HANDBOOK
OF
GERMAN IDIOMS
M. B. LAMBERT
Richmond Hill High School, New York City
NEW YORK
HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY
1910
IN MEMORIAM
Copyright,
1910,
HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY
PREFACE
This collection of German idioms is presented in the hope
that it will prove helpful to teachers and students of the language,
and that it may contribute in a modest way toward making the
sentence rather than the word the unit of treatment in the study
and acquisition of the language. The German language is full
of idioms, the meaning of which is poorly grasped by the student,
because he never becomes liberated from the individual word.
The idioms have been compiled in large part from the Muret-
Sanders Encyklopädisches Wörterbuch^ from the Flügel-Schmidt-
Tanger Wörterbuch der Englischen und Deutschen Sprache, and
from Hetzel's Wie der Deutsche spricht. Various considerations
prohibit even an approach to completeness. The same con-
siderations forbid the use in most instances of more than one
English meaning, although many of the idioms, especially those
of everyday conversation, have a variety of finely shaded mean-
ings depending upon the connotation and intonation. Only
occasional use has been made of the vast treasury of proverbs
and popular quotations in the language. The alphabetical
arrangement according to key-words, while open to objections,
presents itself on the whole as the most practicable.
926692
GERMAN IDIOMS
91
3Ser 31 fagt, mug and) 58 fagen.
515 (==3el)t ah, gel)en ab),
^om 1. 3anuar ah wirb bie
3)hete erl)ö^t.
^r fommt ab unb ^u. (Cf. Sr
fd^retbt bann unb lüann. (Sr
iam f)in unb trieber).
(5r ift ba^ SlBMlb (öon) feiner
abutter.
dv ift aügebli^t
(Sr brad) furj ttb.
(Sie fi^en nod) auf ber 51^6;=
bant
(5^ briicft mir ba^ gerg ab*
e^ ift nod) nid)t alter ^age
5lbenb.
(56 ift ein Hbcr babei.
(go laffe \6) mic^ nid)t abfcrti^^
gen,
Qdj gebe mic^ nid)t mit fofdien
Lenten ah.
^er ^rief ift mir ab^nbcn ge*
fommen.
^ev ahf}Qhi, gibt nic^t.
In for a penny, in for a pound.
Exit (exeunt).
From the ist of January the
rent will be raised.
He comes now and then.-— '—
He is the very image of his
mother.
He was rebuffed.
He stopped short."--. ^
They are still beginners.
It breaks my heart.' — -^
Don't crow too soon. He laughs
best who laughs last.
There is a but in the matter.
I will not be put off like this.
I have nothing to do with such ,
people.
I have mislaid (lost) the letter.
The person who cuts does not
deal.
2 GERMAN IDIOMS
(5^ tft eine aBgcfartctc Sad)e* It is a put-up job.
Qd) tann I)eute nidjt abfommen. I can't get away (off) to-day.
T)ie U^r ift aBntcIaufcm The clock has lun down.
■^? ;' ?öie toirb tia^; rrMiiufctt ? How will this turn out ?
' ''Jicgeit (^ie gefälUgft- ah ! Take off your things.
'. ' . ;5lj^gfemai^t;!, , '{(^i, Zvpp !)* Done. Agreed.
'^er äJlonb nimmt ab. The moon is on the wane.
!DaÖ ift gegen Ut 5l6rcbc. That is contrary to our agree-
ment.
Diefe 3Baren finben einen guten These goods meet with a brisk
5l(ifa^. demand.
!Da^ (Snbe ift nid)t abjufc^cn. There is no telling where it
will end.
(Sie fie^t i^m atteö an hen %n^ She anticipates his every wish.
gen ab.
(2ie fc^en e§ auf Komplimente You are fishing for compli-
ah. ments.
(Sr !ommt in ber 5lbfid)t, um ^U He comes with the intention of
lernen. learning.
Wlan fpcifte i^n mit leeren 2Bor^ He was put off with fine
ten ab, speeches.
Wlan tann il)m Xaknt nicf)t ab- Nobody can deny his talent.
\pndjtn.
2Bir tnerben 3^l)nen einen lur^en We shall pay you a brief visit.-
:^efui^ abftattcn.
3öir machen einen Keinen 5lb= We are making a little side-
fter^cr nac^ . . . (Cf. SSir ma= trip to . . .
cf)en einen 5luaf(urj auf ha<i
l^anb). \
'Man mtc§ ifjU furj ab. He was dismissed without cer-
emony.
T)a^ Vd^t fief) an htn gingern ah* That is clear as day,. ,i^
jagten»
GERMAN IDIOMS
dv fdjvie 5l(^ unb Set),
@ib ad^t, ma^ ic^ bir fage!
D^imm bid) in aä}t\
§eute über a(^t Xage ift 3Seit)^
nackten.
(Sie ()aben it)m jur 3lbcr gelaffen.
'^ e^ ift leine gnte Slbcr an it)m.
(Cf. (5^ ift fein gute^ §oar
an if)m. ©^ ift fein guter go*
bcu an i^m).
or t)at ficQ einen ^ilffen gefanft.
(Sr fiel)t fid) nid)t inel)r ä^nlic^.
T)ie euppe (-gutter) ift atte,
(Sr fam in aöer grüf)e.
(S^ ift mir aüe^ ein«. (Cf. ß«
ift mir einerlei T)a^ ift mir
SSurft).
(2ie ift atterliebft.
«Sie molfen alfo nic^t?
(5« bleibt beim 2(Itett.
33Mn fie{)t if)m fein 5llter nid)t
an.
(Sr ift im fd)önften 5l(tcr, (Cf.
@ie finb nod) in 3^ren beften
Sauren).
23or altera mar ba« anber«.
9lm menigften foltte man (ügen.
3:ue, tüa^ beine§ 5lmtc§ ift.
X;a« ift nid)t meine« 5lmte§.
S3on je^t an muß e« anber« ge^en.
'^a fittitbclt fic^ lüa« an.
He made a great outcry.
Mark what I tell you.
Look out.
This day week is Christmas.
They have bled him.
He is absolutely worthless.
He has a jag on.
He is not like the same person.
There is no more soup (butter).
He came very early in the
morning.
It is all the same to me.
She is most charming.-
You w^on't, eh?
Things remain as they were.
He does not look his age.
He is in his best years.
In olden times it was different.
Least of all should one lie.
Do your duty.
That is no concern of mine.-^-
From this day forth things
must go differently.
There is a love affair begin-
ning.
GERMAN IDIOMS
T^er \)at fic^ einen ^ciren ange=
(unbem
(gr tft !urj ottgcBuitbctt*
(5in^ tnö aitbcre gerechnet, marf)t
ba^ ®an3e ^e^n dJlaxt
Unter anbcrem fagte er.
(Sie fanten einer nm benanbcrett.
Sag bu nic^t tüillft, ha^ man bir
tn', bag füg' and) feinem on^
berit ^n.
a^ lägt fic^ nic^t ättbern,
®ef(^e!)ene^inge finb nic^t me^r
^n änbcrti.
T)ie (Sad)e lief anberS ab, aU icf)
ernjartet.
^a« ift nnn einmal' nic^t onberS,
^r t)at fi^ anbcr§ begonnen,
(är ift ie^t njo anbcrö,
!^ag cfelt mic^ an»
Sr fu^r it)n gehörig an,
3cft n)etg nic^t, lüie id) einen 5ln«
fang ma(f)en folL
5Bag fod id) anfangen?
3d) !ann mit i^m ntd^t^ anfan«
gen.
Tlan meig ni(^t, lüo man i^n an-
faffctt foil
?a6 bic^ bag nit^t anfeii^tctt !
^er lägt fic^ nid)t fo lei(^t an«
führen»
He has run into debt.
He is blunt (gruff).
All together it amounts to ten
marks.
Among other things he said.
They came one after another.
Do unto others as you would
have them do unto you.
It can't be helped.
There is no use crying over
spilt milk.
It turned out differently from
what I expected.
It's so and cannot be helped.
(5^nn einmal ^ivds force of
last four words).
He has changed his mind.
He is somewhere else now.
I am disgusted with this.-=— ^-^
He talked to him like a Dutch
uncle.
I do not know how to begin.
What shall I do ?
I can do nothing with him.
He is a difficult man to deal-
with.
Don't mind that.
He is not so easily taken in.
GERMAN IDIOMS
dr gibt fic^ für einen 'äx^t an.
(Cf. ($r Qtht \\d) für einen
5^il:^ter am).
T)a§> ge^t mid) nid)tö an* (Cf.
5öa^ belümmcrt bid) ba^?).
9D^ir tüirb angft urn il)n.
I Sarum ^Itft bn an?
* dr ^It nm ha^ SD^äbdien am
^aö (Bind \)at njenig Slnflang
gefnnben.
(Sr fam mit bem ö^U^r-^ug an.
(gr tommt gnt an.
'^a tft er fd)(erf)t angcfommcn.
(g^ fommt baranf an. (Cf. ge
nac^ ben Umftänben).
@ö fommt nur auf (Sie an.
(So foil mir auf eine ^(einigfeit
nic^t anfommcn.
SBolIen Sie eö barauf ankommen
raffen?
(gr gab 5lnlaft jum 3:abeL
(5r ^at fein ®elb gut angelegt.
(S^ n)ar barauf angelegt, micb 3U
reiben.
($r ma^t fid) ^u t»iet an.
eingenommen, e« fei maljr.
(gö mirb it)m aU ein geiler an^
gerechnet.
T)a ^aben Sie n)a6 Schöne« an*
geratet!
He claims to be a physician.
That is none of my business.
I begin to tremble for him.
Why are you stopping?
He is proposing to the girl.
The play proved a failure.
He arrived on the 5 o'clock
train.
He is succeeding well.
He has met with a fine recep-
tion (iron.).
That depends."" /
It all depends upon your"^'
I shall not stand on a trifle. -
Will you risk it?
He laid himself open to criti-
cism.
He has invested his money
well.
It was intended to anger me.
He presumes too much.
Supposing it to be true.
It is charged against him as a
mistake.
A pretty mess you have made
of it 1
6
GERMAN IDIOMS
3d) ^atte mir fd)on a((e§ angc=
frfiafft
^er §unb frf|%t att,
(gie frf|lrtgctt ba? ^u ^oc^ an.
T)a^ ^at attgcfcfjlagcn»
(vr ift bet feinen 33orgefe^ten gut
angcft^riekn.
^d) fann eö i^m anfc^cn*
@r fte^t eg al^ feine ^f(id)t an.
@r ift fe^r ttitgcfe^cn.
Gr gibt fic^ ein ^Infe^en.
^ei ©Ott gilt lein 5lnfc^eu ber
^erfon,
2öie ^od) fc^en (Sie bag ®runb^
ftitcf an?
T)ag aj^effer fc^t D^oft an.
Qd) bin nid)t 3t)rer 5lnftd)t.
T)arüber fann man nerfd)iebener
5lnf{(^t fein,
t'affen Sie anf^annen !
(Sr mad)t gro^e 5lnf^rürf|c.
(Sr ma^t 5lnf^rnc^ auf alle§.
8ie \)at feinen 5lnftanb.
'Dag ftc^t mir nid)t on.
liefer ^od ftcfjt ^^^inen gut on.
3d) ftc^e on, e§ ^u tun.
(gr ift in einem ^anf^aufe ongc=
fiettt.
SKag ^aft bu trieber ongcftcttt ?
Stctt^ bic^ nic^t fo bumm on !
(5r fttmntt immer trieber bie atte
?eier on. (Cf. (5§ ift immer
lüieber bie aitt Sctcr)*
I had already provided myself
with everything.
The dog begins to bark.
You rate this too high.
That proved effectual.
He is well spoken of by his su-
periors.
I can tell (it) from his looks.
He considers it his duty.
He is highly respected.
He puts on airs.
God is no respecter of persons.
At what figure do you hold this
lot?
The knife is getting rusty.
I am not of your opinion.-
That is a matter of opinion.
Have the carriage ready.
He makes great pretensions.
He claims everything.
She has no breeding.
I do not like this.
This coat fits you well.
I hesitate to do it.
He is employed in a bank.
What have you been up to
again ? [so stupid.
Don't act the fool. Don't be
He is always harping on the
same old string.
GERMAN IDIOMS
(vr ^Qt 5lttfto§ genommen.
Stolen ^ie an !
^en Tag ftrctt^c id) rot tm ^a^
(enber an»
T)er fleine ^rucf ftrengt bie 5lu^
gen an.
(5r gibt fic^ einen geleljrten Hit«
ftrtc^,
3:(i) mug mir ©emalt antun»
Xnn0it mir ^a^ nid)t an!
3Ötr finb auf ein 31«^^^^ ««9^=
micfcn.
3tc^cn «Sie fic^ fd)nell an !
!l;er 3l^fcl fällt nid)t meit oom
(Stamm.
(5r fd)i(fte mid) in ben 3l)iri(.
©e^en Sie an bie 9lr6cit !
5lrbcit mac^t ba§ !^eben füB-
:Da§ ift benn bod) 3U arg.
:^ae Sirgftc fommt nod).
(Sr ^t fic^ barüber geärgert.
Sir njotlen i^m unter bie 5lrme
greifen.
3lrmut fc^änbet nid)t.
(5r ift au^ ber 3lrt gefd)Iagen.
Sie fingt, ha^ e§ eine 5lrt I)at.
T)a^ ift fo feine 5lrt.
5Sögel oon berfelben 5lrt fatten
3ufammen.
(5r ift auger 3ltcm.
.?)o(en Sie tief 5ltcm !
(5r ift ein 1)eutfc^er ; id) auc^'.
^r gel)t nid)t ; id) auc^' nid)t.
He was offended.
Clink glasses.
I will make this a red-letter
day.
Small print is trying to the
eyes.
He assumes a learned air.
It costs me a hard struggle.
Spare me this humiliation.
We are limited to one room»
Dress quickly.
He is a chip of the old block, ly'
He sent me on a fool's errand.
Go to work.
No sweet without sweat.
That is going too far.
The worst is yet to come.
He was put out about it.
Let us lend him a hand.
It is no disgrace to be poor.
He is an unworthy scion.
She sings wonderfully well.
That's his way.
Birds of a feather flock to-
gether.
He is out of breath.
Draw a deep breath.
He is a German ; so am I.
He is not going; neither am I.
8
GERMAN IDIOMS
(Stnb (Sie anä}' ^ier?
3ft e§ an^ fo?
§aft bu ben iörief anä) ah^tc^t^
ben?
Senn er anä^ nod) fo gro^ tft,
tc^ ftrafe t^n bod).
Sie bem anä} fein mag.
£)l)ne an^ nnr gn fragen.
„Sie I)aben ein fd)öne^ §an«
^ier." „a^ \)at and} genng
gebftet."
ly- 30^eine (Sd)n)efter lüar auf bem
^aüe.
harten (Sie auf mid)!
5luf meiner U^r ift e^ nenn U^r.
-3d) l^abt ba^ 3^^^^^ <^"f ^i^^'
Sod)en gemietet.
dv gel)t auf D^^eifen.
Qd) tarn um ein 3Sierte( auf ^e^n
an.
a^ gel)t auf nenn,
^r !am auf bie SJZinnte.
3c^ ging auf feine ^itte.
Sie l)eifn ha^ auf ^Dentfd)?
Qii) lüerbe auf {eben gall mor^
gen abreifen.
^ae l^at nichts auf fi^.
3(i^len Sie öon nnten auf !
53on !lein auf irar er fränflid).
'Die Zixv ift auf.
m^ä) auf!
^r ge^t im (garten auf nnb ab.
Are you here too?
Is it really so?
Are you sure you delivered the
letter ?
No matter how big he is, I will
punish him anyhow
However that may be. Be that
as it may.
Without so much as asking.
"You have a beautiful house
here." " It ought to be, it
cost enough."
My sister was at the ball.
Wait for me.
It is nine o'clock by my watch.
I have rented the room for four
weeks.
He is going on a trip.
I arrived at quarter after nine.
It is going on nine.
He came on the minute.
I went at his request.
What is this called in German?
I will leave to-morrow at all
events.
That is of no consequence.
Count from the bottom up.
He was sickly from childhood.
The door is open.
Come on! Courage!
He is walking back and forth
in the garden.
GERMAN IDIOMS
9
(Jr ging bergauf, bergab,
(vr tt.)ä()Ite auf^ @erateH)o()L
Sir I)aben ein ß^ercitium auf»
bdommcu»
Gr bietet alle feine Gräfte auf.
Qv Iäj3t fid) nüe^ aufbiubeu.
X)a^ biube einem anbern auf!
(Cf. ^a^ mac^ctt (Sie anbern
Juci§ !)
Söie foK man ba^3 ®elb basu
aufbriugcu ?
(Jr ift reid)t aufzubringen.
Ser I)at biefe 2}^obe aufgebracht?
3el)n 9J2innten 5(ufcnt^|a(t.
T)a^ ift mir aufgefaßen.
(Sie faffen meine Sßorte falfd)
auf.
1)av\ \6) Sie aufforbcru, mein
gräulein?
(5r fü^rt fic^ f^tec^t auf.
§an§ mac^t feine 5(ufgabcu.
§aben Sie bie :Q3riefe aufgegc«
Un?
(5ö gc^t mir ein Sic^t auf.
Saö ^abctt lüir I)eute auf?
Qd) f)aUt mic^ im greien auf.
§ör auf!
T)a f\M alles auf!
Qd) bin nid^t baju aufgelegt,
^ad^ett Sie bie ^ür auf !
S^ h)il( Sie baranf aufmcrffam
mad)en, bag . . .
He went up hill and down dale.
He chose at random.
The teacher has given us an
exercise.
He is doing his utmost.
Anything will go down with
him.
Tell that to the marines.
How are we to raise the money
for this purpose ?
He is easily angered.
Who introduced this fashion ?
Ten minutes for refreshments.
That attracted my attention.
You put a wrong construction
on my words.
May I have the pleasure of the
next dance with you, Miss X?
He behaves badly.
John is doing his home-work.
Did you mail the letters ?
Now I understand. I see.
What is the lesson for to-day ?
I keep in the open air.
Stop.
That's the limit.
I am not in the humor for it.
Open the door.
I wish to call your attention to
the fact, that ...
10
GERMAN IDIOMS
.Qd) ne^mc e^ für C£rnft auf.
3d) nc^mc e^ mit il)m ouf.
5lufgc^a§t!
Söarutn regen (Sie fic^ fo auf?
9}^an mu§ nie aufft^iefieu, toa^
man ^eute tun fann.
8rf|Iogcu (Sie baö ^ud) auf !
