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.
Er muss zu allem seinen Senf dazugeben
Literally: He must add his mustard to everything
English Equivalent: He must always give his two cents worth
Ein Fisch auf dem Trockenen
Literally: a fish on the dry English equivalent: a fish out of water
Fix und fertig sein
Literally: to be quick and ready English equivalent: to be exhausted
Weggehen wie warme Semmeln
Literally: go like warm rolls English equivalent: sell like hot cakes
Dumm wie Bohnenstroh
Literally: as dumb as a bean straw English equivalent: as thick as a brick
Man soll den Tag nicht vor dem Abend loben
Literally: Don’t praise the day before the evening. English equivalent: Don’t count your chicks before they hatch.
Schwein haben
Literally: to have a pig English equivalent: to be lucky
Klar wie Kloßbrühe
Literally: clear as dumpling broth English equivalent: crystal clear
Den Teufel an die Wand zu malen
Literally: to draw the devil on the wall English equivalent: to be overly pessimistic
Schlafen wie ein Murmeltier
Literally: sleep like a groundhog English equivalent: sleep like a log
Tomaten auf den Augen haben
Literally: to have tomatoes on one’s eyes English equivalent: to be oblivious to what is going around you
