Idioms with verbs are tiny scenes that show how Germans think and speak. This guide gathers frequent ones so you can sound natural and lively.
geben
The verb geben appears in many idioms about help, behavior, and value. Each phrase paints a quick picture of an action or attitude.
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machen
Idioms with machen cover moods, efforts, and roles. They often describe how someone acts or what they cause in a concrete way.
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sein
Expressions with sein usually signal states, roles, or evaluations. They tell you about identity, condition, or typical behavior.
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haben
Idioms with haben relate to needs, experiences, and sensations. They often frame things in terms of possession or unavoidable facts.
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nehmen
Phrases with nehmen highlight actions like accepting, causing, or valuing time and effort. They frequently appear in practical and social contexts.
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kommen
kommen shows up in idioms about origin, timing, and impact. These expressions often describe how things turn out or where they arise.
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gehen
Idioms with gehen relate to processes, possibilities, and everyday actions. They commonly appear in speech about plans and experiences.
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Additional Verbs
Other common verbs like laufen, ziehen, and halten also appear in idioms that add color and precision. Learning a few of these rounds out your toolkit.
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Summary
Verb idioms lock in typical ways of thinking and speaking for quick, vivid expression. Focus on a handful to make your German feel natural and fluent.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025