German idioms are an important part of everyday German. They come up all the time in both written and spoken German. Because idioms don’t always make sense literally, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the meaning and usage of each idiom. That may seem like a lot of work, but learning idioms is fun, especially when you compare German idioms to the idioms in your own language.
Das ist ein Katzensprung
Literally: That’s a cat’s jump
English equivalent: It’s a stone’s throw away
Eine Extrawurst haben
Literally: to ask for an extra sausage
English equivalent: to ask for special treatment
Die Daumen drücken
Literally: to press the thumbs
English equivalent: to keep your fingers crossed
Himmel und Hölle in Bewegung setzen
Literally: to put heaven and hell in motion
English equivalent: to do whatever it takes to reach the goal
Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof
Literally: I only understand “train station.”
English equivalent: It’s all Greek to me
Wie seine Westentasche kennen
Literally: to know something like one’s waistcoat pocket
English equivalent: to know something like the back of one’s hand
Da liegt der Hund begraben
Literally: That’s where the dog is buried
English equivalent: That’s the heart of the matter
Du nimmst mich auf den Arm!
Literally: You’re taking me on your arm!
English equivalent: You’re pulling my leg!
Zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe schlagen
Literally: to kill two flies with one swat
English equivalent: to kill two birds with one stone
Ein Ohr abkauen
Literally: to chew someone’s ear off
English equivalent: to talk someone’s ear off
