{ "name": "German C2 Idioms & Collocations", "front_language": "German", "back_language": "English", "cards": [ { "front": "jemandem das Wasser abgraben", "back": "to cut the ground from under someone", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Der Discounter gräbt den Fachhändlern das Wasser ab.", "example_back": "The discounter is cutting the ground from under specialist shops." }, { "front": "etwas auf die leichte Schulter nehmen", "back": "to take something lightly", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Man darf die Warnung nicht auf die leichte Schulter nehmen.", "example_back": "You mustn't take the warning lightly." }, { "front": "sich etwas aus den Fingern saugen", "back": "to make something up", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Diese Zahlen hat er sich aus den Fingern gesogen.", "example_back": "He made those figures up." }, { "front": "jemandem nach dem Mund reden", "back": "to tell someone what they want to hear", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Er redet immer dem Chef nach dem Mund.", "example_back": "He always tells the boss what he wants to hear." }, { "front": "den Bock zum Gärtner machen", "back": "to put the fox in charge of the henhouse", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Ihn zum Datenschutzbeauftragten zu machen, heißt den Bock zum Gärtner machen.", "example_back": "Making him data-protection officer is putting the fox in charge of the henhouse." }, { "front": "mit dem Klammerbeutel gepudert sein", "back": "to be off one's rocker", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Bist du mit dem Klammerbeutel gepudert?", "example_back": "Are you out of your mind?" }, { "front": "etwas über den grünen Klee loben", "back": "to praise to the skies", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Die Kritiker loben das Buch über den grünen Klee.", "example_back": "Critics praise the book to the skies." }, { "front": "jemandem die Leviten lesen", "back": "to read someone the riot act", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Die Chefin hat ihm die Leviten gelesen.", "example_back": "The boss read him the riot act." }, { "front": "Krokodilstränen vergießen", "back": "to shed crocodile tears", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Er vergießt Krokodilstränen über die Entlassungen.", "example_back": "He's shedding crocodile tears over the layoffs." }, { "front": "auf dem Teppich bleiben", "back": "to stay down to earth", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Bleib auf dem Teppich, wir haben noch nicht gewonnen.", "example_back": "Stay grounded, we haven't won yet." }, { "front": "jemandem Sand in die Augen streuen", "back": "to throw dust in someone's eyes", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Die Firma streut den Anlegern Sand in die Augen.", "example_back": "The company is throwing dust in investors' eyes." }, { "front": "etwas unter den Teppich kehren", "back": "to sweep something under the rug", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Der Skandal wurde unter den Teppich gekehrt.", "example_back": "The scandal was swept under the rug." }, { "front": "die Flinte ins Korn werfen", "back": "to throw in the towel", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Nach der Niederlage warf er die Flinte ins Korn.", "example_back": "After the defeat he threw in the towel." }, { "front": "sich mit Ruhm bekleckern", "back": "to cover oneself in glory (usu. ironic)", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Mit dieser Antwort hat er sich nicht mit Ruhm bekleckert.", "example_back": "He didn't exactly cover himself in glory with that answer." }, { "front": "das Haar in der Suppe suchen", "back": "to look for faults / to nitpick", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Er sucht immer das Haar in der Suppe.", "example_back": "He always looks for something to criticize." }, { "front": "zwischen Baum und Borke stecken", "back": "to be between a rock and a hard place", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Die SPD steckt zwischen Baum und Borke.", "example_back": "The SPD is between a rock and a hard place." }, { "front": "mit harten Bandagen kämpfen", "back": "to play hardball", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Im Wahlkampf wird mit harten Bandagen gekämpft.", "example_back": "The campaign is being fought with no holds barred." }, { "front": "jemanden in die Pfanne hauen", "back": "to drop someone in it / to betray", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Sein Partner hat ihn in die Pfanne gehauen.", "example_back": "His partner dropped him in it." }, { "front": "aus dem Nähkästchen plaudern", "back": "to spill the inside story", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Der Ex-Minister plaudert aus dem Nähkästchen.", "example_back": "The ex-minister is spilling inside stories." }, { "front": "etwas aufs Tapet bringen", "back": "to bring something up", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Er brachte das Thema erneut aufs Tapet.", "example_back": "He brought the topic up again." }, { "front": "auf keine Kuhhaut gehen", "back": "to be beyond