Srfireibcu (Sie ba^ auf!
!Daö mirb 3luffe^eu machen.
Senn man cttoa^ üor fid) brin=
cjen tüiü, mu§ man frü() auf»
ftc^cn.
(5in @ett)itter fteigt auf.
Sßarum inn Sie ben 3}tob nid)t
auf?
T)a^ ($ffen njirb aufgetragen.
(5r tritt a(^ gauft auf.
Sßomit !ann id) 3^^^^ aufmar»
ten?
dv meubct alle feine Gräfte an.
!Die Sd)uMabe UJift nic^t auf.
Sie jic^en ha<^ ^inb auf.
(Sr jic^t bie U^r auf.
(ix mad)te grofee Singen.
®e^ mir au^ ben 5lngcn.
Sie überlegten bie Sad)e unter
üier Singen.
(5r ift an§ ber Sd)n)ei3.
Sa^ ift an^ iljm gen)orben?
@^ ift an^ mit i^m.
dv ift ^eute on^.
I take it seriously.
I am his match.
Attention 1
Why do you (let yourself) get
so excited ?
Never put off till to-morrow
what can be done to-day.
Open the book.
Make a note of that.
That will make a sensation.
The early bird catches the
worm.
There is a storm brewing.
Why don't you open your
mouth ?
Dinner is being served.
He appears as Faust.
What can I do for you ?
He strains every nerve.
I can't get the drawer open.
They are bringing up the child.
He is winding up the clock.
He opened his eyes in aston-
ishment.
Get out of my sight.
They considered the matter in
private.
He comes from Switzerland.
What has become of him ?
It is all up with him.
He has gone out to-day.
GERMAN IDIOMS
11
!Die @c^u(e ift an^,
■Da fi^t er ia^rau^, jahrein.
(£r Jlci^t lange au§»
3(^ »erbe fitter ntd)t au§6lctbctt.
T)CL^ geuer Brad) in ber ^d)enne
©ie Brad^ in Xrdnen an§.
(Sie ift ein 5lu§öunb ber ©c^ön-
^eit.
@r brörft fic^ geläufig au§,
g^ fiel gut ttu§.
2öie fönnen mir ba^ au§ftnbig
machen?
3Bir maci^en einen 3ltt§flttg auf
\>a^ Öanb. (Cf. Sir machen
einen Keinen 5lbfte(^cr nac^
^r gibt fic^ für einen 1)i(i)ter
au§. (Cf. (5r gibt fic^ für
einen Slrjt an),
!Da« geuer ge^t an§.
!l)ie (S^ebutb gc^t mir an^.
'Die §aare gc^en au^,
D)iefe garbe ge^t an^. (Cf.
Diefe garbe ^ält nic^t).
X)a^ farm unmög(icf) gut an^-
ge^en,
-3c^ ton e^ nirf)t me^r au§=
galten,
^amit ton ic^ md)t au^fommem
The light is out.
School is over.
There he sits from one year's
end to the other.
He is long in coming.
I will come without fail.
The fire originated in the barn.
She burst into tears.
She is a paragon of beauty
He has a ready flow of lan-
guage.
It turned out well.
How can we find this out ?
We are making a trip into the
country.
He styles himself a poet.
The fire is going out.
I lose all patience.
The hair is falling out.
This color fades.
It will come to no good.
I can stand it no longer.
I can not get along with so
little.
12
GERMAN IDIOMS
^t'm ^ltn\6) fann mit t^m au^»
fommctt»
(8te muffen mtc^ nid)t au§Iarf|cn!
«Sie legen tia^ übet an^.
(5r ^at ®e(b für mic^ aufgelegt.
3d) ^abe bag Sirfjt au§gcmad)t
'^■a^ mögen (Sie miteinanbev
(5§ ift auSgeniad^t»
!iDaö ift eine Sln^na^mc t»on ber
9?egeL
(gr nimmt fic^ fd)(ec^t an^,
^d) nc^mc bic^ unb mic^ an§,
yjieine ©ebulb rci^t au§,
Sr l^at nid)t^ au^gcrtr^tct.
!Da^ ^ferb ft^Iägt \)xntm an§,
üDie :Q3äume frf|Iagen an^.
dv fic^t gnt au§.
(gr fie^t mir ntc^t banacf) au§.
^te fte^t^g bet ^f^nen an§ ?
(go fie^t nac§ fdjönem Setter
ans»
dt ift cttffcr ®efa^r.
(Sr ift anfter fic^.
Zm @ie Qljv anfterfteli ! (Cf.
^6) merbe mein mogltc^ftc^
tun),
ÜDaran ift nid^tö anöjnfc^cn.
There is no getting along with
him.
Do not make fun of me.
You put a bad construction
upon that.
He has paid out money for me.
I put out the light.
That makes no difference.
You may settle that among
yourselves.
It is settled.
That is an exception to the
rule.
He makes a poor appearance.
I except you and myself.
I am out of patience.
He accomplished nothing.
The horse kicks.
The trees are budding.
He looks well.
He doesn't look like it. He is
not likely to. I don't expect
him to.
How are matters with you?
It looks like good weather.
He is out of danger.
He is beside himself.
Do your utmost.
There is nothing to be said
against that.
GERMAN IDIOMS
13
dv ift md)t au^juftc^en,
Qd) jic^e bie §anbfd)u{)e au§»
He is intolerable.
I know that by heart.
I (will) move.
I am taking off my gloves.
SB
@te ift ber pbf(f)efte 23acfftft^
im ganzen !l)orfe.
Q6) \}ah' i^m'ö ^ab gefepet.
(Cf. 1Vi7/ie/m Tell, 1. 97 :
Unb mit ber 5I^t \)^\^' ic^ it)m'^
^ab gefegnet).
(5r brt(f)t fic^ S3a^n,
Sie 6alb ge^en (Sie ?
Satb lüäre ic^ gefallen.
^iDaö ift balb getan.
S3alb biefe^, balb jene^.
5(uf balbtgcg 2öieberfe()en !
3c^ bitte um balbigftc ^ntn)ort»
W\x ift bange baöor.
!^a^ muffen (Sie ni(J)t auf bie
lange S^anf fc^ieben.
(gr ^at mit 40 ^rojent S3onfc=
rott gemad)t.
3:c^ beja^Ie ftet§ bar,
«Sie muffen ba^ nid)t für bare
Wmyt nel)men.
2öa^ brummft bu in ben Sart ?
(Sie ftreiten firf) um be^ ^aijerfg
S5art,
Unb bamit \s(a\iai !
She is the prettiest miss in the
whole village.
I gave it to him good.
He is making his way.
How soon are you going?
I came near falling.
That is easily done.
First one thing, then another.
I hope we may soon meet again.
The favor of an early answer
is requested.
I dread it.
You must not keep putting it
off.
He went bankrupt and paid
forty cents on the dollar.
I always pay cash.
You must not take that for
gospel truth.
What are you muttering about?
They are disputing about trifles.
Enough I And that's an end of
it.
u
GERMAN IDIOMS
T)u fantift auf i^n Bauen»
(Bo fragt man bie S3attern au^.
(5^ ift bafiir geforgt, bag bie
Zäunte ntrf)t in ben §imme(
tüacftfen.
^n ^auftft unb ^ogen.
(^r Maä)it fid) eine^ ^efferen.
2Baö foil ba^ bebcutcn ?
Sa« foil baö ^cifecii ?).
X^a« l)at ntd)t^ ju bcbcutcn.
(Cf.
Serben (Sie frf)on Bcbicut ?
^itte, bebicnctt @ie fid) !
3u S5cfc^I (©eri^ Lieutenant) !
9Ba§ befehlen Sie ?
®ie ()aben mir ni^t^ p Befehlen.
Sie fte^t eg mit 3^rem S5c=
ftnben? (Cf. Sie ftel)t e^
mit^^rer ©efunb^ett?),
3n)if^en ben genftern Bcfinbet
fic^ eine Stür.
Sie kfinben (Sie fidi? (Cf.
Siegelte«?).
(5r ift fet)r begabt,
dv begibt fid) au^ ber (Stabt.
Sir tt)aren im begriffe ab3U^
reifen.
You can rely on him.
Don't be so inquisitive.
Every one has his limitations.
All in all. On the whole.
He changed his mind. He
thought better of it.
What do you mean by that?
It is of no consequence. No
matter.
Is any one waiting on you?
Please help yourself.
{A military form used in an-
swering the summons or re-
ceiving the orders of an officer.
In our service a simple salute
usually takes the place of it).
What can I do for you?
I am not your servant. I'll
take no orders from you.
How is your health?
There is a door between the
windows.
How are you? How do you
do?
He is very gifted.
He leaves town.
We were about to leave (town).
GERMAN IDIOMS
15
(®ott) beptc !
^d) l}abe fein @e(b Bei mir.
(5r tpo^nt bei mir,
(gr ift fcf)on jiemttc^ bei 3^a^ren.
^ti gutem Setter gel)en lüir au^.
bleibe bei ber (Sad)e! (Cf.
Sarum bleiben (Sie nid)t bei
ber Stange ?).
($r ift nic^t bei (Sinnen.
S3ci fo(d)en beuten ift alle^ öer*
gebend.
9fJein, bei Öeibe nicf)t !
3^ tt)ill feing öon bcibcm,
-3t)m ift nic^t hti^nfommtn.
(5r ift gut auf ben SBcincw, (Cf .
(Sie ift ni^t gut p gufte).
Sir ^aben i^m ttjieber ouf hit
S3einc geholfen,
(gr ^at mir ein S5eitt geftellt.
5luf einem Steine ift nid)t gut
fte^en.
3. ^, (pm S3cif^ieO»
^öfe S5eif^icle öerberben gute
(Sitten.
^Madjtn (Sie mid) mit il)m be»
fannt.
!Da^ n)irb i^m ido^I belommcn.
2Biebiel befommt ein ?5Ü^rer ben
2:ag?
Sa^bcf«mmertbirf)ba§? (Cf.
T)a^ gc^t mi(J) nirf)t^ an).
@r bekümmert fic^ gar nidjt um
mid).
God forbid. Never. No, no.
I have no money about me.
He lives at my house.
He is pretty well along in years.
In fine weather we go out.
Stick to the point.
He is not in his right senses.
All efforts are lost on such
people.
Don't you dare to.
I do not wish either.
You can't get at him.
He is a good walker. c--^
We gave him a fresh start.
He tripped me up.
Have another {a seco7id drinii).
For example.
Evil communications corrupt
good manners.
Introduce me to him.
That will agree with him.
How much does a guide charge
a day?
What business is that of yours?
He does not care a rap about
me.
^'^
16
GERMAN IDIOMS
bringen (Sie mir ein Belegtet
mtttxbvot !
T)k\t (Si^e finb htU^t (Cf.
!Diefe (gi^e finb bcfe^t).
2Ba6 BcIieBctt «Sie ?
Sie htlkU ?
SJemü^ctt (Sie fi(^ gefätUgft ^ier*
^er!
Waäjtn (Sie e^ fid) Ijcqucm !
(Sr ift über alle Serge.
Q6) lüeig \}kv nirf)t S3efc^ctb-
!^a^ ift eine fd)öne S3cfc^erung !
(Cf. !5)a^ ift eine fd^öne ©e*
ft^ir^tc!).
3:)iefe Si^e finb iefcfet. (Cf.
^iefe Si^e finb Belegt).
Qd} neunte ben erften Beftcn.
Sie Ijalten i^n pm heften.
(5ntpf et)Ien Sie mid) i()m Bcftcnö.
Sßaffer Beftc^t anö gmei ®afen.
SBae un^ Betrifft, n)ir bleiben
^ier.
!l)iefe ^emerfnng bejic^t fic^
nidjt anf i^^n.
bleiben Sie ^ier bi§ morgen.
S5t§ morgen abenb bin id) fertig.
SBir ge^en big ^ot^bam.
(5^ folgten neun big je^n ^Reiter.
Bring me a sandwich.
These seats are taken (engaged,
spoken for).
What is your pleasure ?
What d id you say ? I beg your
pardon ?
Please step this way.
Make yourself at home.
He has fled.
I am a stranger here.
This is a pretty mess. Now
we are in for it.
These seats are taken (occu-
pied).
I will take the first one that
comes along.
They are making sport of him.
Give him my best regards.
Water is composed of two
gases.
So far as we are concerned,
we will remain here.
This remark does not refer to
him.
Stay here until to-morrow.
I shall finish by to-morrow
evening.
We are going as far as Pots-
dam.
Nine or ten horsemen followed.
GERMAN IDIOMS
17
8te finb alle l)ter hl§ auf einen.
(Sr ftecft hi§ über bte O^ren in
®(^u(ben.
(Sie finb ein fitftt^cn frü^.
mttt !
S3ittc fe()r! (^ö ift gem Qt--
fdje^en).
Senn ii^ Bitten barf.
@r ^at firf) Blamiert»
(5r ^at feine Blaffe 5l^nung ba^
t)on.
;i)er nimmt fein fdtaü öor ben
gj^unb. (Cf. ($r rebet üon
ber ßcBcr met;. @r rnid gteid)
mit ber ^ür in^ §au^ fallen).
(5r mac^t ben beuten einen
Blauen !Dunft öor.
SIctBcn (Sie ^u Zi\(i) !
7 öon 9 BIctBt 2.
2ßo BleiBt mein ®elb ?
(5r BleiBt hahtl
m BleiBt babei.
Waffen Sie ba§ BIctBen !
©ie Ul)r ift fielen geBHeBcn.
23(ojj id)' Ijabe beinen S5ater ge*
fel)en.
Qd) ^abe Blog beinen 33ater ge-
fet)en.
Sie ift ein }ungeö S5Iut»
Sßir muffen un§ nic^t in6 SBorf^^
^rn jagen laffen.
T)a0 finb mir Bö^mtfd^c Dörfer.
(Cf. :Da§ ift f^aiiifcj^ fürmic^)-
They are all here but one.
He is over head and ears in
debt.
You are rather early.
Please.
Don't mention it. (You are
welcome).
If you please.
He has made a fool of himself.
He hasn't the faintest concep-
tion of it.
He calls a spade a spade.
He is humbugging the people.
Stay to dinner. ^^
7 from 9 leaves 2.
Where does the money go ?
He sticks to it.
It is agreed. The agreement
stands. [it.
Let that alone. Don't you do
The watch has stopped.
I only saw your father.
I saw only your father.
She is an innocent young thing.
We must not let ourselves be
scared off.
That is all Greek to me.
18
GERMAN IDIOMS
!Da6 ift feine SBofjne tüert.
(Er Ijdt eine gefpicfte S3örfc»
^ift bu Böfc auf mid) ?
(5r meint eö nid)! Böfe.
Ser l)at ha^ §au^ in S5rattb ge^
fe^t?
3i^ ptte ba§ gleifd) gern f)alb
gcbrntctt,
©a« ift hxat) öon 3^nen.
!Die 5lugen Bretten i^m.
jDer 9?i(^ter hvaä^ ben @tab über
i^n,
@r lebt in (Sau^ unb 23ratt§»
(Cf. (5r lebt tüie unfer §ctr=
gott in granfrei^).
(5r ge^t um bie (Sad)e, wit bie
^a^e um ben ^ei^en 23rct.
SO^arf)' bid) nid^t ju Breit !
(Er ift meit unb Brett befannt.
300 brcttttt^ö ?
^0 brcttttt^g benn ?
. ßr l)at ein ©rett öor bem ^opfe.
(Cf. (Er ift tjcrnagclt).
S3rittgcu (Sie i^m \>a^ ^nd) !
3Saö bringen (Sie 9^eueg ? (Cf .
Saggibt^g^f^eueg?),
X)a« bringe i(^ 3^nen! (Cf.
2luf 3f)re ©efunb^ctt !).
!Diefer @e(e{)rte !ann fein ^ßif-
fen nid)t an ben 3J?ann brin«
gen. (Cf. (Er fann e§ nicf)t
an ben 9Rann bringen)»
I wouldn't give a fig for it.
He has a well-filled purse.
Are you angry with me ?
His intentions are all right.
Who set the house on fire ?
I would like (to have) the meat
rare.
It is very good of you.
His eyes grow dim. He is
dying.
The judge sentenced him to
death.
He lives' a merry life.
He goes about it gingerly.
None of your airs.
He is known far and wide.
Where's the fire ?
What's your hurry ?
He is stupid.
Take the book to him.
What's the news ?
Your health.
This scholar can not utilize his
learning.
GERMAN IDIOMS
19
!5)iefer juttge aj?ann bringt eg
ntrf)t tüett.
Sr bringt mid) urn alle«. (Cf.
©r ift urn fetn ganje^ 5Ber*
mögen gcfommcn).
(5r Brachte fein ^eben big auf 80
dx fjat fid) umg V'eben gcBrcdjt.
(Cf. (Ir gab firf) ben iob. @r
tat ftrf) ein 2eib§ an).
T)ag ift unter 23rübern 20 Tlaxi
ttjert.
'^a^ ift bod) au Bunt.
This young man will not get
along.
He is causing me to lose
everything.
He lived to be 8o years old.
He committed suicide.
This is a bargain at 20 marks.
That is going too far.
^•
3ft 4)err m. t^a ? (Cf. 3ft §err
9^. ^u fvrerfjctt ?).
m6)t^ u !
2öer ba fuc^et, ber finbet.
Sollen 8ie auc^ babet fein ?
Sa0 ift benn babct ?
Qd) I}atte i^n bafür,
<Sinb (^ie baf ür ?
3d) fatin nic^tg bafiir»
Sag ^aben @ie bagcgcn ?
3d) ötn bagegem
^a^in ift eg mit i^m gefommen.
<5g ift ettoag btt^tnter.
Sag irotlen 8ie bcnttt fagen ?
Unb bamit ging er.
Is Mr. N. in ?
No ! Nothing of the sort !
He that seeketh findeth.
Will you be one of us ?
What harm can it do ?
I consider him so.
Are you in favor of it ?
I can not help it.
What have you against it?
I am opposed to it.
It has come to such a pass
with him.
There is something behind all
this.
What do you mean by that ?
And with that he went.
20
GERMAN IDIOMS
fluten @te fid), bamit «Sie nid)t
fallen!
^er Slr^t rjui tl)n lüieber auf ben
^amm gebracht
^anat^ frage 16) ntd)t fo' öieL
T)tefe§ 2;uc^ ift bidtg, aber t^
iff auc^ bana^.
^^ fie^t nt(f)t banad^ au^,
©Ott fei 2)onf !
(S(i)önen (beften) ^ant I
battle fd)ön !
