German idioms vocabulary C1 · Advanced
Common German idioms that do not translate word for word. Learn each one with its meaning and an example sentence.
This set has 15 words. Study them as a list or as flashcards in the app, and mark each word once you know it.
How to use these words
Idioms do not translate word for word. Learn each one with its meaning and a situation in which it is used.
Example sentences
- Das ist nicht mein Bier. – That is not my concern. (idiom: not my business)
- Ich drücke dir die Daumen! – I am keeping my fingers crossed for you!
- Er hat einen Vogel. – He is crazy. (idiom)
Word list
- Das ist mir Wurst – I don't care
- Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof – it's all Greek to me
- Daumen drücken – to keep fingers crossed
- Tomaten auf den Augen haben – to be oblivious
- Schwein haben – to be lucky
- jemandem auf die Nerven gehen – to get on someone's nerves
- den Nagel auf den Kopf treffen – to hit the nail on the head
- Hals- und Beinbruch – break a leg
- Das ist nicht mein Bier – that's not my business
- ins Fettnäpfchen treten – to put one's foot in it
- die Katze im Sack kaufen – to buy a pig in a poke
- zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe schlagen – to kill two birds with one stone
- um den heißen Brei herumreden – to beat around the bush
- auf dem Schlauch stehen – to be slow on the uptake
- Pech gehabt – tough luck