Idioms & Expressions
Idioms give color and insight into a culture, so learning them helps you sound natural and understand native speakers better. This guide groups useful German idioms by theme for quick reference.
Time
Time idioms often use natural imagery and reflect attitudes about punctuality and the value of moments.
| German Word(s) | English Word(s) |
|---|---|
| die Zeit totschlagen | to kill time |
| Zeit ist Geld | time is money |
| im letzten Moment | at the last moment |
| Zeit vergeuden | to waste time |
Money
Money expressions reveal cultural views on wealth, thrift, and generosity, often with vivid metaphors.
| German Word(s) | English Word(s) |
|---|---|
| sein Geld zum Fenster hinauswerfen | to throw money out the window |
| einen guten Schnitt machen | to make a good cut / profit |
| Geldgeber | money giver / sponsor |
| Kassensturz machen | to take stock of the cash |
Food
Food idioms tap into everyday experiences and make expressions relatable and memorable.
| German Word(s) | English Word(s) |
|---|---|
| das ist nicht mein Bier | that's not my beer (not my problem) |
| Butter bei die Fische | butter with the fish (get to the point) |
| jemandem Honig ums Maul schmieren | to smear honey around someone's mouth (to flatter) |
| auf den Zahn fühlen | to feel the tooth (to investigate closely) |
Animals
Animal idioms are common in German and often convey character traits or situations with striking imagery.
| German Word(s) | English Word(s) |
|---|---|
| die Katze aus dem Sack lassen | to let the cat out of the bag |
| jemandem einen Bären aufbinden | to tie a bear to someone (to tell a tall tale) |
| ein schlauer Fuchs | a clever fox |
| wie Hund und Katze sein | to be like dog and cat (to quarrel) |
Weather
Weather expressions capture moods and unexpected events, making them useful for describing situations vividly.
| German Word(s) | English Word(s) |
|---|---|
| es gießt in Strömen | it's pouring buckets |
| unter die Haube kommen | to come under the hood (to get married) |
| ein Sturm im Wasserglas | a storm in a teacup |
| Sonnenschein haben | to have sunshine (to be lucky) |
Work
Work idioms reflect attitudes toward effort, success, and office dynamics, often with a humorous edge.
| German Word(s) | English Word(s) |
|---|---|
| am Ball bleiben | to stay on the ball |
| die Ärmel hochkrempeln | to roll up one's sleeves |
| seinen Hut nehmen | to take one's hat (to resign) |
| Pausenclown sein | to be the class clown (office joker) |
Summary
Idioms turn abstract ideas into memorable images, so practice them in context to internalize their meaning and usage. Pay attention to questions and comments from native speakers, as they often signal an idiom's nuance.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025