„^0^ ettoa« tu(f)en?" „3^
banfe/'
(gr fc^reibt bann unb mann.
(Cf. dx lomntt ob unb gu. (5r
!ant ^itt unb nneber).
Qd) ^meifle nic^t baram
Baratt ^abe id) nid)t gebad)t.
(Sinmal muffen mir alle baron.
Sarum ge^en «Sie nid)t bron ?
jDu mu§t bid) brott galten.
Ser fontmt brou ?
3e^t bin ic^ bron. (Cf. T)it
^txf)c ift an mir. ^e^t
fommt eö an bic^).
(5r ift je^t bron.
^'c^ mei§ nic^t, mie ic^ bron bin,
Sie finb @ie mit il)m bron ?
(gg ift nid)te bron.
Beware lest you fall.
The physician has set him on
his feet again.
I don't care a straw for that.
This cloth is cheap, but the
quality is in keeping with
the price.
It doesn't look like it.
Thank God I
Thank you (very much).
Thank you (very much).
" Have some more cake ? "
'' No, thank you."
He writes now and then.
I do not doubt it.
I never thought of that.
We must all die some time.
Why don't you go at it ?
You must keep at it (do your
best).
Whose turn is it ?
It is my turn now.
He is at it now {the work).
I do not know what to think
of it.
How do you stand with him ?
There is nothing (no truth) in
it.
GERMAN IDIOMS
21
gg liegt mir üiel bran*
dx ift übel bran.
(5r mar na^e bran p fterben.
(5r befte^t baranf.
(äv ift ftol^ barauf.
Q6) freue mirf) frfjon baranf»
3rf) gebe üiel baranf.
3c^ bin barauf gefagt.
darauf Wollte id) ^inauS.
Weint §anb baranf! (Cf.
(St^fagcn (Sie ein !).
^r tagt üiel branf ge^en.
SDJein §unb ift mir branf ge^
gangen.
@r ging branf loö.
T)en 3:;ag baranf fam bie dJad)'
ric^t.
Warans toirb nid)t«.
34 mac^e mir nic^t^ baranö.
^ä) fann nic^t !lug Hvan^
»erben.
(Sie muffen fic^ barcin finben.
(5r gab ba§ noc^ oben brcin.
2öer ift bartn ?
^arin irren Sie fic^.
3^c^ bin fro^ barüöer.
Qd) bin barnöer I^inaug.
(5^ ift fc^on ein 53iertel baruBen
It is a matter of great impor-
tance to me.
He is in a bad way.
He came near dying.
He insists on it.
He is proud of it.
I look forward to it with plea-
sure.
It is of great consequence to
me.
I am prepared for it.
That's what I was aiming at.
There's my hand on it. We'll
shake hands on it.
He spends a great deal.
My dog died (for me).
He made a dash for it.
The following day the news
came.
That cannot be. No, you
don't.
I care nothing about it.
I cannot make head or tail
of it.
You must try to get reconciled
to it.
He gave this into the bargain.
Who is in ?
You are mistaken in that.
I am glad of it.
I am above such things.
It i§ already a quarter past.
22
GERMAN IDIOMS
jDa ge^t'£i brunter unb brüBer.
(&v ttjeife barum.
(5ö fei barum !
@te finb barutttcr*
jDa^ tft aüeö frf)on bagciDcfcn.
^r ift fran!; bo§ bin id) aurf). •
^a§ bu eö JO nic^t tuft !
^ai fid) ®ott erbarme !
^u baucrft mic^.
(Sr l)at fie unter bem ^arnneti.
(Cf. 8ie Ijat xl)n unter bem
Pantoffel).
2Öa^ Ijaht id) batjon ?
i8ie finb glitdli^ batimigcfom»
tuen,
^ajtt lüirb'ö nid)t fommen.
Sie ift er baju gefommen ?
(5r ift ein ^fel unb nod) ein
grower baju,
3fd) ftrecfe mic^ nad) ber ^crfe.
(Sie fpielen unter einer 2)eife.
2)e«F mal einer !
So benlen @ie ()in ?
(5« ift 3U ber unb ber ©tunbe
gefd)et}en.
3e mel)r man ^t, befto me^r
tt)iU man ^aben.
^a^ ttjar einmal' beutfdi gerebet!
Somit !ann id) 3f)nen bieuett ?
Sopbiente«?
E^ ery thing is topsy-turvy there.
He knows of it.
So be it, then.
They are among the number.
We have had all that before.
He is sick; so am I.
Mind you don't do it.
God be merciful t
I pity you.
He has her under his thumb.
What do I get by it ?
You had a lucky escape.
It won't go as far as that.
How did he come by it?
He is an ass and a big one at
that.
I cut my coat according to my
cloth.
They are hand and glove to-
gether.
Just think !
What are you thinking of? You
are entirely mistaken.
It happened at such and such
an hour.
The more one has, the more
one wants.
That was plain talking.
What can I do for you ?
What's the good of it?
GERMAN IDIOMS
23
^amit ift mir nirf)t gcbicnt
(Sie ift guter 'i^in^t.
(5^ gel^t nic^t mit rediten 2)tttgctt
filler guten 2)ittgc finb brei.
3d) bin tüieber gefunb, boc^ mug
ic^ mi^ fe^r in ac^t nel)men.
Ä^ommen (Sie bo(i^ !
(Sie lüiffen boc^, bag er fort ift ?
„Riffen (Sie e^ benn nic^t?"
„iSagc mir'ö bo(^ !" „iyjic^t
bo4"
(gr ift mir ein ^orn im 3luge.
^r fann ni^t bi^ brct gcit)(en.
^rücfe bid) um hit ©de !
3d) fte^e mit i^m auf ^u unb
^a^ ift bummeg 3^^9-
äJ^it ber^umm^eit !äm|)fen(3^i)t=
ter felbft üergeben^. (/u^g-
frau von Orleans, 1. 2319).
(5r ^at bie ganje ^^ac^t bnrc^ ge-
fc^rieben.
äJiug id) bur(^au§ !ommen ?
(Sie lüoüte burrj^aus nid)t nac^*
geben,
(gr ift burd^geBrantti (Cf. (gr
madite ftc^ au^ bem ©tauBc.
(5r f)at aici^cttg genommen).
That will never do for me.
She is in good spirits.
There's crooked work here.
There is something myste-
rious about it.
Three is a good number.
I am well again, but I must
take good care of myself.
Do come.
You know (I suppose) that he
is gone, don't you 1
"Don't you know it?" ''Yes,
indeed."
*' Tell me, won't you ? " "No,
certainly not."
He is a thorn in my flesh.
He doesn't know B from a
bull's foot.
Take a sneak around the cor-
ner. Vamoose 1
I am on familiar terms with
him.
That is stuff and nonsense.
Even the gods fight in vaiij
against stupidity.
He wrote the whole night
through. [me to come ?
Is it absolutely necessary for
She would not yield in the
least.
He skipped.
24
GERMAN IDIOMS
(5r ift burc^gefaflctt»
't)ie ^ferbe ge^cit burt^,
(gr ift (im (Seamen) butc^gc!om=
men, (Cf. (5r t)at fein ©ga-
men beftanben).
Senn id) bitten barf,
(g^ barf niemanb ^erein.
^arf ic^ nti^ barauf üerfoffen?
^u barfft eö nnr fagen.
'5)aS bürftc nic^t fc^lper fein.
He failed to pass (the examina-
tion).
The horses are running away.
He has passed the examina-
tion.
If you please.
Nobody is permitted to enter.
May I rely on it ?
You need only say so.
That ought not to be difficult.
(gr Wat cbctt l^ier.
(5r ift eben bei bem ^ucf)^änb'
(er.
(Sie fommen eben rei^t.
!©en chm fud)e 16),
@t, ha^ ift ja l^errlicf) !
@i n^arnm nic^t gar! (Cf. SÖa=
rum md)t gar!).
T)a^ ®t iDill immer fUtger fein
al^ bie §enne.
@r mac^t fid^ anbrer Öeute 5lr*
beit gu eigen*
dt mad)t fiel) eine ^pxad)t ^u
eiaen*
He was here just a moment
ago.
At this moment he is at the
bookstore.
You are just in time.
He is the very man I am look-
ing for.
Why, that is splendid !
Nonsense 1
You don't say so 1
(The young generation always
wants to be wiser than its
elders). Smarty ! You think
you know it all, don't you ?
He appropriates the work of
others.
He acquires a language.
GERMAN IDIOMS
25
@tgcttt(tc§ Ijättt id) e§ ntc^t tun
follen.
©igendic^ {)abe tc^ ba^ 4öud)
md)t gelefen.
3:d) ^abe ©ile.
^ie (Bad)t ^at (Bite,
mu mit Sßeile!
Qd) tüti^ md)t iro auö, lüo cim
T)aö fage ic^ btr ein für aüemaL
Unfer einer barf baö nid)t tun.
(S^ ift mir a((e§ cin§.
e^ fommt a((e^ auf ein§ i)inau^,
ÜV arbeitet in einem fort.
(5^ ift mir einerlei. (Cf . m ift
mir ttffeg ein^. T)a^ ift mir
Sönrft).
T>a^ fäWi mir gar nid)t vn.
SBa^fäÄtbirein?
darauf ge^e ic^ nid)t ein»
3d) lüar mit mir felbft nic^t
cinig^ njaö ic^ tun foKte.
dt ift einige 80 ^a^re alt.
^r ift nod) tin'mal fo alt tpie fie.
@agen @ie baö noc^ ein'mal !
5luf ein'mal fprang er auf.
(Sagen (Sie mir eininari
(5r ift nid)t einmol' franf ge^
njefen.
a^ ift nun ctnmar fo. (Cf. T)a
eg nnn einmal' fo ift).
a^ ift nun einmal' gefc^e^en.
können Sie baö ©inmalcinö ?
I ought really not to have
done it.
To tell (you) the truth, I have
not read the book.
I am in a hurry.
The matter is urgent.
More haste, less speed.
I do not know what to do.
I tell you this once for all.
Such as I dare not do this.
It is all the same to me.
It all amounts to the same.
He works unceasingly.
It is all the same to me.
I never thought of such a thing.
The (very) idea (of such a
thing) !
I cannot agree to that.
I was uncertain as to what I
should do.
He is some 8o years old.
He is twice as old as she.
Say that again.
All at once he jumped up.
Just tell me.
He was not even sick.
It is so and it cannot be helped ,
What is done can't be undone.
Do you know the multiplica-
tion table ?
26
GERMAN IDIOMS
ßr mug fic^ barnac^ einritzten»
©r^cttfctt (Sie mir ein !
Sr^lagen (Sie ein ! (Cf. 9J?eine
§anb baranf !).
Söir fc^lugen einen anberen Seg
ein,
3(f) tt)i({ ben -53rlef einfd^rciicn
(äffen.
3d) ftc^c nur für ntic^ felbft cim
^inftcigen nacf) ^re^ben ! (Cf.
OJ^üffen lüir l)ter naä) %ad}tn
nmftcigcn ?).
Sir tüerben ^eute ahtn'i) in ©am^'
bürg eintreffen,
tein dintritt !
3cZ bin bamit einöerftanben.
Sa§ ijahtn Sie bagegen cinsn^
hjenben ?
9^ot brirf)t @ifen.
^ä) em^fe^Ie micf) (3J)nen).
©m^fe^kn Sie mic^ ^i)xtv
grau 3J^utter.
@nbe gut, al(e^ gut.
(5^ gel^t mit il)m gu ©nbe.
5lm @nt)c bin \dß gen)efen, ber
!4)iefer 9^0(f ift mir su eng.
Sein ^ame ift mir entfalten.
SÖir toollen i!)m entgegengehen.
(5d foH 3Znen babei nic^t^J cnt«
ge^en*
He must make his arrange
ments accordingly.
Pour out a glass (of wine) for
me.
Shake hands on it. ( Urging^
We took a different road. We
tried other means.
I am going to have the letter
registered.
I answer only for my own acts.
All aboard for Dresden.
We shall arrive at Hamburg
this evening.
No admission.
I agree to that.
What objections have you
against it ?
Necessity knows no law.
Good-bye.
Remember me to your mother.
All's well that ends well.
He is on his last legs.
You'll end up by saying that it
was I who . . .
This coat fits me too tight.
His name has slipped my
memory.
Let us go to meet him.
You shall lose nothing by it.
GERMAN IDIOMS
27
(Sr fo(( e6 mir entgelteiu
3c() fonnte mid) torn be^ l^a=
djen^ enthalten,
©ntfc^ulbtgcn (^ie !
!DaB (Bott erbarme !
^urcf) ©rfa^rung tüirb man
Hug.
Scf) öerbteibe Q\}v ergebenfter
T)ieTier.
®ut, ba§ «Sie mid) baran erin»
tterit»
Qd) Ijahe mtc^ erfriltct
©rlauBen «Sie !
3ft ba^ 3^r ©rnft ?
-3d) bin anf^ 9?eiten er^jtc^t
(So ift erft l)a(b ^iüct.
3c^ l)abe t^n erft geftern gefe^en,
f! (5r fommt erft morgen.
Säre id) nur erft ^u §aufe !
^d) n)i(( erft fragen.
9^un erft fiel e§ mir ein.
"^a^ mad)t bie ©ac^e erft rec^t
fd)(imm.
9^un tue ic^ e^ erft red)t uic^t.
(Sr ift ein ©r^bummfopf.
3^1^ bin e§.
@§ lebe ber tönig !
@^ fingt iemanb.
m !(opft.
!Du ^aft e§ gut.
I'll make him suffer for it.
I could scarcely keep from
laughing.
I beg your pardon.
God preserve us 1
A burnt child dreads the fire.
I am respectfully yours.
I am glad that you remind me
of it.
I have caught cold.
Permit me. I beg your par-
don.
Do you mean it ?
I am passionately fond of
horseback riding.
It is only half-past one.
I saw him only yesterday.
He will not come before to-
morrow.
If I were only at home.
I will ask first.
Not till then did it occur to me.
That makes it all the worse.
Now I won't do it at all.
He is a regular blockhead.
It is I.
Long live the king I
Somebody is singing.
Some one is knocking.
You are well off. You have
an easy time of it.
28
GERMAN IDIOMS
(5r meint c^ cjut mit bir,
ÜV ift arm, ic^ bin e§ and),
^d) hin c^3 miibe.
m gibt (ift, finb) . , .
„Sinb @ie Öe^rer?" ,,3^ bin
eg,"
äöir iDoKen ju 2J^ittag cffcn,
T)er a}^enfd) ift, \m^ er t^t.
(7%<? dictum of Ludwig
Feuer b ach ^ 18^0).
(5r ift ctrtja 30 ^a^re ait
!Den!en (Sie ni(^t etwa, ba^ . . .
§aben (Sie je fo etitia^ ge{)ört ?
Siffen Sie ettoa^ 9^ene^ ?
©uleit nac^ 5lt()en tragen.
!Daranö inirb eiutg nid)t^.
(5r ^at fein %ameit beftan-
ben. (Cf. (5r ift (im gra-
men) burrfjgefommen).
He means well by you.
He is jDOor ; so am I,
1 am tired of it.
There is (are) . . .
" Are you a teacher? " '• I
am."
Let us eat dinner.
Tell me what you eat, and I
will tell you what you are.
He is about 30 years old.
You must not think that . . .
Did you ever hear the like ?
Have you any news ?
To carry coals to Newcastle.
That's out of the question.
He passed his examination.
??
!Da§ ift nic^t mein fyarfj.
(S^ ift !ein guter S^ben an i^m.
(Cf . (5^ ift feine gute 5lber an
i^m. (g^ ift fein gute^ §aar
an i{)m).
ga^re n)0^( !
(g^ fu^r mir burc^ ben ^o|)f.
^a möchte man au^ ber §aut
fahren.
(5ö fä^rt fic^ angenehm,
^'c^ fa^rc britter tlaffe.
That is out of my line.
He is thoroughly bad.
Farewell.
It flashed through my mind.
It is enough to drive one mad.
This is nice traveling.
I travel third class.
GERMAN IDIOMS
29
^a§ ift ber gatt,
@e^en @ie ben gatt,
(Sollten ®ie je in hen %aU !om*
men.
®aö n)trb er auf feinen gaß tun.
3d) bin auf alle gädc gefaxt,
(gr ift nid)t auf ben ^opf ßc*
fatten,
dt fiel mir inö 9Bort.
Dftern faßt bie« 3at)r frü^.
®a§ fättt fog(eic^ in bie klugen.
@r ift ber ©emeinbe gur ^aft
gcfoöcn»
(g§ faßt mir f^njer.
^r fiel fi(^ *^en 5lrm au§ bem
©eleu!.
(5§ finb 3tt)ei (Scfjüffe gefallen,
^er Sm tft fötttö^
T)ae ift falfc^.
(gie fprec^en ba§ ^ort falfd^
aue.
(Sie fingt falf(^.
2ßie gel)t eö 3^rer gamilie ?
5)a§ liegt in ber Sßmtlie.
Sie t)aben einen guten Jang ge*
tan.
@r fängt gleich geuer.
So leicht laffe ic^ mic§ nic^t
fangen,
(Sie muffen garBc befennen.
Such is the case.
Suppose.
If you should ever have occa-
sion.
He will not do that in any
event.
I am prepared for the worst.
He is no fool.
He cut me short (interrupted
me).
Easter is early this year.
That catches the eye (strikes
one) at once.
He became a charge upon the
town (parish).
I find it difficult.
He dislocated his arm.
There were two shots fired.
The train is due.
That is wrong.
You mispronounce the woid.
She sings out of tune.
How are the folks ?
That runs in the family.
You made a good catch.
He is easily angered.
I am not taken in so easily as
all that.
You must follow suit. Show
your colors.
y
30
GERMAN IDIOMS
T)aö f^Iägt bem Jaft ben ^oben
^aö !ann tc^ nic^t faff en,
gaffcn (Sie fic^ !
gaffctt @ie fid) !urj !
liefer ^belftein ift in ®oIb gc»
fa§t.
(Sr fafttc fie f(f)arf in^ ^uge.
3cf) bin aufö (gdilimmfte gefoftt
^r ift gang auger Söffttwö-
dv ift ein fauler <Btxid,
^a^ |}a§t n)ie bie Jauft auf«
5luge.
(ir tut« auf eigne fjauft,
dv !jat mir eine gauft gemacht
^r lai^te fid) in« gäuftc^cn.
(5r ^at ben ^opf 00U i^aitn.
dv liegt no^ in ben gcberm
(Sr ift öon ber fjeber,
!5)amit ^at er tt)enig gcbcrlefen«
gemacht,
SBer fe^lt ?
