumm > sich dumm und dämmlich reden
to talk until one is blue in the face
Dummheit (stupidity) > Gegen Dummheit gibt es keine Pillen.
There's no cure for stupidity. ("no pills for stupidity")
Dummheit > Mach bloß keine Dummheiten!
Just don't do anything stupid.
Dummheit > Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens.
Against stupidity the gods themselves struggle in vain. (Friedrich Schiller, Die Jungfrau von Orleans)
durch dick und dünn gehen
go through thick and thin
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MORE > Idioms and Sayings: Contents
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Idioms and Sayings: Contents
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