belief", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Was sie sich erlaubt, geht auf keine Kuhhaut.", "example_back": "What she gets away with is beyond belief." }, { "front": "jemandem den Rang ablaufen", "back": "to outstrip someone", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Das Smartphone hat der Kamera den Rang abgelaufen.", "example_back": "The smartphone has outstripped the camera." }, { "front": "ins Fettnäpfchen treten", "back": "to put one's foot in it", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Der Botschafter trat ins Fettnäpfchen.", "example_back": "The ambassador put his foot in it." }, { "front": "etwas im Schilde führen", "back": "to be up to something", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Ich weiß nicht, was er im Schilde führt.", "example_back": "I don't know what he's up to." }, { "front": "der Elefant im Raum", "back": "the elephant in the room", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Die Rentenfrage ist der Elefant im Raum.", "example_back": "The pension question is the elephant in the room." }, { "front": "Tabula rasa machen", "back": "to wipe the slate clean", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "collocations" ], "example_front": "Die neue Chefin machte Tabula rasa.", "example_back": "The new boss wiped the slate clean." }, { "front": "ein Damoklesschwert", "back": "a sword of Damocles", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "literary" ], "example_front": "Die Klage schwebt wie ein Damoklesschwert über der Firma.", "example_back": "The lawsuit hangs over the company like a sword of Damocles." }, { "front": "die Büchse der Pandora öffnen", "back": "to open Pandora's box", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "literary" ], "example_front": "Mit dem Urteil öffnet man die Büchse der Pandora.", "example_back": "The ruling opens Pandora's box." }, { "front": "den Rubikon überschreiten", "back": "to cross the Rubicon", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "literary" ], "example_front": "Mit dem Austritt hat er den Rubikon überschritten.", "example_back": "By leaving he crossed the Rubicon." }, { "front": "der gordische Knoten", "back": "the Gordian knot", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "literary" ], "example_front": "Die Reform soll den gordischen Knoten durchschlagen.", "example_back": "The reform aims to cut the Gordian knot." }, { "front": "die Achillesferse", "back": "Achilles' heel", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "literary" ], "example_front": "Die Energieversorgung ist die Achillesferse.", "example_back": "Energy supply is the Achilles' heel." }, { "front": "nach Canossa gehen", "back": "to eat humble pie", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "literary" ], "example_front": "Der Minister musste nach Canossa gehen.", "example_back": "The minister had to eat humble pie." }, { "front": "eulen nach Athen tragen", "back": "to carry coals to Newcastle", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "literary" ], "example_front": "Ihm Statistik zu erklären hieße Eulen nach Athen tragen.", "example_back": "Explaining statistics to him would be carrying coals to Newcastle." }, { "front": "Stein und Bein schwören", "back": "to swear blind", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Er schwört Stein und Bein, dass er unschuldig ist.", "example_back": "He swears blind he's innocent." }, { "front": "ins Hintertreffen geraten", "back": "to fall behind", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "collocations" ], "example_front": "Europa gerät bei der KI ins Hintertreffen.", "example_back": "Europe is falling behind on AI." }, { "front": "zum Tragen kommen", "back": "to come into effect / to come into play", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "collocations" ], "example_front": "Die neue Regel kommt erst 2027 zum Tragen.", "example_back": "The new rule only comes into effect in 2027." }, { "front": "in Abrede stellen", "back": "to deny", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "collocations" ], "example_front": "Er stellte jede Beteiligung in Abrede.", "example_back": "He denied any involvement." }, { "front": "zu Protokoll geben", "back": "to put on record", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "collocations" ], "example_front": "Die Zeugin gab zu Protokoll, nichts gesehen zu haben.", "example_back": "The witness stated for the record she saw nothing." }, { "front": "Vorschub leisten", "back": "to encourage / to abet", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "collocations" ], "example_front": "Das Gesetz leistet der Korruption Vorschub.", "example_back": "The law encourages corruption." }, { "front": "in Mitleidenschaft ziehen", "back": "to affect adversely", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "collocations" ], "example_front": "Der Sturm zog die Ernte in Mitleidenschaft.", "example_back": "The storm damaged the harvest." }, { "front": "Rechnung tragen", "back": "to take into account", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "collocations" ], "example_front": "Die Reform trägt dem demografischen Wandel Rechnung.", "example_back": "The reform takes