Sa«fe^(t 3?t)nen? (Cf. Sa«
^ftbu benn?).
ig« fc^a i^nt an ®elb.
©a« fehlte nur noi^.
^« fann mir nic^t fehlem
SBeit gefehlt !
(5« ift fe^Igefr^Iagcm
@ie begel)en biefen i^tf^Ux jebe«*
maL
That spoils the whole business.
That's the last straw.
I can not understand that.
Compose yourself.
Make your statenient brief.
Cut it short.
This jewel is mounted in gold.
He looked at her sharply.
I am prepared for the worst.
He is quite beside himself.
He is a lazybones.
There is neither rhyme nor
reason in it.
He does it on his own hook.
He shook his fist in my face.
He laughed in his sleeve.
He is full of tricks.
He is still in bed.
He is a literary man.
He made short work of it.
Who is absent ?
What is the matter with you ?
He is short of cash.
That caps the climax.
I can not fail.
You are far from the mark.
It miscarried.
You make this mistake every
time.
GERMAN IDIOMS
31
3etit machen irtr getcrabcub»
^ie 5lrbeiter feiern.
T)a ift ntc^t ju feiern.
3t)m ift aik^ feil.
!5)a^ ift ntc^t fein.
(Sei fein artig! (Cf. ©ei ^übfrf)
artig !).
(5r ift it)m feinb.
(Sie mugten ba^ 5e(b räumen,
^er geinb rücfte in§ Selb.
^er Ä^erl {)at ein bide« geK.
T^ie großen S^^i^n banern jnjei
9JZonate.
31:^ ^o(te mid) fern.
'^a^ liegt mir fern.
gr t'ommt au^ tüilbefter 5^^«^*
^a^ liegt nod) in tneiter gerne.
(5r folgt mir auf bm gerfen.
T^a^ offen ift fertig.
äÖir finb fi^ unb fertig.
3Nemanb bringt e^ fertig.
3:^ bin mit il)m fertig.
Siet), n)ie bu fertig mirft !
Wadjcn «Sie fi^ fertig.
können (Sie mir gcner geben ?
(Sr geriet in gener.
!SDag !ann er auö bem gg.
Now we will stop work for the
day. [day.
The workmen are taking a holi-
There is no time to be lost.
He thinks everything can be
bought with money.
That is not nice.
Be very good.
He is hostile to him.
They were forced to yield.
The enemy took the field.
That fellow is thick-skinned.
The summer vacation lasts two
months.
I keep aloof.
I should never think of it.
He comes from the remotest
corner of the earth.
It will be a long time before
that happens.
He is close at my heels.
Dinner is ready.
We are quite ready.
No one can do it.
I have done with him.
You will have to get along the
best you can.
Get ready.
Can you give me a light ?
He flared up.
He is A I at that.
1s
32
GERMAN IDIOMS
yy
(Sie tft !urj öon %\%\\x*
(5§ !ann fid) ntd)t^ (Sc^önereö
ftnbcn,
(gr meig fic^ in a((e^ ^u finbcn»
9}^ir fagf Ö mein !(einer gtugcr»
@ie fel)ett 3^)^'^^^ l^inbern ^u
Diet burc^ bie ginget.
^JJ^an fann eö an ben giugcnt
abjagten, bag . . .
ginger baüon ! (Cf. §änbe '^^x--
t)on!).
aJZad)t nic^t fo öiel gifimotcn*
ten!
!Da^ liegt auf ber flatten ©anb.
!Da§ finb glaufcn !
(5r ^at baö geq auf bem re(f)ten
Slerf.
3cft ^abe e^ nic^t mit gktg ge^
tan.
(Sr fdjlcigt ^irei glicgcn mit einer
Etappe.
@r ift ein fCotter :^urfc^e.
!Dort gel)t eg flott ^er.
(5r tuurbe flitt^tig*
Sßa§ folgt baraue ?
Sag forbern @ie ?
gr fdjrieb ru^ig fort»
gort mit bir !
(Sie iDaren fc^on fort»
^ir muffen fort»
She is short in stature.
There can be nothing more
beautiful.
He knows how to accommo-
date himself to everything.
A little bird told me.
You are too indulgent to your
children.
You can easily guess that . . .
Hands ofif.
Don't make so much fuss.
Be quick !
That's plain as daylight.
That is all humbug.
His heart is in the right place.
I did not mean to do it.
He kills two birds with one
stone.
He is a gay fellow.
They have a gay time there.
He absconded.
What follows from that ? What
is the conclusion ?
How much do you charge ?
He kept on writing.
Be gone !
They had already gone.
We must be going.
GERMAN IDIOMS
38
men !
(Sr fommt nic^t gut fort*
gortfc^uitg folgt.
(Stellen (Bit' bte ?Jvagctt !
^d) frage feinen Äjelter banac^.
(vö fragt fic^, ob . . .
3d) bin frani unb frei.
S\t ber iörief franHert ?
Syian n)enbe fic^ fc^riftlic^ nnb
franfo an 9^. 'JJ.
3:ft 5rau 9?. au ©aufe ?
^utfi^er, finb (Sie frei ?
(5r aei(^net auö freier $anb.
Qv tut e^ auö freien ©tücfen.
Sir l^aben ^eute frei,
^d) bin gern im grcien,
(Sr lebt in ber ^rcmbc,
dx tarn erft neulid) auö ber
fjrcmbe.
(5r ^at einen 9^arren an i^r ge=
freffctt.
3:)er 9}^enf(^ igt ; ba^ Xkv frtftt.
@r l)at feine greubc baran.
(So freut nti{^, (Sie 3U fe^en.
!Da§ ift fe^r freunblit^ öon
3^tten.
Öag mic^ tn grieben !
(5ö friert*
@^ friert nttcf).
SJ^an fing ben SDieü auf ftift^er
2:at.
grifc^ geraagt ift I)alb gewonnen.
Be off!
He is not getting along well.
Continued in our next.
You' ask the questions.
I don't care a fig for it.
It is a question, whether . . .
1 am free as a bird.
Is the letter stamped ?
Address, with stamped envel-
ope, N. N.
Is Mrs. N. at home ?
Driver, are you disengaged ?
He does free-hand drawing.
He does it of his own free will.
We have a holiday to-day.
I like to be out of doors.
He lives abroad.
He returned from abroad only
a short time ago.
He is infatuated with her.
Man eats ; the animal feeds»
He takes delight in it.
I am delighted to see you.
That is very kind of you.
Leave me alone.
It is freezing.
I am chilly.
The thief was caught in the
act.
A good beginning is half the
battle.
X
c^
34
GERMAN IDIOMS
W
u
3ci) arbeite morc^en^ frii^,
3cf) ge^e morgen fritJ|.
grii^ \x\^i fief), lüaö ein SD^eifter
tnerben mid. ( Wilhelm Tell,
1. 1481).
©r !am in ader grii^c.
^an mu§ fid) in tie (gadje fit*
öen»
^r fü^rt ba^ SBort.
@r fü^rt "ti^^ ®efcf)äft.
(5r fii^rt bie ^ü(^er.
(gr fü^rt ein ruhige« ßeben.
"hxt Vox fü^rt nacf) ber (Strafe.
SBaö ftt^rt er im ®ct)ilbe?
Sir Ijaben einen glüd'üc^en
guttb getan.
g^ ift funfelnagelneu»
Sa^ für eine :^(nme ift \i^^'}
9öa§ für ein grogeö 3^^^^^'
5ln nnb für fid) felbft ift e§ nial)r.
gür0 erfte bift bn p jnng.
3fd) fürri^te mid) öor bem ^nnbe.
!Da^ ©ß^^ if^ 40 5«^ lang.
Sir gel)en sn ^ttfe-
@ie ift nid)t gnt gu git^c. (Cf.
(5r ift gut auf ben Seinen)»
Die ©efangenen mürben auf
freien %\\^ gefeilt.
Sir fte^en auf gutem 3^Ǥc mit
i^m.
(5r ging fte^enben 5u^c§.
:l)a^ f)at meber §anb noc^ guf^*
SOleine greit)eit ift futft^*
I work early in the morning.
I shall go to-morrow morning.
Early practice makes the mas-
ter.
He came early in the morning
We must accommodate our-
selves to the situation.
He is spokesman.
He conducts the business.
He keeps the books.
He leads a quiet life.
The door opens on the street.
What mischief is he up to ?
We made a lucky find.
It is brand new.
What kind of (a) flower is this ?
What a large room 1
In the abstract it is true.
In the first place you are too
young.
I am afraid of the dog.
The house is 40 feet long.
We are going afoot.
She is a poor walker.
The prisoners were set free.
We are on good terms with
him.
He went immediately, [to it.
This has neither head nor tail
My freedom is gone.
GERMAN IDIOMS
85
m
1)er ift ein ßJalgcnftrid
Die Q^aUt läuft tl)m über.
^a^ wixb iDieber in Q^an^ fom-
men.
Sotten (Sie einen @ang für mid)
maii)en?
ßr ge^t nod) feinen alten (^aitg*
!Da« (gffen beftanb au§ fünf
03ängctt,
:DaS ift bei un§ gang unb gäbe.
3c^ bin ^ier 90115 fremb.
3d) bin ganj unb gar öerlaffem
Da^ gteifc^ ift nic^t gar,
Sd) l)abe gar fein ®e(b.
3d) bin gar ju fro^.
(är ift franf, ober gar fd)on tot.
Sßarumnic^t gar ! (Cf. @i marum
nic^t gar!),
^r l)at il)m t^m Voraus gemad)t.
3d) bin bd meinem ^reunb gu
ejaftc.
2öir baben beute ^äftc,
(gr gafticrt a(^ gauft.
?^rau 9^., geborene (S(^ut^.
Vergibt (bie Garten)?
@ott gebe, baf^ . . .
3Ba^ fur ein ^Stücf n)irb f)eute
abenb gegeben?
He is a rascal.
His blood is up.
That will come into vogue
again.
Will you do an errand for me?
He still follows his old ways.
The dinner consisted of five
courses.
That is quite a common thing
with us.
I am an utter stranger here.
I am absolutely forsaken.
The meat is not done.
I have no money at all.
I am so (very) glad. v
He is ill, or even dead by this K
time.
Nonsense 1 You don't say sol y
He finished (killed, ruined) X
him.
I am staying with my friend. (^
We have company to-day.
He stars as Faust. *
Mrs. N., nee Schultz.
Who deals.?
God grant that . . .
What play is on to-night ?
86
GERMAN IDIOMS
Q6) gcBc ntc^t^ barauf.
dv gab ben ^rief auf bte ^oft.
a^ gibt l)eute 9?egen»
3öaö gtbt^g ?
5föa^ giBfg ^J^eueö? (Cf. ^a^
Iirmgctt @ie 5leue^?).
:Da« iDtrb fid) fc^on geben.
(5r gab fid) batntt gufneben.
(5r gab ftc^ für einen 5luölänber.
^^ ift nic^t nte^r ber ©ebraitrff.
(5^ gebricht mir an ®e(b.
Sie famen ®ie auf biefen ©e*
^ banf en ?
(Sr ma(^t fid) ©cbanfen.
3^d) mill eö i^nt fd)on gebenden.
(?nb(ii^ reißt mir bie ^cbntb.
e« l)at teine (JJefa^r.
(5^ gefaßt mir nid)t.
üDaö laffe tc^ mir gefaöen !
ÜDa^ laffe ic^ mir nid)t gefaöen.
^a^ tue ic^ 3^nen ^vl ©efattem
2Ba« ift 9l)nen gefäüig ?
Sßenn e§ 3^^^^ Ö^f^öig ift.
ÜDarf id) @ie um eine ©efößig»
fdthitttn?
51e^men «Sie gef ättigft ^lai^ !
^r irurbe gefangen genommen.
(5g ift gegen 10 U^r.
2öag ^aben @ie gegen i^n ?
(So ift nid)te gegen baö, n)ae ic^
fal).
I think nothing of it.
He mailed the letter.
It will rain to-day.
What is the matter ?
What's the news ?
That will come all right in
course of time.
He put up with it. He ac-
quiesced in it.
He pretended to be a foreigner.
It is no longer customary.
I am short of money.
How did you come to think of
it?
He worries.
I'll make him pay for it.
Now my patience is at an end.
There is no danger.
I do not like it.
Capital! That's something
like I
I won't put up with that.
I do this to please you.
What can I do for you ?
If you please.
May I ask a favor of you ?
Please be seated.
He was taken prisoner.
It is about ID o'clock.
What have you against him ?
It is nothing compared with
what I saw.
GERMAxN IDIOMS
3t
3m Qk^tnttit
Sie gc^t e«? (Cf. $Bie bc=
finbcn ^ie fi^ ?).
(5^ ge^t fdjOtt tnö öterte 3a^n
!t)arüber gcfjt ntc^t^.
:5)ag genfter gc^t nac^ ^Süben.
Xutt «Sie, lute eö fid) gehört.
dx ift in ben gciftltt^cn <Btanh
getreten.
^elb regiert bie Seit.
^Daju geljört ein gaufen @clb»
(gr fommt mir fef)r gelegen.
(Cf. Maria Stuart, 1. 3015.
!l)iefer 9}^ortimer ftarb (5nc^
fe^r gelegen).
(^ie muffen fic^ ber Gelegenheit
bebienen.
(g§ gelingt mir; e6 ift mir gc»
Inngen.
(5« gilt !
Sa§ gilt§? 2Ba0 gilt bie
Sette?
^aö laffe ic^ gelten,
ßier gilt fein 3ciiiö^rit.
3)^an mng e^ nic^t fo genau ne^=
men.
(gr fam mit genauer 9^ot bnrc^.
(Cf. (5r ift mit Ina^^er 9^ot
bnrc^gefommen).
©ie muffen fic^ nic^t geutcrcn.
(g^ ift gcrabe rec^t.
On the contrary.
How are you ?
It is nearly four years.
There is nothing like it.
The window looks towards the
south.
Do what is proper.
He has entered the ministry.
Money makes the mare go.
That takes a great deal of
money.
He comes at a very opportune V
time.
You must embrace the oppor-
tunity.
I succeed ; I have succeeded.
Done.
What will you bet ?
That may pass.
This is no time for hesitation.
One must not be too particular.
He just scraped through.
Make yourself at home.
That's the very thing.
38
GERMAN IDIOMS
(5r tft nirf)t (jcrabc mein g^'^utib.
Qd) l)abe e§ tl)m gcrabcl)crauö
gefagt.
(£r geriet auf bcu (^ebanfen.
(5r geriet in @efat)i\
(§r geriet unter ble geinbe.
^ie 5lrbeit ift i^m gut geraten.
(Bit tarn inö GJerebc.
®el)en (Sie nic^t ,^u ftreng mit
it)m in^ ^erit^ft»
Qii) trinfe dJtiid) gem.
Qf^ l)abe il)n germ
(5^ ift gern gefc^eljen.
dv tüirb immer gern gefel)en.
jDa^ glaube id) gent.
Sie get)en bie Ojef^äfte ?
1)a^ $auö marf)t gro§e @e*
ft^äftc.
a^ gefrf)ief)t bir ganj red)t.
(5g ift um it)n gef^e^en.
X)a^$ ift eine fii)öne ^efr^it^te!
(Cf. !Da§ ift eine fd)üne S3e=
f c^ieruttg !).
(5r gel)t in^ ®efrf)trr.
(Sie ift !aum !)übfd), gef^toelge
benn fi^on 3U nennen.
(§r ma(i)t ein (ange-S ©eflc^t.
T)k jungen fcf)neiben ©eft^ter.
(Sie fte^en mit einanber auf gc«
f^anntem guge.
He is not exactly my friend.
I told him my opinion in plain
words.
It occurred to him.
He ran into danger.
He fell into the hands of {or
among) the enemy.
His work has been successful.
People began to gossip about
her.
Do not be too hard on him.
I like (to drink) milk.
I like him.
You are quite welcome.
He is always welcome.
I can readily believe it.
How is business ?
The house is doing a large
business.
It serves you right.
It is all up with him.
That's a pretty piece of busi-
ness.
He exerts himself.
She can hardly be called pretty, >>
much less beautiful.
He looks disappointed.
The youngsters are making
faces.
Their relations are strained.
GERMAN Idioms
89
3öie fte^t e6 mit ^^rer ^efutib*
i)tit ? (Cf . ^ie ftel)t e^ mit
3f)rem Söcftnben ?).
5luf 3t)re (SJcfmib^ctt ! (Cf.
^a3 bringe ic^ 3l)nen!).
T)a§ gemährt einen fc^önen ln=
blii.
2a6 i^n nur gcttJä^rcn !
(Sr lüoüte mit aller bemalt mit^
ge()en.
(So ift i^m 3ur ©ertio^n^cit ge-
lüorben*
T)arauf fannft bu (^tft net)men»
X)a^ fie^t i^m g(ci(^,
(5r bleibt fid^ immer (^Uiä).
(gr fam glcit^ nad)l)er.
Qd) bin gleit^i n)ieber ba.
@(ü(f auf !
3um @(ü(f ujar niemanb p
©aufe.
3d) ttjage e^ auf pt ©lürf.
a^ ift it)m gcglürft.
©lürflirflcriDcifc (^um @lü(f)
lüar niemanb ju §aufe.
(E^ ift nic^t alle^ (^M, m^
glänzt.
(5r gönnt niemanb ttwa^.
@e{)en (gie in ^^otte§ 9^amen !
@o lieg er fiel) in ©otte§ ^^Zamen
nieber.
How is your health ?
Your health !
That affords a beautiful view.
Just let him alone.
He was determined to go along.
It has become a habit with him.
You can be absolutely sure of
that.
That is like him.
He is always the same.
He came right after.
I'll be back in no time.
Good luck!
Fortunately there was no one
at home.
I will chance it.
He has been successful.
As luck would have it (or
luckily) there was no one at
home.
All is not gold that glitters.
He wishes no one well.
Go in God's name.
So he sat down, awaiting with
resignation whatever might
befall.
/
40
GERMAN IDIOMS
^r l)ört ha^ @ro0 it>aii)jen.
(5r mugte in§ @ra§ beij3ett.
3c§ gratuliere sum neuen ^a^re.
(Cf. mndixdjc^ ^leuja^r I
profit ^eujafjrl).
!Darüber (äffe id) mir feine
grauen §aare n)acf)fen.
jDaö greift fic^ mit ben §änben.
@ie griffe« x\}m unter bie 5Irme.
(5^ greift ade« ^übfc^ ineinanber.
