German Idioms and Expressions

Here are some German idioms and expressions you should know!

Some are hilarious and others have a historical background.

With these idioms you will also get to know German culture and you will pick up some important words and phrases.

Das Leben ist kein Ponyhof

The literal meaning: “Life is no pony farm“

However, the meaning is: “Life can be challenging!“

eine Extrawurst haben wollen

Have you heard this German idiom before?

The literal meaning is: “You can take poison on that” and it might seem a little grim, but it’s similar to the English phrase: “You can bet your life on that” which means you can be absolutely certain!

Du hast (doch) einen Vogel

The literal meaning is: “You have a bird.“

However, the German meaning is: “You are crazy” or “You’re nuts!”

Ich glaub mein Schwein pfeift

The literal meaning is: “I think my pig whistles.“

It can express indignation, astonishment, or amazement at something unbelievable.

(Sich fühlen wie) ein Fisch auf dem Trockenen

The literal meaning is: “(feeling like) a fish on the dry“

The German meaning is: “Feeling out of place; different to other people.“

Ich habe Schwein gehabt

Literally it means: “I’ve had a pig“

In German we use this idiom to say: “I was dead lucky“.

It is said that someone has “Schwein gehabt” if they have been lucky without having done anything themselves to earn it.

The origin of this saying is uncertain.

But we suspect that the idiom originated in the Middle Ages.

At that time, sometimes the worst in a competition was given a pig as a consolation prize. This made them look ridiculous, but they also got something valuable, because pigs were considered valuable at that time.

Sie spielt die beleidigte Leberwurst

The literal meaning is: “She is playing the insulted liver sausage.“

And the German meaning is: “She is sulking because she didn’t get
what she wanted.“

Schlafen wie ein Murmeltier

The literal meaning is: “Sleep like a marmot“

The German meaning is: “Sleep very deeply“

Guten Rutsch

The literal meaning is: “Have a good slide“

The German meaning is: “Have a good year“

Ich bin fix und fertig

The literal meaning is: “I’m quick and ready.“

The German meaning is: “I’m exhausted“.

Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof

Literally it means: “I only understand train station.“

And the German meaning is: “I don’t understand anything“.

Komm schon, spring über deinen Schatten

Literally it means: “Come on, jump over your shadow“

And the German meaning is: “Get out of your comfort zone!“.

Du nimmst mich auf den Arm!

Literally: “You’re taking
me on your arm!“

In German the meaning is: “You’re joking“.

Tomaten auf den Augen haben

Literally: “To have tomatoes
on one’s eyes“

In German the meaning is: “To be oblivious to what is going around you“.

Jetzt haben wir den Salat

Literally: “Now we have the salad“

In German the meaning is: “Now everything is a mess“.

Öl ins Feuer gießen

Literally: “Pour oil on the fire“

In German the meaning is: “to make a bad situation worse“.

Du gehst mir auf den Keks

Literally it means: “You’re walking on my cookie“

In German we use this idiom to say: “You’re annoying me“.

Ich habe einen Kater

Literally it means: “I have a male cat“

However, in German we also use this expression as an idiom to say that we have a hangover.

Da steppt der Bär

Literally it means: “The bear dances there“.

In German we use this idiom to say that it is or will be a good party.

Das ist mir Wurst

Literally it means: “This is sausage to me“

In German you say that “if you are indifferent or don’t care about something“.

Das ist ein Katzensprung

Literally, it means “that’s a cat’s jump“, but in German we use it to talk about
a place that’s close.

It is similar to “a stone’s throw away“

Wo sich Fuchs und Hase gute Nacht sagen

Literally it means: where fox and hare say goodnight to one another.

However, in German we also use this expression as an idiom to say a place is very far away.

It’s similar to saying “in the middle of nowhere” or “out in the sticks.”