demographic change into account." }, { "front": "etwas ad absurdum führen", "back": "to reduce to absurdity", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "collocations" ], "example_front": "Das Urteil führt das Gesetz ad absurdum.", "example_back": "The ruling reduces the law to absurdity." }, { "front": "die Gunst der Stunde nutzen", "back": "to seize the moment", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "collocations" ], "example_front": "Die Opposition nutzte die Gunst der Stunde.", "example_back": "The opposition seized the moment." }, { "front": "Lunte riechen", "back": "to smell a rat", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Die Ermittler haben Lunte gerochen.", "example_back": "The investigators smelled a rat." }, { "front": "auf Biegen und Brechen", "back": "by hook or by crook", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Er will den Vertrag auf Biegen und Brechen durchsetzen.", "example_back": "He wants to push the deal through by hook or by crook." }, { "front": "mit Kanonen auf Spatzen schießen", "back": "to use a sledgehammer to crack a nut", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Ein Verbot wäre mit Kanonen auf Spatzen geschossen.", "example_back": "A ban would be using a sledgehammer to crack a nut." }, { "front": "in Teufels Küche kommen", "back": "to get into hot water", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Mit diesen Aussagen kommt er in Teufels Küche.", "example_back": "With those statements he'll get into hot water." }, { "front": "jemandem das Heft aus der Hand nehmen", "back": "to take control away from someone", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Der Aufsichtsrat nahm dem Vorstand das Heft aus der Hand.", "example_back": "The supervisory board took control from management." }, { "front": "wie die Axt im Walde", "back": "like a bull in a china shop", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "Er benimmt sich wie die Axt im Walde.", "example_back": "He behaves like a bull in a china shop." }, { "front": "Wer A sagt, muss auch B sagen.", "back": "in for a penny, in for a pound", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "proverbs" ], "example_front": "Wir haben angefangen – wer A sagt, muss auch B sagen.", "example_back": "We've started: in for a penny, in for a pound." }, { "front": "Hochmut kommt vor dem Fall.", "back": "pride comes before a fall", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "proverbs" ], "example_front": "Er war zu sicher – Hochmut kommt vor dem Fall.", "example_back": "He was too sure: pride comes before a fall." }, { "front": "Steter Tropfen höhlt den Stein.", "back": "constant dripping wears away the stone", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "proverbs" ], "example_front": "Bleib dran: steter Tropfen höhlt den Stein.", "example_back": "Keep at it: persistence pays off." }, { "front": "Wes Brot ich ess, des Lied ich sing.", "back": "he who pays the piper calls the tune", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "proverbs" ], "example_front": "Der Gutachter ist von der Industrie bezahlt – wes Brot ich ess…", "example_back": "The expert is paid by industry: he who pays the piper…" }, { "front": "Der Ton macht die Musik.", "back": "it's not what you say but how you say it", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "proverbs" ], "example_front": "Du hast recht, aber der Ton macht die Musik.", "example_back": "You're right, but it's how you say it." }, { "front": "Viele Köche verderben den Brei.", "back": "too many cooks spoil the broth", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "proverbs" ], "example_front": "Zehn Leute im Projekt? Viele Köche verderben den Brei.", "example_back": "Ten people on the project? Too many cooks." }, { "front": "Getroffene Hunde bellen.", "back": "a hit dog will holler", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "proverbs" ], "example_front": "Er regt sich so auf – getroffene Hunde bellen.", "example_back": "He's so upset: the truth hurts." }, { "front": "Den Letzten beißen die Hunde.", "back": "devil take the hindmost", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "proverbs" ], "example_front": "Wer zu spät kommt, hat Pech – den Letzten beißen die Hunde.", "example_back": "Latecomers lose out: devil take the hindmost." }, { "front": "Wo gehobelt wird, da fallen Späne.", "back": "you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "proverbs" ], "example_front": "Die Reform trifft einige – wo gehobelt wird, fallen Späne.", "example_back": "The reform hurts some: you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs." }, { "front": "Gut Ding will Weile haben.", "back": "good things take time", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "proverbs" ], "example_front": "Geduld – gut Ding will Weile haben.", "example_back": "Patience: good things take time." }, { "front": "Wer im Glashaus sitzt, sollte nicht mit Steinen werfen.", "back": "people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "proverbs" ], "example_front": "Ausgerechnet er kritisiert? Wer im Glashaus sitzt…", "example_back": "Him of all people criticizing? People in glass houses…" } ] }