!l)ie ^ranf^eit greift um fic^.
u. (5r ^at e« im öJriff*
(gr fängt ©ritten.
dv tut gro^*
(5r fommt auf feinen grünen
3meig.
dv ging ber @ac^e auf benörunb»
Qm (^ruttbc ift er ein guter
mann.
(5r ift non ©runbe au6 fdilec^t.
(5r ging gu ©runbe*
Sr l^at mirf) ^u ©runbe gerichtet.
5Iu« biefem ©runbe folgt,
bringen (Sie 3*^rem SSater ^er^^
lic^e ©rüfje öon mir.
©rügen (Sie Q^ttn 3Sater üon
mir!
@r lägt Sie grüben»
@ie ift i^m gut.
X)u f)aft gnt reben.
He can see through a brick
wall.
He had to bite the dust.
I wish you a happy New Year.
That won't worry me.
That is as clear as noonday.
They lent him a helping hand.
Everything fits (in) beautifully.
The disease is spreading.
He has the knack of it.
He is low-spirited.
He puts on airs.
He will never succeed.
He examined the matter thor-
oughly.
At heart he is a good man.
He is thoroughly bad.
He perished (was ruined).
He ruined me.
Hence it follows.
Give my kind regards to your
father.
Remember me to your father.
He wishes to be remembered
to you.
She is in love with him.
It is all very well for you to
talk.
GERMAN IDIOMS
41
(5§ ge^t i^m gut>
(Bo ip gut!
i^affen (Sie eö gut fein !
§eute ift gut ge^etu
^a§ ()alte id) Sitten gu gute,
T)a6 !ommt 3^i^^tt p gute,
T)a§ fc^reibe id) ^^nen gu gute.
(5ö fann ganj gut fein'.
He is getting along well.
That will do.
Let that pass. Don't mind.
The walking is good to-day.
I excuse that in you.
That goes to your benefit.
I will credit you with that.
It is very likely so.
#
(56 ift fein gute^ ^aav an i^m.
(Cf. a^ ift feine gnte Slbcr an
it)m. (S6 ift fein gnter gaben
an i^m).
(Sie liegen einanber in ben
^carcu.
1)a fte^en einem bie §carc ju
^erge.
(5r ift nic^t nnt ein §oar beffer
al6 fie.
(gg ^at nidjt^ auf fic^. )
(E^ f}ai nid)t6 p fagen. |
Sie §oben rec^t,
Q^ f)aht e§ int 2)kgen.
Sie ift noc^ 3U ^bcn,
2öa6 ^oft bu benn? (Cf. Sa«
fe^It 3{)nen?).
3(^ i^aht e6 t)on i^m,
(S§ frä^t fein §a^n banad^,
Söa§ ein ^äfdjcn irerben tüiU,
frümmt fid) beizeiten.
!Die Sac^e ^at einen §afcn»
He is a good-for-nothing.
They are quarreling.
That makes one's hair stand
on end.
He is not a bit better than she.
It is of no consequence.
You are right.
My stomach is out of order.
She is still single.
What is the matter with you ?
I heard it from him.
Nobody cares a straw about it.
As the twig is bent, the tree is
inclined.
It is not as easy as it looks.
42
GERMAN IDIOMS
($r liegt mir immer auf bem
§alfc,
dx ftürgte über ^aU unb ^opf.
^(eib mir bamit öom §alf c !
(Sr lachte auö üoüem §a(fc.
^^alf5^ 9}^aun
(Sr ^äli eine 9f?ebe.
äßofitr galten ®ie mi(^?
3c^ ^altc eö für au^gemadjt.
Sdj ^altc 8ie frei.
^d) italic Die( lum il^m.
(Sie Ijält t)ie( auf (djöne 5lleiber.
T^er iföeitt ^ält nirfjt.
T)it\t R-arbe ^It uid)t, (Cf.
!Diefe garbe gc^t au§).
3(i) ^(te mic^ im gaufe.
@^ ^ä(t ein Sagen iior ber 3^ür.
§änbe bat)on! (Cf. Ringer ba*
t)on!).
(Sie (eben auö ber ^aub in ben
(Sie I)at ade §änbc üoH gu tun.
^a^ liegt auf ber §aiib.
(5r trägt fie auf ben ^änben.
^6) tue baö auf eigene |)anb,
(Set)en (Sie it)m auf bie |)änbc!
SSor ber §anb bleiben U)ir l^ier.
Qci^ faufte bie 9}löbe( au§ 3n)eiter
He sticks to me like a burr.
He fell head over heels.
Don't bother me with it.
He roared with laughter.
Shut up.
He is making a speech.
What do you take me for ?
I consider it settled.
I will treat.
I think a great deal of him.
She is very partial to fine
clothes.
The wine does not keep well.
This color fades.
I keep in the house.
There is a carriage stopping
before the door.
Hands off !
They live from hand to mouth.
She has her hands full.
That is evident.
He makes a great deal of her.
He treats her with great
tenderness.
I do this on my own responsi-
bility.
Keep an eye on him.
For the present we stay here.
I bought the furniture second
hand.
GERMAN IDIOMS
4S
(Ex tft bei ber ^an's^.
'^cv fäTti]t immer ^änbcl an.
Um toa^ ijan^dt e^ fid)?
!Der l)anbclt immer narf) feinem
Öügen,
!Der JjäiiQt an ®e(b.
5lUe^, rva^ brum unb bran fjängt
SSa^ §än§rf)Ctt nidjt lernt, lernt
^an^ nimmermel)r.
(£-d ^^ert mit ber (^adje.
(5r geriet in ^ttrntfrf).
!t)a liegt ber §afc im Pfeffer.
(Cf. !Da liegt ber ^uitb be*
graben).
ÜDu bift ein §afcnfu^.
@ie ift unter bie ^aube ge!om=
men.
(5r n)arf il)n über ben Raufen.
353ann gel)en <Sie nad) §oufe ?
(5^ ift niemanb su $aufc.
9?^ein 33ater ift t>on §aufc.
2Ö0 finb (Sie in §auf e ?
^ei un^ p §aufe ift ba« anber^.
Sr ift t)on §aufc au^ reic^.
«Sie ^aben i^m §ou§ unb gof
genommen,
^r ift ein fibele^ ^cug.
(5r ift mit I)ei(er §attt baüon ge=
fommen.
Qä) möchte aue ber ^ani fahren.
He is at hand.
He is always picking a quarrel.
What is it all about ?
He always takes his own way.
The boy is inclined to lie.
He is very fond of money.
Everything connected with it.
You can't teach an old dog
new tricks.
There's a hitch in the matter.
He flew into a passion.
There's the rub.
You are a coward.
She has gotten married.
He cast him aside.
When are you going home ?
There is no one at home.
My father is away from home.
Wehere do you come from ?
In our country that is different.
He was born rich.
They took all he had.
He is a jolly good fellow.
He escaped unharmed.
This is enough to drive one
wild.
44
GERMAN IDIOMS
Sie ^ci^ctt Sie?
mit f^dit baö auf ^Deutfc^ ?
Sa§ fott \>a^ Reiften? (Cf. Sa«
foK ba« ^ebcutctt?).
!Da« lüill nirf)t« Reiften,
a^ §ci^t, er [ei gefä^rlirf) franf.
(S« fotl ni(J)t Reißen, baß . , .
§ier Ijci^t e« aufgepaßt !
dv ^Icfj mirf) fommeu.
!Da§ ^et^t öefal)reu!
3:c^ !omme l)eute ahcn'S), ba«
^eigt, treuu id} fann (ba§
^eißt frequently b. ^♦).
e« ^eifit in ber ^ibel.
!5)a§ ^lei^t foüiel mie lügen.
mtä fjil]t nid)t.
3^m ift nic^t ju l^clfen,
T)k f)tUtn ATränen fielen i{)r im
luge.
5l(Ieö ift bis auf ben leisten ^th
kr be5al)(t.
dv ift feinen roten fetter tütxt
§oI bic^ ber Üleufel!
23o finb (Sie ^er?
(5« ift mit i^m nid)t njeit ^cr,
(5§ ift fc^on t)iele 3at)re ^cr,
§cratt^ mit ber ©prad)e!
können (Sie mir auf 10 ^avl
herausgeben?
©§ fommt auf einö ^erauS»
©§ iommt nid)t« babei ^crouS.
What is your name ?
What is this called in German ?
What do you mean by that ?
That does not matter.
It is reported that he is dan-
gerously ill.
It shall not be said that . . .
You will have to pay attention
He bade me come. [here.
That's what I call driving.
I will come this evening, that
is, if I can.
The Bible says.
That is the same as lying.
All is in vain.
He is past recovery.
Her eyes are filled with tears.
Everything is paid to the last
cent.
He isn't worth a red cent.
The deuce take you 1
Where are you from ?
He is no great shakes.
It is many years ago.
Out with it.
Can you give me change for
ten marks ?
It amounts to the same thing.
There is nothing to be gained
by it.
GERMAN IDIOMS
45
(5r nimmt ftc^ t)te( ^crauö*
g^ ftctttc fic^ i)cxan^, ha^ . , ,
§ ereilt!
SÖO ^Beti (Sie baö ]^er?
(So gel^t e^ in ber 2öe(t ^er*
' Sr lebt tüie unfer ^crrgott in
granfreid). (Cf. gr lebt in
(Sau^ nnb JBrau^).
Sollen bie §errf(i^aftett nnn
fpeifen?
S^ ge^t alle§ mit mir ^er«m,
(Sr treibt fic^ in ber Seit ^erum
dv ift gang Ijcruntcr.
!^orau^ gcf)t ^ertior^ bag , . ,
^6) tue e^ oon ^cr^cn gem,
Qd) !ann eö nic^t libera ^crg
bringen.
T)a^ liegt mir am ^erjciu
TOr ift fo n)ot)l umö ^crj.
(5r ^at ®elb loie §e«, (Cf. (gr
^at ®elb bie 9Kcttöc).
33^it ben Sßölfen mu§ man ^cu*
len»
§ettte morgen !am i(^ an.
§eute abenb reife ic^ ah.
^cutc oor aä)t klagen ftarb er-
beute über o^t S^age fängt bie
Scl)nle an.
ipctttjtttage mac^t man e^ nic^t
mel)r fo.
(5r fommt nur ^tc unb ba.
liDer ^icli fit^t.
He is very presumptuous.
It proved (turned out) that . .
Come in.
Where did you get it ?
That's the way of the world.
He is having a high old time.
Will the ladies and gentlemen
dine now ?
I am dizzy.
He roves all over the world.
He is in reduced circum-
stances.
Hence it follows that . . .
I do it with all my heart.
I can not bring myself to do it.
I can not find it in my heart.
It is very dear to me.
I feel so well (happy).
He has money to burn.
When in Rome, do as the Ro-
mans do.
I arrived this morning.
I leave this evening.
He died this day week.
This day week school begins.
Nowadays we do not do so.
He only comes now and then.
That is a home-thrust.
46
GERMAN IDIOMS
^er ^ttttmcl pngt t^m öoüer
:^a6getgen.
(§^ ift no(^ lange ^in,
DJiein ®elb ift (jtm
(5r !am l)itt utib irieber. (Cf. (gr
fommt ah unb ju. (gr fommt
nur f)it unb ba. dx fd)reibt
bann unb lüann).
So fott ba^ rjinau^?
äöie bringen Sie bie i^dt ijin?
So bcttfctt (gie l^itt?
!iDa bin ic^ fc^ön (jincingcfatten!
So ift mein ^od ^ingcfommen?
^6) weig nid)t, njo ic^ it)n ^intutt
fori.
So itfoUtn (Bit f^'in?
^uv ni^t fo ^t^tg !
©ie (See ge^t ^d^.
Sir njo^nen brei Zvtpptn f)oä).
Sie ift Ijöc^fteng 17 ^aljve alt.
(5r mac^t if)r ben §of.
!Der :53atIon ging in bie $öf)c,
(5r !ommt in bie §ö^e»
Sie finb auf bem ^olsmege,
!Da6 lägt fid) ^örcit.
Waffen Sie balb t»on fic^ ^örcn,
§Dre nic^t auf i^n.
dv ^örte nid)t auf meine Sorte.
^d) \)aht fagen prcn.
Sei ^ü6f(^ artig ! (Cf . Sei fein
artig!).
dv \)at aüe^ in §üöe unb gülle.
He sees the bright side of
everything.
It will be a long time.
My money is gone.
He came now and then.
Where is this to end ?
How do you spend the time ?
What are you thinking of ?
I am sold.
What has become of my coat ?
I can't place him.
Where are you going ?
Just keep cool.
The sea runs high.
We live on the fourth floor.
She is only seventeen at most.
He pays court to her.
The balloon went up.
He is rising in the world.
You are on the wrong track. .
That sounds well.
Write soon.
Do not listen to him.
He did not heed my words.
I have heard it said.
Be sure to be good.
He has everything in abun-
dance.
GERMAN IDIOMS
4t
J)a liegt ber ^uitb begraben.
(Cf. !Da liegt ber §ofc im
Pfeffer).
(Seien @ie auf Ql}vcx ^nt
§utc bic^ Dor i^m.
There's the rub.
Be on your guard.
Beware of him.
Sie tarnen Sie auf biefe Sbee ?
(Sr I)at eine fi^^e Sbcc.
SBie gro§ er aud) immer fei.
^r ift hod) immer bein SSater.
Qd) bin noc^ immer berfelben
3)^einung.
iSr tommt immer noc^ nid)t.
ga^re nur immer ^u !
3d) fcigte e^ if)m immer lieber.
T)it Sonne fd)ien immer geller.
3nbcm er bie» fagte, öffnete er
ba^ genfter.
33ier^erfonen I)aben biefe^^au^
innc.
dv f)idt piöi^üd) innc.
5Öa^ nur irgcnb mögüd) ift.
dv ift irgenbmo im §aufe.
Qd) Ujerbe an i^m irre.
dx rebet irre.
i^affen Sie fid) md)t irre mad)en l
1)a irren Sie fi^.
(5r !ann fi^ irren.
!^a finb Sie in ^J^rtum.
What put that in your head ?
He has a set notion. He's
got the idea in his head.
However tall he may be.
He is your father after all.
I am still of the same opinion.
He i§ not coming yet.
Drive on.
I told him again and again.
The sun shone more and more
brightly.
While saying this he opened
the window.
Four persons occupy this house.
He stopped suddenly.
Whatever is possible.
He is somewhere in the house.
I don't know what to make of
He talks nonsense. [him.
Don't be disconcerted.
You are wrong there.
He may be mistaken.
In that you are mistaken.
48
GERMAN IDIOMS
s
!Da finb <Bk ja !
^efu(i)en (gte un^ ja balb.
(5^ ift f^tücr, ja fogar untnögltd^.
Qd) fag'te eg ja*
!^u fc^tdft eg mir; ja?
go, ttjag t(^ fagen tpollte.
@r jagte fic^ eine ^ugel buriJ)
ben ^opf,
(^r ift f(^on bei galten»
2öenn man in bie.S^^i^c fommt.
@ie finb noc^ in ^^xtn beften
3a^rctt. (Cf . dx ift im f c^ön-
ften3llter).
Über 3a§r nnb Stag treffen irir
nng mieber.
Da fi^t er ja^rang, jahrein.
!Dag ift ber n)al)re 3a!ob !
kommen @ie, jc e'fier je lieber,
3e gtüei SJZänner mußten ein*
treten.
3e nad) ben Umftänben, (Cf.
(gg fommt baranf an),
3e na(i)bem bie SSerpltniffe eg
geftatten.
Sugenb l^at feine ^ugenb.
Why, there you are !
Be sure to call on us soon.
It is difficult, nay, impossible.
I said so, didn't I ?
You will send it to me ; won't
you?
By the way, as I was going to
say.
He blew out his brains.
He is well along in years.
When one gets along in years.
You are still in the prime of
life.
Some time we will meet again.
There he sits from one year's
end to the other.
This is the real thing (iron.) I
That's the ticket.
Come, the sooner the better.
Two men had to enter at a
time.
That all depends.
All according to circumstances.
Boys will be boys.
GERMAN IDIOMS
49
(gg überlief mtc^ MU
T)a^ lägt mtc^ fait
Slbenb^ famicgie^ert er.
T)a§ ift fapntt gegangen.
Qd) l)abe tl)m in bie Garten ge*
gucft.
!^ag ift für bie ^a^c.
(S^ ift !aum 3U glauben.
(gie fe^en mir baö 9}|effer an
bie Ec^lc»
(g^ ift feine ai^t 2^age feit er ^ier
n)ar.
3S3o ^aben <Sie i^n fenncn ler=
nen?
(5r ift ein OJ^ann tion grünblicljen
.tcnntttiffen.
(Se^en @ie ba§ aufö ^erfc^ol^ !
(£r ift fcrngefunb.
«Sie gingen mit ^inb unb ^egel.
@r giegt baS Einb mit bem ^abe
an«.
^'c^ mad^e il^n firre.
Wlit i^m ift nicf)t gut ^irfc^en
effen.
ÜDie @ac^e Uappt ntd)t.
Qd) bin nic{)t gang im llattn*
Kleiber machen Öeute.
(3thtn (Sie mir ein flcin wenig.
I was shivering. My blood ran
cold.
That doe» not affect me.
In the evening he talks politics.
That is ruined (gone, dead).
I saw through his designs.
That is good for nothing.
It is hardly to be believed.
You drive me to the last ex-
tremity.
It is not a week since he was
here.
Where did you make his ac-
quaintance ?
He is a man of thorough knowl-
edge.
Charge that up.
He is the picture of health.
They went bag and baggage.
He rejects the good with the
bad.
I will tame him (down).
It is hard to get along with
him.
That won't do. That won't
hold together.
I do not quite see my way as
yet.
Fine feathers make fine birds.
Give me a small quantity.
50
GERMAN IDIOMS
dx tft urn ein !Icinc§ grower ale
id,.
T)a^ tüugte id) »on flctii auf.
dx fi^t in ber ^Icmmc.
^er geinb mußte , über bie
klinge fpringen.
@r ift ntc^t xtd}t flug.
3c^ fcinn barau§ nic^t flug lüer*
ben.
(5r ift mit fna^^er 9^ot baöonge^
fommen. (Cf. dx tarn mit
genauer 9^ot burd^).
Qd) laffe meine :53üd)er öon
33ei1in fommen.
Sie finb @ie barauf gcfommcn?
^, Sßir fonnten nid)t ^u Sorte fom-
men.
dx trirb nie ju ttrva^ fommen.
3e^t fommt e^ an hi^, (Cf.
