Proverbs, idioms etc. Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

Er ist die Höflichkeit in Person.

A

Courtesy is his middle name.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Ich würde ihn mir vom Leibe halten.

A

I’d keep him at arm’s length.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Lass mich endlich in Ruhe!

A

Get off my back!

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Ich habe mit dir ein Hühnchen zu rupfen.

A

I’ve got a bone to pick with you.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Ich muss mir das von der Seele reden.

A

I must get this off my chest.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Ich stecke bis über beide Ohren in Arbeit.

A

I’m up to the eyes in work.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Er würde keinen Finger krumm machen, um uns zu helfen.

A

He wouldn’t raise a finger to help us.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Ich bin ganz schön ins Fettnäpfchen getreten.

A

I really put my foot in it.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Sie lebt seit einem halben Jahr von der Hand in den Mund.

A

She’s been living from hand to mouth these last six months.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Ich werde daraus nicht schlau.

A

I can’t make head or tail of it.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Ich konnte es nicht übers Herz bringen, ihr die Wahrheit zu sagen.

A

I couldn’t find it in my heart to tell her the truth.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Die Firma pfeift auf dem letzten Loch.

A

The company is on its last legs.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Sie geht mir schwer auf den Wecker.

A

She’s a real pain in the neck.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Er besaß die Frechheit, mich einen Geizhals zu nennen.

A

He had the nerve to call me a miser.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Wir haben einen Wahnsinnspreis bezahlt.

A

We paid through the nose.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Diese Bemerkung ist mir wirklich unter die Haut gegangen.

A

That remark really went under my skin.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Es liegt mir auf der Zunge.

A

It’s on the tip of my tongue.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Sie isst gern Süßigkeiten / ist ein Süßschnabel.

A

She’s got a sweet tooth.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Sei ein Schatz und fahr mich zum Bahnhof.

A

Be a gem and run me to the station.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Diese CD ist wirklich spitze.

A

This CD is a real gem.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Er hat eine raue Schale.

A

He’s a rough diamond.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Sie besaß die Unverfrorenheit, mir das ins Gesicht zu sagen.

A

Shehad the brass to say that to my face.

23
Q

Kommen wir zur Sache - wie viel wollen Sie?

A

Let’s get down to brass tacks - how much do you want?

24
Q

Als Sekretärinist sie Gold wert.

A

As a secretary, she’s worth her weight in gold.

25
Q

Er führte sich auf wie ein Elefant im Porzellanladen.

A

He behaved like a bull in a china shop.

26
Q

Warum den gleich grob werden?

A

No need to be rude.

27
Q

Meine Großmutter war ein zäher Typ - sie hat drei Männer überlebt.

A

My grandmother was a tough cookie - she buried three husbands.

30
Q

so mutig / tapfer wie ein Löwe

A

as brave as a lion

31
Q

emsig wie eine Biene / bienenfleißig

A

as busy as a bee

32
Q

schlau wie somst was

A

as clever as they make them

33
Q

kalt wie eine Hundeschnauze

A

as cold as charity

34
Q

seelenruhig

A

as cool as a cucumber

35
Q

schlau wie ein Fuchs

A

as cunning as a fox

36
Q

grundehrlich

A

as honest as the day is long

37
Q

lammfromm / sanft wie ein Lamm

A

as meek as a lamb

38
Q

ein sturer Bock

A

as stubborn as a mule

39
Q

so geduldig wie Hiob

A

as patient as Job

40
Q

stolz wie ein Pfau

A

as proud as a peacock

41
Q

dumm wie Bohnenstron

A

as thick as two planks

42
Q

scheu / schüchtern wie eine Maus

A

as timid as a mouse

43
Q

frech wie Oskar

A

as bold as brass

44
Q

Er spinnt ein bisschen.

A

He’s a bit of a nut.

45
Q

Du spinnst wohl.

A

You must be nuts.

46
Q

Sie ist total verrückt.

A

She’s as nutty as a fruitcake.

47
Q

Du hast ja ne Macke.

A

You’re a fruitcake.

48
Q

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:ApplyBreakingRules/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->

<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Normale Tabelle";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]-->

Er nahm kein Blatt vor den Mund.

A

He didn’t mince his words.

49
Q

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:ApplyBreakingRules/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->

<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Normale Tabelle";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]-->

Der Chef macht Hackflreisch aus mir / macht mich zur Schnecke, wenn er das hört.

A

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:ApplyBreakingRules/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->

<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Normale Tabelle";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]-->

The boss will make mincemeat of me if he hears that.

50
Q

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:ApplyBreakingRules/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->

<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Normale Tabelle";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]-->

Wir kamen vom Regen in die Traufe.

A

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:ApplyBreakingRules/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->

<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Normale Tabelle";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]-->

We fell / jumped out of the frying pan into the fire.

51
Q

Wir beschlossen, ihn in seinem eigenen Saft schmoren zu lassen.

A

We decided to let him stew in his own juice.

52
Q

Ich kann mir keinen Urlaub leisten – muss dafür sorgen, dass der Schornstein raucht.

A

I can’t afford a holiday – have to keep the pot / kettle boiling.

53
Q

Man hat uns ganz schön geschröpft.

A

We’ve been taken to the cleaner’s.

54
Q

Liebe auf den ersten Blick

A

love at first sight

55
Q

frisch wie der junge Morgen aussehen

A

look (as) fresh as a daisy

56
Q

Unsere Chancen sind gleich null.

A

Our chances are nil.

Our chances are zero.