3efet bin ic^ bran. !Die ^ci^c
ift an mir).
Sie fommt eö, ba§ . . .?
dx ift um fein gan^e^ 33ermögen
gefommen. (Cf. dx bringt
mid) urn alk^).
dx ift mir auö ben Singen gc«
fommen.
Sie {)oc^ fommt e^ gu fte^en?
(So muffen «Sie mir nid)t fom*
men.
3*0) ^ätte e§ tun fönncn.
He is a little taller than I am.
I knew that from childhood.
He is in a tight place.
The enemy was put to the
sword.
He is a little off.
I can not make head or tail of
it.
He had a narrow escape.
I send to Berlin for my books.
How did you happen to think
of it?
We could not get in a word.
He will never amount to any-
thing.
Now it is your turn.
How does it happen that . . . ?
He lost his whole fortune.
I have lost sight (track) of
him.
How much is it ?
You can not speak like that to
me.
I might have done it.
GERMAN IDIOMS
51
„2öarum btft bu nic^t gefom^
men?" „Qd) l)abe md)t gc«
lomt"
Qd) ton nid)t mel)r.
3?c^ fann mid) irren.
Sie Jönnen e§ mir glauben.
Äann ic^ je^t ge^en?
?aufe, tüa^ bu lannft
1)06 fann td) auc^.
tonnen (Sie !Deutfd)?
T)ag tann id) au^hjenbig.
Qdj fann nirf)t um^in, eö ju
tun.
3c^ fann nic^tö bafür.
T)a« fann ii^ mir nic^t auö bem
to^fe fd)(agen.
^dj it)in i^m ben üopf toa\d\tn.
2Ba« l)at er fid) in ben to^f
gefegt?
Sir ftedten unfere Äö^fe gu*
fammen.
Qd) \üiU i^m nid)t an ben Slo^f
fto§en.
@r lägt ben to^f l^ängen.
(5« ge^t nid)t an to^f unb ^ra^
gen.
T)er lüiü überall mit bem Äo^f
burd).
ÜDa« ift mir über ben ^o^f ge*
n)ad)fen.
(Sr l^at große ^ofinen im to^f.
©a« mad)t mir ^^fjerörcd^en.
" Why didn't you come ? " "I
couldn't."
I am quite exhausted.
I may be mistaken.
You may believe me.
May I go now ?
Run as fast as you can.
I can do that too.
Do you know German ?
I know that by heart.
I can not help but do it.
It is not my fault.
I can not get this out of my
head.
I will give him a blowing up.
What has he got into his head.?
We put our heads together.
I do not wish to offend him.
He is down in the mouth.
It is not a matter of life and
death.
He is a rash (or stubborn)
fellow.
That is too much for me.
He has big ideas.
I am racking my brains over
this.
62
GERMAN IDIOMS
(Sie gab t^m einen ^orB.
(gr \)at einen ^ovh befommen.
y (5r ift ein Wann üon ed)tem
(Sd)rot unb ^onu
3(f| cjel)e bei meinem Vorüber in
bie ^oft
(5e I}at mir öiel M^t gcfoftct
^6 ge^t i^m an ben Stragcn,
'Da^ pa^t gerabe in feinen ^ram.
(5r liegt fron! am gieber.
gltr ben Xoh ift !ein Bvant ge*
n)arf)fen.
(Sr ge^t ben ^reBSgaitg.
dv fte^t bei mir in ber treibe.
@ö l)at jeber fein ^euj»
,. or frod) ;^u trcuje,
^u iüirft'ö aber hricgen !
T)a6 fe^t ber <Bad)t bie .^rone
anf.
5öa« ift i()m in bie ^rone ge*
fahren.
Qd) Iad)te mi^ frumm»
(5e gibt ^eute nnr falte Mä)c.
T)a^ tüeig ber ^nänä I
!Die ^inber fpieten mnhttnf).
$3a« f ümmcrt mic^ ba« ?
3cf) fiimmere mi(^ nic^t barum.
T)a6 ift feine ^m]t
(Bit f)aben alle^ furj unb flein
gefcfitagen.
She refused him (gave him the
mitten.)
He got the mitten.
He is a man of the right sort.
I board with my brother.
It has cost me much pains.
It may cost him his head.
That just suits his purpose.
He is down with a fever.
There is no remedy for death.
He is on the decline.
He is indebted to me.
Every one has his troubles.
He humbled himself.
You'll catch it.
That caps the climax.
What has angered him ?
I split my sides laughing.
We shall have only cold meat
to-day.
The deuce knows.
The children play blindman's
buff.
What do I care ?
I do not trouble my head about
it.
Any one can do that.
They smashed everything.
GERMAN IDIOMS
53
(Sie tarn ^u furj*
Qd) 3iel)e immer ben furjcreit»
^urj unb gut, bu mu^t fort.
(Ir ift öor furjem gefommen.
She came off a loser.
I always get the worst of it.
In short, you must go.
He came a short time ago.
2
I
2Ba6 9ibt'6baguIa<iÖctt?
:Da^ ©liicf lac^t i{)m.
ÜDer 3Dlatrofe ^at fd)ief gclabcn»
ÜDie Sabctt ber ^äben finb ge*
fc^Ioffen.
gaben ®ie biefen 5lrti!e( auf
Sagcr?
2Btr n)of)nen auf bem 2ant^t.
äßir ge{)en auf^ Sanb.
Sir reifen ^u 2an'^t.
@r l^at Sanb unb 8eute gefe^en.
§ier in Satibe trinft man 2öaf*
fer.
!Die 3^it iüirb mir lang.
dt \!jat fein ßeben lang gearbeitet.
(iö ift fd)on lange ^er.
@r mirb eö nid)t mel)r lange
macf)en.
Qd) ^abe Sangcmcile.
Saffen «Sie micf) nur machen,
(gr Iä§t mit fi^ reben.
Wldn S3ater lägt 3^^^^ fagen.
(5r lägt fic^'^ gut fcfjmeden.
3(f) Ite| mir einen ^ocf marf)en.
What is there to laugh at ?
Fortune smiles upon him.
The sailor is half-seas over.
The shutters of the stores are
closed.
Do you have this article in
stock ?
We live in the country.
We are going to the country.
We (will) travel by land.
He has seen the world.
In this country we drink water.
Time hangs heavy on my
hands.
He worked all his life.
It is a long time ago.
He is at death's door.
I am bored.
Just leave me alone in this.
He listens to reason.
My father desires me to tell
you.
He is making a hearty meal.
I had a coat made.
64
GERMAN IDIOMS
(gr Hefe ben 5Ir^t ^olen.
ßaffen 6ie ha^l
3(f) merbe e§ fern laffcit»
^tefe (Zigarren laffcn [id) rau^
(f)en.
Da§ Iä§t fid) (etd)t benlen.
(5ö (ä§t fi^ tun.
@r rt)etg fic^ nt(^t ju loffcn öor
^reube.
SBlr lüollen btr ntc^t ^ur Saft
fatten,
@eben @ie ber ©at^e freien Sauf!
Waffen (Sie it)n laufen!
(5r erhielt feinen Sauf^a^,
(Sie finb ^eute bei fc^lec^ter
Saune.
dv gab feinen Saut öon fic^. (Cf.
dv gibt feinen Xon üon fid).)
Sie lautet ber :Q3rief?
mt lautet baö britte ®ebot ?
(5^ finb lauter junge !^eute.
dv hht in ben Xag f)inein.
@r ujeig 5U leben,
(5r foü leben!
Sebc mo^t !
jDa6 ge^t i^nt an« ScBcu,
!5)o« f)abe id) mein SeBtag nid)t
gefe^en.
He sent for the doctor.
Leave that alone. Don't.
I will leave it alone.
These cigars are not so bad.
You can (easily) imagine (that).
It is practicable.
He is beside himself with joy.
We do not wish to be a burden
on you.
Let the matter take its own
course.
Let him go.
He received his walking pa-
pers.
You are in bad humor to-day.
He did not utter a sound.
How does the letter run ?
What is the third command-
ment?
They are all young people.
He lives without an object in
life.
He is accustomed to good so- >
ciety.
Here is to his health.
Good-bye I
His life is at stake.
I never saw the like in all my
bom days.
GERMAN IDIOMS
56
(5r rebet t)on ber Scbcr meg. (Cf.
®er nimmt fein ^lait öor ben
Wlnnh. (gr n)tl( gletc^ mit ber
^ür in« §auö faden)»
(gr ging leer aus.
3(f) lege fein @ett)i^t barauf.
gat er 3^^nen etmaS in ben SSeg
gelegt?
'^ex legt firf) auf« betteln.
(5r legte firf) in« ü)?ittel.
(gr ift bei einem 8d)neiber in ber
T)ie 3^it tt)irb e« lehren.
(5r ^at (S^re im fieibe,
3^un (Sie e« bei Scibe nid)t !
bleiben @ie mir bamit öom
ßetbc*
dx ^at Ict(^te§ @piet mit i^m.
@r er!ä(tet fid) leicht*
(g« tut mir leib»
^« tut mir leib um i^n.
(5r tat firf) ein £etb§ an. (Cf.
(gr gab firf) ben Xot^. dx t)at
firf) um« ^eben gebro^t).
$ßa« ()aben (Sie i^m juleibe ge*
tan?
S^ fann il)n nirf)t leiben*
(ir leibet i^n nic^t im 3ttnmer.
(Sr leibet an ben ^f^erüen.
ßeibcr !ann i^ e« nirf)t änbem.
He speaks bluntly.
He came off empty-handed.
I attach no importance to it.
Has he put any obstacle in
your way ?
He relies on begging.
He interposed.
He is apprenticed to a tailor.
Time will show.
He is a man of honor.
Do not do it as you value your
life.
Do not bother me about that.
He can manage him easily.
He catches cold easily.
I am sorry.
I feel sorry for him.
He committed suicide.
What have you done to offend
him ?
I can't bear the sight of him.
He will not tolerate him in the
room.
He has a nervous complaint.
Unfortunately (I am sorry to
say) I cannot change it.
56
GERMAN IDIOMS
(B^ tft immer bie alte Scter, (Cf.
(5r ftimmt immer luieber bie
alte l^eier an)*
Der mtn\^ benft, ®ott lenft,
Da§ lernt fic^.
Der §err "iprofeffor Heft @e*
f(i)i(i^te.
§eute irirb tiii^t gclefcn»
Qx lieft i^m bie Ü^eöiten.
^u guter Se^t trurbe er einge*
ftecft.
(5e Icnt^tct.
Da§ Icnt^tct in bie 5lugen.
dv fennt feine Scnte. (Cf. ^d)
!enne meine ^a^^cn^etmcr).
(Sie !am in ber Sentc 3J?unb.
Die @ac^e mirb anö ßit^t ge^
hxad)t
(5r fül)rte mic^ ^interg Sid^t.
Du Heöcr §immel !
Dae ift mir HeB.
SBenn Q^ntn 3l)r Seben licB ift,
fo f(i)n)eigen (Sie !
Sie ^at i^n Hc5»
(5e tvcLVt mir Heb, trenn . . ,
3d) arbeite ben Heben langen
^ag.
3run Sie mir bie Siebe !
^un Sie e§ mir suHcBe.
3:d) trinfe lieber 9Bein ale ^ier.
3c^- möchte Heber fterben.
Sie fommen Heber nii^t.
Der Gärtner Hcfcrt un§ ®emüfe.
It is the same old story.
Man proposes, God disposes.
You get used to it.
The professor lectures on his-
tory.
There are no lectures to-day.
He is giving him a lecture.
To wind up with he was put in
jail.
It lightens.
That is evident.
He knows with whom he has
to deal.
She became common talk.
The matter will be brought to
light.
He deceived me.
Good heavens !
I am glad of it.
Keep silent as you value your
life.
She is fond of (loves) him.
I should like it if . . .
I work the livelong day.
Do me the favor.
Do it to please me.
I prefer wine to beer.
I should rather die.
You'd better not come.
The gardener supplies us with
vegetables.
GERMAN IDIOMS
67
(gr ift geliefert,
^iv lk(\t nid)t^ baran.
Sa^ liegt 3^nen baran?
Soran liegt e^, baB . . . ?
(So liegt an mir.
1)aran liegt e^ eben.
^ie (Stabt liegt nörbüc^ öon
iöerltn.
®o trie bte «Sa^en liegen,
!l)ieö ®e)e^ foK in erfter Sinie
ben ^Iderban förbern.
Qd) lobe mir ben grteben.
2öir ftecf en bi^ in^ 2oä^.
(Sr ^at mic^ über ben Söffel bar^
biert. (Cf. @ie I)aben il)n
über^ Oi}v genauen).
(E^ lo^nt fid) ber Wil^t nxd)t
(Cf. a^ ift verlorene 9Jlü^e),
Saöiftlo^?
^er 2:eufel ift lo^.
3c^ ton i^n nict)t lo§ hjerben.
(Sr ging auf mic^ lo§.
3c^ fttge mi(^ bon i^m lo§,
gaben @ie 3^^re ga^rfarte ge«
löft?
-3c^ ^abe l)eute nid)t^ gelöft,
(Sr machte feinem §ergen ßnft.
X)a0 ift au§ ber ßnft gegriffen.
(Sr ^at i^n an bie ßnft gefegt.
(5r ftrafte mid) ßügen,
gaben (Sie Suft f^jajieren ju
get)en?
He is lost.
I don't care a rap about it.
What does it matter to you ?
What is the cause that . . . ?
It is my fault.
That is just it.
The city is situated north of
Berlin.
As matters stand.
This law is intended primarily
to promote agriculture.
There is nothing like peace.
We will put you in jail.
He fleeced me.
It is hardly worth while.
What's the matter ?
There's the devil to pay.
I can't get rid of him>
He came straight for me.
I renounce him.
Have you bought your ticket ?
I have taken in no money
to-day.
He unbosomed himself.
That is pure fiction.
He put him out.
He gave me the lie.
Do you feel like taking a walk ?
58
GERMAN IDlöiMS
^d) mil ttir bte Suft ^um ttat^
fd)en vertreiben.
I'll make her sick of gossiping.
m
Qd) maä}tt it)r meine 5lufn)ar==
tung.
T)aö lüerbe iä) fc^on mod)ciu
T)a^ maä}t nid)t^,
Sa^ machen ^ie?
Sa^ ift ba p matten?
3ßiet)iel mat^t breimal öier?
3öaö foil ic^ bamit marfien?
Um e^ !ur3 p mattem
Qd) (äffe mir einen D^ocf machen»
*ä)Za(^ett (Sie fic^ an bie 5lrbeit !
(So mirb fic^ fc^on machen,
'^lad), baB bn f ortfommft !
mai^ bod)l
,,Sie mad^t ber §unb?" „3öan-
Jüan."
(5r ift ein gemachter Tlaun,
(®efegnete) SJlnilsclt!
(Se^en @ie mal!
9)Mtt fagt.
Wlan flopft.
^on fann e« tun.
(5g mangelt mir an ®e(b.
(5r lägt eg fic^ an nic^tg mangeln.
(5r !ann eg nic^t an ben Wlam
bringen. (Cf. tiefer ®e=
lehrte fann fein Stiffen nic^t
an ben OJ^ann bringen).
I paid my respects to her.
Just leave that to me.
Never mind that.
What are you doing ? How do
you do ?
What is to be done ?
How much is three times four ?
What shall I do with it ?
To cut it short. In short.
I am having a coat made.
Get to work.
It will come right in the end.
Get along with you.
Hurry up, won't you ?
<'What does the dog say?"
" Bow wow."
He is a made man. [dinner.
I hope you have made a good
Look here, will you ?
It is said.
Somebody is knocking.
Xt can be done.
I am short of money.
He does not deny himself any-
thing.
He can not find the opportu-
nity to show what he knows
(or can do).
GERMAK IDIOMS
5d
(Ir tft mdjt ^Jitttina genug, ha^
3u tun.
(Sr ftel)t feinen SJknn.
@elbft ift ber 9JJann»
(Sin' Sßort ein' SKanti.
-3^r SJiann tvav ni(i)t gu §aufe.
!Daö §eer 3ä^(te jtüan^igtaufenb
(St I)än9t ben ^Zantcl nac^ bem
SBinbe.
galten (Sie ftet^ 9)iag.
Sie ift über alle SJlagen ftot^.
(So ift mit il)m SKatt^äi am leg-
ten.
I tein Sort me^r!
(go ift nic^t^ mc^r t>a,
(Sr ift lein ^inb me^r«
T)a§ Witt id) meinen !
Sie ift ba^ gemeint?
3d) meine e^ gut mit i^m.
!Dem n)iö id) meine SÄcinung
fagen.
Übung mad)t ben S^Jcifter.
SOlelben @ie mid) bei ^^^'^i'
@errfd)aft.
(Sr ):}at fid) !ran! gcmclbet.
(gr i)at ®elb bie 9Kenge. (Cf.
dv l)at (^elb n)ie §cu).
a^ ift fein SiJlenfd^ gu ©aufe.
!Dag 8anb ift feit 9Jlcnf(^|cn (^e-
benfen frei gen)efen.
He has not the courage
(strength) to do this.
He holds his (own) ground.
If you want anything done, do
it yourself.
An honest man is as good as
his word.
Her husband was not at home.
The army numbered 20,000
men.
He is a time-server.
Always keep within bounds.
She is proud beyond measure.
It is all up with him.
Not another word.
There is nothing left.
He is no longer a child.
I should say so.
What do you mean by that ?
I mean well by him.
I will give him a piece of my
mind.
Practice makes perfect.
Announce me to your mistress.
He reported sick.
He has lots of money.
There is not a soul at home.
The country has been free
from time immemorial.
60
GERMAN miOMS
(Sollte mir toa^ SKenfc^Hc^c^ be=
gegnen.
9Jlcr!ctt(Sie fid) baö!
(Sr Ue§ fic^ ha^ nid)t merfcn»
3c^ fc^tcfte bie ^ürfjer mit ber
^oft.
SöolIetifSie mithalten?
kommen Sie mit?
©fielen (Sie mit?
SBo mog er ha^ gel^ört ^oben ?
3^d) mag nirf)t ge^en.
3rf) möchte gern au^gef)en.
ga^ren (Sie mögü^ft fc^nelf !
3d) werbe mein möglic^ftcö tun.
(Cf. ^un (Sie Qi^v aufecr«
ftc§!).
!iDie Sac^e ift ber Wnf^t totxt
m ift üerlorene Wnfjt. (Cf. @S
Ui^ni fic^ ber 9«ü()e nicf)t).
(5r n)ei§ reinen SKunb gu l^alten.
Sie reben il)m nad) bem SKunbc,
<Sie nehmen mir \)a^ ^ort au^
bem SO^uttb»
!Daö ift auf mid) gemünst.
9Berma(^t9«ttfif?
^6) muß na(^ Berlin.
Qä) mu^te e§ tun, ^
3t^ ^abe e§ tun muffen. )
®erabe il)n mugte id) treffen.
If anything unforeseen should
happen to me.
Mark that.
He didn't show that he knew
anything about it. (Cf. He
didn't let on).
I sent the books by mail.
Will you join us ?
Are you coming along ?
Will you join us in a game?
Are you playing ?
Where can he have heard it ?
I do not wish to go.
I should like to go out.
Drive as fast as you can.
I shall do my utmost.
It is worth while.
It is wasted effort.
He knows how to keep a close
mouth.
They speak to please him.
I was going to say the same
thing.
That was intended for me.
Who is playing ?
I must go to Berlin.
I had to do it.
Whom should I meet but him.
GERMAN IDIOMS
61
(5r mu^ mof)( fran! fein.
(5^ mü^tc betin fein, ba^ er
frant lüäre.
mt lit SljMU ^n mute?
Wliv ift su miüc, aU ob . . .
äJ^ir inar fonberbar ju 9)?ute.
(Sie muffen Wlnt faffen.
@eien (Sie cjnten Wnit^l
9^ur nic^t ben 9Jlut üertoren !
Sie ift muttcrfeclenattetn»
I suppose he is ill.
Unless he is ill.
How do you feel ?
I feel as if . . .
I felt queer.
You must pluck up courage.
Be of good cheer.
Never say die.
She is absolutely alone.
m
3d) ge^e nacfj 9D^ünc^en. (Cf.
Qd) ge{)e §u meinem trüber).
5la(^ meiner U^rift e^ l)alb nenn.
T)a§ genfter ge()t nac^ bem gofe.
ä)2a(^en Sie mein ^leib md) ber
neneften SJJobe !
äÖir 3ei(^nen naä) ber D^atnr.
fQat jemanb tiac^ mir gefragt ?
Senn e§ naä) mir ginge.
a}2einer 3}2einung naä) follte er
ha^ m6)t tnn.
Sir gingen «od) bem §anfe p.
(Sr erf)o(te fic^ ttaci^ nnb nat^.
Tltint llt)r gc^t natf).
@r lam mir nad^,
aJian !ann i^m nur ®utee md)'
fagctt.
Well, going to be all day about
it?
I am going to Munich.
By my watch it is half-past
eight.
The window lopks on the yard.
Make my dress in the latest
style.
We draw from nature.
Did any one ask for me ?
If I had my way.
According to my opinion he
ought not to do this.
We went in the direction of
the house.
He recovered gradually.
My watch is slow.
He followed me.
Nothing but good can be said
of him.
62
GERMAN IDIOMS
^r mu§ l}eute narfjft^ctt»
^ei närf)ftcr Gelegenheit iDerbe
id) fct)reiben.
^XHan fott feinem ^lärfjften in ber
9^ot beifte()en.
3eber ift fic^ felbft ber 91ärf)ftc*
(Sr ift bei md}t unb ^J^ebel ba^
öongegangen.
9Btr nioüctt il)m nat^»
(Sr tvav naf)e baran ju ertrinfen.
(gein Xob gel)t mir naljc.
@ie ift auö ber S'lä^e,
(Sr ift ein Kaufmann namens
(mit 9bmeu) ^aner.
^er flaute tnt nid)t§ gnr ^ad)t.
(Sie ^at i^n jnm Plärren«
!I)a^ lag' irf) mir nic^t ttc^mcm
9lc^mett (Sie eö nic^t für nngnt.
(Cf. ^i(^t§ für ungut!),
(gr !)at feit brei Xagen nickte jn
fid) geuommcu.
9letu, itiie f onberbar !ann ha^ in
ber ^e(t gngeljen !
dv ift ein fet)r netter SJ^enfc^.
®lücfad)e^ ^leuja^r! profit
9leuja()r! (Cf. 3^^ gratuliere
3nm nenen 3a^i*e).
(Sie finb ein !^entf(^er, uic^t
tüa^r ?
(5^ ift lange, bafe icf) Sie niä^t
gefe^en ^abe.
He has to stay in (after school)
to-day.
I shall write at the first oppor-
tunity.
One must help his neighbor in
distress.
Charity begins at home.
He fled secretly.
Let's follow him.
He came near drowning.
His death affects me very
much.
She is from the neighborhood.
He is a merchant by the name
of Bauer.
The name is immaterial.
She is making a fool of him.
I won't be talked out of that.
I am firmly convinced of it.
Do not be offended.
He has taken no food in three
days.
Weir, what strange things can
happen in this world !
He is a very nice man.
A happy New Year.
You are a German, are you not?
It is a long time since I saw
you.
GERMAN IDIOMS
63
mit ttit^tCtt.
(5^ ift tt id) to mit il)m.
^enti e^ lueiter nic^tö ift.
!^a^ ^at ni^tö gu fagen.
Tliv ttit^t^, bir nit^t^.
©eben @ie mir not^' eine Xaff e !
«Sagen @ie e^ noc^ ein'mal !
!iDer Xeic^ ift ttO(§ ein'mal fo tief.
9loc^ geftern tvav er ^ter.
(5r fommt not^ biefe 3Boc^e.
SSer !ommt nod) ?
(gr l)at meter greunbe no^ ®e(b.
(5r ^at feine (iebe 9lot
(g^ tätt not, ic^ ginge jelbft.
3?m 9ltt mar er t)ier.
!Da eö nnn einmal' fo ift. (Cf.
a^ ift nun cinmar fo).
S^utt, marum gelten (Sie nic^t ?
3c^ ^abe nur greunbe an biefem
Orte.
3f^ ^ci^t greunbe nur an biefem
Orte,
ga^ren Sie nur meiter !
^äre id) nur an feiner Stelle !
Sagen Sie mir nur !
Sie !am er nur ^ier^er ?
3^ tue, fo üiet ic^ nur !ann.
S03U nü^t ba^ ?
By no means. ^ X
There is nothing in him.
If that is all.
That doesn't matter. ^
Without ceremony. Coolly. \
Give me another cup.
Say it again.
The pond is as deep again.
Only yesterday he was here. ^
He will come before the end ^
of the week.
Who else is coming ? ^
He has neither friends nor
money.
He has his own troubles. A
It would be best if I went my-
self.
He was here in a jiffy. ' <-
Since things are as they are.
Well, why don't you go ?
I have only friends in this ^
place.
I have friends in this place ^
only.
Just go on.
If only I were in his place.
Please tell me.
How in the world did he get
here ?
I do as much as ever I can. >
Of what good is it ?
64
GERMAN IDIOMS
Sßertüo^nt o6ctt ?
(gr fe^rt alleö ^u unterft unb ju
oBcrft
(5§ tft ntrf)t gan^ o^nc.
(5r l^at e§ Winter ben O^reiu
(Sie l)aben t^ti überö D^v ge^
^auen, (Cf. (Sr ^at mid^ über
ben Söffet barbiert).
SBir tüerben balb an Ort unb
(Stelle fein.
Who lives upstairs?
He turns everything upside
down.
There is some truth in it.
He is a sly one.
They have cheated him.
We shall soon reach our desti-
nation.
*
üDte geinbe njurben ju paaren
getrieben,
©eben (Sie mir ein ^aar 9J?ar! !
(Sie ^at i^n unter bem Pantoffel.
(Cf. dt Ijat fie unter bem
Daumen),
(5r ift ein ^antoffcl^clb..
Qä) fenne meine ^a^^cn^cimcr.
(Cf. Wallensteins Tod, 1.
1 8 7 1 : !l)aran erfenn' t^ meine
Pappenheimer, ^r fennt feine
T)a« tüirb um einen ^appcitfttel
üerfauft.
<Stnb «Sie mit öon ber ^arttc?
Soden tüir eine $artte 3B^ift
madden ?
^r mac^t eine gute '^axiXt.
!J)er §ut >^a^i mir nic^t.
The enemy were routed.
Give me a few marks.
She has him under her thumb.
He is a henpecked husband.
I know my man (men). {Often
iron.).
It will be sold for a mere trifle.
Will you join us in the trip ?
Shall we have a game of whist ?
He is making a good match.
The hat does not fit me.
GERMAN IDIOMS
65
©r pa^t ntrf)t für bte ^tefluncj.
:Da« pa^t Utt§ nid)t
'^a^ pa^t fid) nid)t.
@r ift ein luftiger ^atrun.
@r I)at ^er^.
(5r ()at t^m ben ^clj getrafdiem
<Bd}idtn <Sie mir meine :53riefe
^cr 5lbreffe §errn )R.
(g§ tft !ein 5lnfel)en ber ^crfon
»or ®ott.
3Sir pflegten dlaU miteinanber.
Wdn 35ater ^ffcgtc ju fagen,
SQ3ie man gu fagen pflegt
^3^e^men<Sie ^la^!
!Da^ ift l^ier nid)t am ^(a^e*
^lod) ift ^olcn nic^t verloren,
^er Äief !am mit ber heutigen
^oft.
Q6^ ge'^e ie^t auf bte ^oft,
(Schreiben (Sie gefäüigft mit um*
gel)enber $oft !
Qä) üerfenbe ha^ ^a!et' mit ber
*oft,
§ier ift ber (Schalter für ^oftIa=
ßcrnbe Senbungen»
Um feinen ^rei§ tue ic^ ba?>,
Waffen (Sie fid& nic^t ^retten !
5Bir ftetten tl)n auf bie ^toBc,
(Sr l)at hit Sßvoht beftanben.
Qd) nel)me (Sie auf ^roBc*
He is not adapted to the posi- /
tion.
That does not suit us.
That is not proper.
He is a jolly fellow.
He is in hard luck.
He gave him a good scolding.
Send my letters in care of
Mr. N.
God is no respecter of persons. V
We took counsel together.
My father used to say.
As the saying is.
Be seated.
That is out of place here.
All is not lost yet.
The letter came by to-day's
mail.
I am going to the postoffice
now.
Please write by return mail.
I am sending the package by
mail.
This is the general delivery-
window.
I will not do that for all the
world.
Don't let yourself be " done."
We put him to the test. /
He stood the test. y
I will take you on trial. y
66 GERMAN IDIOMS
(Sr marfitefuqen ^rojcgmttt^m. He made short work of him. /
(gr fing einen ^ro^c^ mit mir an. He instituted legal proceedings
against me.
dxtjat ba6 ^ulDcrnic^terfunben. He will never set the world on
fire.
^d) ftanb auf bem fünfte, (Sie I was on the point of asking
aufragen. you.
^er Sßnnit tft ein 3?nterpun^ The period is a punctuation x
tion§3eic!)en. mark.
(5r tarn '^unU 3 U^r. He came precisely at three
o'clock.
Unb bamit ^^Suttltum ! And there's an end of it.
SQJetn iBater tDo()nt quer gegen* My father lives diagonally
über. across the street.
dv ftreif te freu^ Unb qucr um^er. He wandered around in all
directions.
@ö tft i^m tttüCL^ in bie duerc Something has gone wrong
gefommen. with him.
T)Ci^ madjt un^ quiti That squares things between ^^
us.
91
(5r tft i>a^ fünfte 9lab om He is superfluous.
5S^agen.
(5r ift auger 9lanb unb ^anb. He is out of all bounds,
^r reitet @(^ufterg Üla^^cn» He goes on Shank's mare.
(5g vapptU bet it)m. He is not quite right in his
head.
Sir moden ben 3Irjt p 'Siait Let us call in the doctor.
Jtel)en.
GERMAN IDIOMS
6t
(gr treig immer ^at
X)a^vi tann dtat tüerben.
3:e^tfc^affen@te9lat!
$ier ift guter "^at teuer.
(5r treig ftc^ nidjt 3U raten.
T)a^ voax gut geraten.
9}?an !ann ntc^t auf i^n rcrfjnen.
(^ixi 3'a^r m6 aubere gerechnet.
!l)em marfje tcf) einen 9tric^ burd)
bie 9ied^nnng.
^enn mir rec^t ift.
OJ^ir foil e^ gang red^t fein.
Senn e§ 3^nen fo rec^t ift.
T)a finb @ie n)a§ ^Jet^tcig !
@ie !ommen eben rcrfjt»
^in id) f)ter rcrf)t ?
(ä^ ift rct^t fd)abe.
3c^ tue e§ rec^t gem.
9^Utt tue id^ eö erft red^t nid)t.
!^a bift bu an ben 91cd)tctt ge-
fommen.
(gie ^aben rec^t.
Qd:} gebe if)m rcd|t.
^on ^tä)t^ n)egen ^ätte id) e^
ni(^t tun foHen.
(5r fiel mir in bie 9iebe.
I^ie 9flebe fie( auf unferen Öel^rer.
!Dat)on ift feine ^t't>t.
Soöon ift bie 9lcbe?
He always knows what to do.
That may be easily managed.
Now tell us what to do.
We are in a dilemma.
He does not know what to do.
That was a good guess.
He is not to be depended
upon.
Taking one year with another.
I will upset his plans.
If I am not mistaken.
I am quite agreeable to it.
If you are agreeable.
You think you are something
great.
You come just in tim».
Is this the right place ?
It is a great pity.
I will do it with the greatest
pleasure.
Now I will do it less than ever.
You found your match there.
You are right.
I agree with him.
By right I should not have
done it.
He interrupted me.
The conversation turned upon
our teacher.
That is not the question.
What is it all about ?
68
GERMAN IDIOMS
ßö ift nidjt ber 9lcbe wtxt
3(f) [teilte tf)n gur 9iebc.
(Sie muffen mir 9lcbe fte^en.
3Ba§ ift ber (angen 8tebe turner
@iun? (Z>/^ Ficcolomini^ 1.
241).
(5r lägt mit fic^ rcben.
9lebctt it)ir nic^t me^r banon !
OJlai^en «Sie nid)t fo üiel Üiebcn§
baüoti !
T)aö mai^te il)re (Siferfud)t rege.
3^n ber 9ficgc( ift ba^ 3ßetter im
mox fc^ön.
(5r ftet)t im fd)it)arjen 9?egiftcr*
Ülctr^en (Sie mir gefälügft ba^
(Salij!
9f{c^tba^?
!iDie 9Jct^e ift an mir. (Cf.
3e^t bin i^ bran. 3e^t
fommt e§ an bid)).
3^e^t fommen (Sie an bie 9tei^e.
!Da^ ift rein anö ber Önft gegrif*
fen.
^qA ift rein nnmögtic^.
3c^ Tiiu§ :nit i{)m in^ kleine
fommen.
(^lücflic^e meifc!
$ßir reifen über Bremen,
©r ^at 9^ei^ttn§ genommen.
(Cf. (5r ift bnrdfigcbrannt. (5r
mad)te fid) an^ bem Staube).
It is not worth mentioning.
I took him to task.
You will have to give an ac-
count of yourself. You will
have to answer my questions.
What is the meaning of the
rigmarole ?
He is open to conviction.
Let us drop the subject.
Do not make such a fuss about
it.
That roused her jealousy.
As a rule the weather in May
is beautiful.
He is a marked man.
Please pass the salt.
Is that enough ?
It is my turn.
Now it is your turn.
That is pure invention.
That is absolutely impossible.
I must come to an understand-
ing with him.
Pleasant journey !
We go by way of Bremen.
He fled.
GERMAN IDIOMS
69
Tk -grauen reiben [iä) um tl)n.
T)a« Qah il)m ten Slcft
(Sie muffen fic^ nad) tl)m tickten»
T)amit ^at eö feine ^iit^tigfeit
^>a^ ^inb fjöngt ber a)?utter am
(5r nimmt feine 9lücfftc^t auf baö
falte ^Better,
©r fte^t in gutem Üiufc»
t^affen ®ie mid) in 9iu§e.
33er (2cf)(ag ^at i^n gerührt
The ladies are wild after him.
That gave the finishing stroke
to him.
You must accommodate your-
self to his wishes.
That is quite correct.
The child clings to its mother's
skirt.
He makes no allowance for
the cold weather.
He has a good reputation.
Leave me alone.
He has had an apoplectic
stroke.
^
T)a^ tut nic^t« ^ur Sa^c»
Sa^ ift an ber (Baä}t ?
bleiben (Sie bei ber 8a(^c!
^a§ ift meine Sac^e.
!Die 8acl)c ge^t mic^ nid)t§ an.
9^e()men (Sie Q^vt fieben
©a^en !
dv ging mit ©aif unb ^ad,
Sßa^ (Sie md)t fagen !
Sa^ xfij fagcu tüoltte.
3Ba^ raoüen (Sie bamit fagen?
(5r fagt nur fo.
aj^an fagt.
@ie l}aben mir nid)t6 3U fageit*
!r)a^ {jat nic^t^ gu fagen.
3c^ ^abe mir fagen laffen.
dx ift, offen gefagt, ein (Spi^*
bube.
That's immaterial.
What is the truth of the matter ?
Stick to the point.
That is my business.
That's no concern of mine.
Take your traps.
He went with bag and baggage.
You don't say so 1
As I was about to say.
What do you mean by that ?
He simply says so.
It is said.
I am not under your orders.
That doesn't matter.
I have been told.
To tell the plain truth, he is a
scoundrel.
TO
GERMAN IDIOMS
Unter un6 gefagt, er ift ein Öüg*
ner.
T)tx !ann öoti @Iü(f fagcn, ba§
er nicf|t mit bem ^^ge reifte,
3^ mug mic^ tüieber fcmmeln,
®a^ !Dienftmäbc^ett mug eö fid)
oft fauer irerben (affen.
ee ift ft^abc.
T)a^ fci^abct nirf)t.
(5r {)at fein St^äfj^cn im Xrod*
nen.
Q6) miß mit it)m nicf)tö p fc^af=
fen ^aben.
(5r mac^t mir Diel gu fc^affen,
y ®ie fr^afftcn i()n au§ bem SBege.
8a§ if)n ft^alten unb tratten.
Wldnt § Öffnungen finb gu
Sc^anbctt gemorben.
(Sr ^at feine g*^re in bie Sc^anje
gefdjlagem
3Bie a(t fc^ä^cn Sie^^n?
Sl^rau, ft^au, toem!
^er Sj^etn trügt
®ie geben fic^ btn St^cin, aU
Ob,,.
(Sie toar fj^eintot.
§ier ift mein ©eburt^fi^ein unb
t)ier mein ^^Pff^jctn,
Qä) ^abe baö gcft^enlt befom*
men.
Between you and me, he is a
liar.
He may consider himself lucky
that he did not travel by that
train.
I must collect my thoughts.
The servant girl is often com-
pelled to do drudgery.
It is a pity.
That doesn't matter.
He has feathered his nest.
I will have nothing to do with
him.
He gives me a great deal of
trouble.
They put him out of the way.
Let him do as he likes.
My hopes have come to noth-
ing.
He has staked his honor.
How old do you take him to be?
If you trust before you try, you
may repent before you die.
Appearances are deceptive.
They make believe to . . .
She was in a trance.
Here is my certificate of birth
and here is my certificate of
vaccination.
I got that as a present.
GERMAN IDIOMS
71
Ba^ ft^crt e^ bid)?
(Sie treiben Sc^erj mit i^m.
(5r (ägt itid)t mit fid) f^crjcn*
T)o5 fi^irft fic^ niiijt
(B^iät hid) in hk 2öe(t.
3(^ fr^icbe gem ^t^d.
Qd) bin in einer ft^tefcn Sage.
(5r mac^t ein 8(^Iäf(^ett»
3d) n)ünfd)e 3^nen njo^t p
fc^Iafciu
T^er -3^nge befam Schläge,
©erlagen (Sie fic^ ba^ anö bem
Sinn.
!Die Sc^tadjt hti Seban tüurbe
im 3a^ve 1870 gef erlogen.
Sie lebten ft^Icc^t unb rec^t.
(S« ge^t i^nen red)t fd^Icc^t
2Ba« ft^licften Sie barauö?
Schlug folgt.
Sr^merft 3f)nen bie Suppe nid)t?
(5r i'd^t fid)'0 gut fr^merfett*
(gr fpric^t, lüie il)m ber Sr^nabcl
geirac^fen ift.
(gr l)aut über bie Sr^nur*
Sie lange finb Sie fc^on :^ier?
Qd) toaxtt nun fr^on brei ^age.
(§r ^at fo f(^0tt genug.
©(^ott fein ®ang ^eigt feinen
Stor^.
What's that to you ?
They are making sport of him.
He will not be trifled with.
That's not proper.
Adapt yourself to the world.
I like to bowl.
I am in an awkward predica-
ment.
He is taking a nap.
I wish you good-night.
The boy got a whipping.
Think no more of it.
The battle of Sedan was fought u-
in 1870.
They lived simply and hon-
estly.
They are very badly oJfif.
What do you infer from that ?
Concluded in our next.
Enjoying your meal?
Don't you like the soup ?
He eats with a relish.
He is a plain-spoken man.
He kicks over the traces. He
overshoots the mark.
How long have you been here?
I have been waiting for three
days now.
He has enough as it is. >^
His very gait shows his pride. X
72
GERMAN IDIOMS
3rf) merbe btcf) ft^oit rufen.
Sctttt ee f(^ott tt)al)r ift, fo . . ♦
iSt^on QVLtl
:Dan!e fc^ön !
3d) bitte fr^ött»
„^et^en «Sie mir gefädigft Q^xt
güüfeber." „:Q3itte ^ä)MJ'
(As the pen is handed).
„©eben (Sie mir eine (güe oon
bie[em:33anb!" ,,©(^öit.''
Die fc^öttc Sßelt ift in SBie««
baben ^u fel)en.
!l)u bift fc^ulb baran.
(Sr ^at fic^ eine ©rob^eit ^u
©c^ulben !ommen (äffen.
Sc^toamm brüber !
§einrid) fri^tuänst bie (Schule.
WXt^ ft^luärmt fllr iljn.
(gr fc^ttJärmt für äJhifü.
-3d) iüerbe e^ 3^nen fr^tuarj auf
njeig geben.
(Sr l^at ba^ Sdjrtjarje getroffen.
@ö fallt mir frf)tt»cr.
5)aö ©aue l)at mit^ fd^mcre^
(5^etb geloftet.
Sir l)aben ba§ @rf)ttierftc ()inter
un^.
(5r mac^t mir Sc^iotcrigfeiten.
(5r ift ein Scf^^iger.
T)a0 geljt mir an bie «Seele.
I will call you ; you can depend >
on that.
Although this is quite true, ;
yet . . .
Very well. All right.
Thank you.
Would you kindly.
"Will you kindly lend me your
fountain pen ? " " Certainly."
" Giveme a yard of thisribbon."
"All right."
The fashionable world can be
seen at Wiesbaden.
It is your fault.
He has been guilty of an act \
of rudeness.
No more of that.
Henry is playing truant.
Everybody is raving over him.
He is enthusiastically fond of
music.
I will give it to you in writing.
He has made a bull's eye.
I find it difficult.
This house has cost me a great
deal of money.
The worst is over.
He is causing me trouble.
He is past sixty (in the sixties).
That goes to the bottom of my
heart.
GERMAN IDIOMS
IB
(Sie fprec^en mir au§ ber Sccle»
!5)aö gel)t mir burrf) tie ®cc(c.
!Da fc^e einer!
^uf ®ef)a(t irtrb nidjt gcfc^en,
8ic§ ju beinen SÖorten!
Qd) tonnte i^n nid)! ju fcfjen
befommen.
(Sie (äffen fid) ja nirf)t mel)r
fc^ctt,
(Scl^ft feine grennbe glauben
i^m nid)t
@ott I)abe i()n fcHg !
SJ^ein 33ater fcHg fagte immer.
@r l^at feinen ^opf barauf ge-
fegt
Sd) fc^e ben gall
(Sie ift eine böfe (Sieben.
"^a^ toiü mir nic^t au§ bem
Sinn.
(Sinb (Sie nid)t bei Sinnen?
(Sr ift öon Sinnen.
bleibt nur filjen!
dv ift fi^cn geblieben.
(gr lieg ha^ 3}2äbd)en fi^cn.
T)iefer ^od fi^t ^^^en fe^r gut.
9^ec^t fo!
5^ii^tfo!
!Daö fann nic^t fo bleiben.
So etn)a§ fommt alle ^age öor.
3ft eö fo iDeit gefommen?
ajJac^en (Sie eö fo n)ie id)!
©0 öiet eö au{^ fofte.
®*»r i^l^t ift'«^ Ö^ttWQ •
Those are just my sentiments.
That cuts me to the quick.
I declare I
Salary no object.
Mind your words.
I could not get to see him.
You never come to see us now.
Even his friends do not believe
him.
God rest his soul !
My late father always said.
He has set his heart on it.
I assume.
She is a termagant.
I cannot get it out of my mind.
Are you out of your mind ?
He is out of his senses.
Just keep your seats.
He was not promoted.
He jilted the girl.
This coat fits you very well.
That's right. That's it.
Oh, no.
Things can not go on like this.
Such things happen every day.
Has it come to this ?
Do as I do.
Whatever it may cost.
There, that will do.
74
GERMAxN IDIOMS
(vr tut nur fo,
a^ tft fo' frf)on fpat genug.
„9öie 9el)t t^ 3t)neu?" ^,80,
^enn bu fannft, fo fomme.
^r fommt fo alle fec^^ 2öoc^en.
2öte er nun fo baftanb.
1)a^ hvaud)cn \m fo tüte fo'»
!^u fottft betnen 35ater unb beine
SJZutter e^ren.
^u follft e§ fel)en,
(Sie \)ätttn eö tun foflcn.
Sollte ba^ Sßetter fic^ änbern.
3d) fottte t>a^ tun?
@ie follctt rerf)t !)aben.
SJ^etn trüber foötc ^Irgt werben.
Sa^ fott ba« ^a(^en?
So^ufottbaö?
(5r fott franf fein.
Sollte ha^ unfer 2Bin)e(m geU)e=
fen fein?
(gr foß fort.
'Der ^U(f)fü^rer trägt Sott unb
§aben ein.
!Da^ ift f^attifc^ für mid). (Cf.
^Da^ finb mir bö^mifd^c Dör*
fer).
(gr t)er)'tef)t feinen S^ag.
(ir fefete fein Öeben auf^ S^ieL
Indeed ?
He is only pretending.
It is late enough as it is.
" How do you do ? " '• Pretty
well."
If you can, (then) come.
He comes every six weeks or
so.
As he was standing there.
We will need that anyhow.
Thou shalt honor thy father
and thy mother.
You will see.
You should have done it.
If the weather should change.
I do that ? Never !
I will allow that you are right.
My brother was to be a physi-
cian.
What is the meaning of your
laughter ?
What's the use of that ?
He is said to be ill.
Could it have been our Wil-
liam ?
He must be off.
The bookkeeper enters the
debits and credits.
That is Greek to me.
He can not take a joke.
He risked his life.
GERMAN IDIOMS
75
Waffen Sie mirf) aite betn S^icl !
^r treibt e^ auf bie ©^t^c,
3ft§err^. ^uf^rcc^ien? (Cf.
SftiJeiTSJ^ ba?),
3cf) mödjte .gierrn 9^^. f^rec^cm
3(J| bin auBer ftanbe baö au tun.
S^ bin nirf)t im ftanbe ba^ gu
tun.
Sd) !ann nid)t bamit 3U ftanbe
fommen.
Sarmn bleiben @ie nid)t bei ber
Stange? (Cf. bleibe bei ber
@ac^e!).
(5^ regnet ftart
3Bie ftart ift bk neue 5luflage ?
dv madjte fic^ au^ bem Staube.
(Cf. (gr l)at 9Jei^au§ genom^^
men. (5r ift burrfjgebrannt).
üDa^ fttr^t il)m in bie ^ugen.
$ßo !)aben @ie geftcrft.
dx blieb fterfen.
(5^ mu§ eö i^m einer gefterft ^a^
ben.
@ie ^ahtn it)n unter bie @o(ba^
ten geftecft.
(Sr rebet auö bem Stegreif.
mit fte^t^^ mit 3I)rer ©efunb-
t)eit?
9öie fte^t eg in §aufe?
!iDie U^r fte^t fc^on ivieber.
liDiefer gut fte^t Q\)ntn gut.
Don't mix me up in the affair.
He carries it to extremes.
Is Mr. N. in ?
I should like to see Mr. N.
I am unable to do this.
I am unable to do this.
I can not manage it.
Why don't you stick to the
point ?
It is raining hard.
How many copies have been
printed of the new edition ?
He ran away (skipped).
That strikes his eye.
Where have you been keeping
yourself?
He stuck fast.
Somebody must have given him
a hint of it.
They made a soldier of him.
He speaks off-hand.
How are you ?
How are the folks ?
The clock has stopped again
This hat becomes you well.
1/
t6
GERMAN IDIOMS
3ötr ftcf)cu un§ gatij gut.
.'pier ftc^t eö.
3(^ fte^c 3U 3^)^^^ 1)tenften.
Der 5lcferbau fte^t an erfter
(Stcttc.
(gr ftcttt firf) franf.
T)tv 3unge ftcttt fid) nur fo.
dv \)at feine grau im Stid^ ge*
(äffen.
(Sd)meige ftltt!
Daö fttmmt !
3fcft bin ^eute nirfit gut gcfttmmt.
(Sr fticjf ben §unb mit bem
guge.
ÜDer (Sd)afbo(f ftöftt mit bem
Äopfe.
!iDie ^u^ ftößt mit ben §örnern.
dv \)at tDieber bumme ©treirfjc
gemalt.
(Sr liegt im (Streite mit feinem
trüber.
Söie ^iele beutf(l)e ©tunben ^a*
ben v25ie bie Sßod^e?
We are on excellent terms.
Here it is (written).
I am at your service.
Agriculture takes first rank.
He pretends to be ill.
The boy is simply shamming.
He has abandoned his wife.
Be quiet.
Correct. That's (all) right.
I am not in good humor to-day.
He gave the dog a kick.
The ram butts.
The cow hooks.
He has been at his old tricks
again.
He is at loggerheads with his
brother.
How many German lessons
have you a week ?
90a« ift ^eute für ein ^ag ?
a^ ift no(^ fet)r frii^ am 2;agc.
5lm iüngften 2;ag njerben alle
gerichtet.
dv lebt in ben Xa^ l^inetn.
Qii) tr»erbe nä^fter Xa^c an i^n
fc^reiben.
What day. of the week is it?
It is still very early in the day.
On the Day of Judgment all
will be judged.
He lives recklessly.
I shall write to him one of
these days.
GERMAN IDIOMS
-^rmcjen tvxv bie (Sac^e auf^ Xa^
(Sr tft bei ber Xai txtappt tpor-
btn.
^ dv l)ie(t ba^ tinb über bie ^^aufc.
P
(Sr taugt 3U nirf)tö.
©arin tauft^cn ®ie fid).
(5i ber 2;aufcnb ! SBie bu gemac^^
fen btft !
,,, T)a0 mtrb mir ^u tctL
p ÜDer 2;eufe( tft (0^.
!I)aö ift ein gro^e^ ^^icr»
^ei X^d)t fprarf)en mir baoon.
kommen (Sie nad) 2;ifr§c !
dv bat mid) gu 2;tfd^c gu bleiben.
3:)n bift be^ 2:obe§ !
(gr gab fid) ben ^ob, (Cf. (Sr
tat fid) ein Scib§ an. (Sr i)at
fid) nm^ Öeben gebrat^t).
^ort ^at er fid) ben ^ob geholt.
a^ gel)t auf ^ob ober Öeben.
dx ift mir in ben Xot) tierl)a|t.
(Sr l)at fid) gu Xobe gearbeitet.
IJDaö ift 3um 2:oötticrben !
(gr gibt feinen S^oti t»on fid). (Cf.
(5r gab feinen Scut non fic^).
<Sie gibt ben Xon an.
!l)a§ gehört gum guten 2;on.
(5r trirft a((e§ in einen So^f,
toppl (Cf. 5lbgcntac^t!).
Let us broach the matter.
He was caught in the act.
He stood godfather for the
child.
He is good for nothing.
You are mistaken there.
Great Scott, how you have
grown 1
That falls to my share.
The devil 's to pay.
He is a big gun.
We spoke about it at dinner. ^
Come after dinner.
He invited me to stay to dinner.
You are a dead man.
He committed suicide.
There he caught his death.
It is a matter of life or death.
I can't bear the sight of him.
He killed himself with work.
That is enough to drive one
mad.
He doesn't utter a sound.
She sets the fashion.
That is customary in good so-
ciety.
He treats all alike.
Done! Agreed!
78
GERMAN IDIOMS
"-^
(i^ {ft 3um Xotiaä^cn.
@r ivaä^ttt nad) Qtjvtm ^ermo^
gen,
Ser trägt bie ^d}ulb ?
!Da§ Ijättt id) mir nie träumctt
(äffen,
ie S^ei^e trifft bic^.
(Er ^af ^ gctroffctt.
c^ I)abe e§ gnt getroffen, baj « . .
^in ic^ getroffen ?
3d) l)ahc einen Jrennb getrof--
fctt,
S:)a^ trifft fic^ gnt.
Sa§ treiljft bn ba?
(gr tretBt ^olitü.
.^ ßr treibt e§ jn njeit.
®er ^annt treibt ^(ätter.
Sßie ntan'^ treibt, fo gel)t'ö.
(5r tvitt in ba^ 2lmt.
!Die S^ränen treten il}ni in bie
fingen.
jDa§ tut i^m nic^t^.
^^^a^ tut md)t^.
(5^ ift mir fe^r barnm gn tu«,
dv tntf aU ob er fc^tiefe.
dv njid gleich mit ber Xnv in^
gan^ faden, (Cf. ^er nimmt
fein Blatt mv ben 3Jhxnb, (5r
rebet üon ber Seber n)eg).
It is too funny for anything.
He has an eye on your fortune.
Whose fault is it ?
I should never have dreamt of
such a thing.
It is your turn.
He has hit it.
I was lucky to . . .
Is that like me?
I met a friend.
That comes in just right.
What are you doing there ?
He is in politics.
He goes too far.
The tree puts forth leaves.
As you do, so shall you have
He enters upon the office.
Tears come to his eyes.
That won't hurt him.
That doesn't matter.
I am very anxious about it.
He pretends to be asleep.
He blurts things out.
Ji^ ift mir übel,
(g^ ift i^m übet befommen.
U
I feel sick.
It did not agree with him.
GERMAN IDIOMS
r9
T)a^ muffen Sie ntd)t üdelne^»
men»
(Er nht [\d) im Singen.
^a^ ge^t ühtv afle^.
Qd) Ijaht nhtv 300 ^üc^er.
(5r fi^Uef ixhev bem Sffen ein.
D, über bie geiglinge!
Qd) ftimmc nic^t mit 3^^nen
«Bercttt»
Senn ®ie e^ üBcr^u^t njollen.
(i^ bleibt mir nic^tö mel)r übrig,
al^ , . ,
2ßieöiel Utjr ift eö?
Um alle^ in ber SKett nid)t.
@r ift urn einen ^opf grower a(^
ic^.
Urn fo (eidfjter ift e^ ju tun.
Xun (Sie e^ urn meinetlt)i((en.
2Bir effen, um p leben.
Sir beantiDorteten ben ^rief
mit umgcljcttbcr ^oft.
T)tv gad ift gerabe umgefe^rt
SOZan befommt e6 umfonfi
9)^acf)en Sie feine Umftättbe !
3J?üffen n)ir I)ier nac^ 5(ad)en
umftctgcn? (Cf. ©inftctgcn
nacf) T)reöben!).
^itte nmjumenbcn !
, ^r mif(J)t fic^ unberufen in alte«.
\
You must not be offended at
that.
He practices singing.
That beats everything.
I have more than three hun-
dred books.
He fell asleep while eating.
Fie upon the cowards 1
I do not agree witl you.
If you want it at all.
I have no alternative but . . .
What time is it ?
Not for all the world.
He is a head taller than I am.
So much the easier it is to do.
Do it for my sake.
We eat in order to live.
We answered the letter by re-
turn mail.
The case is just the reverse.
It is to be had for nothing.
Don't stand on ceremony«
Don't go to any trouble.
Do we change here for Aachen?
Please turn over (the leaf).
Over.
He pokes his nose in every-
body's business.
?<
80
GERMAN IDIOMS
dv fragte öon ititgcfä^r.
^Jltd)t^ für ungut! (Cf. ^Ic^mcu
(Sie e^ nid)t für ungut).
3ßer tft utttcu?
(gr fi^t unten am ^tfc^e.
dv ^at t)on unten auf gebleut.
Unter uu^ gejagt.
Unter 3el)u mar einer gut.
(5r fanb bie Cuittung unter
feinen papieren.
^u§ ipetc^er Urfarfje tpirb ba^
getan?
He happened to ask.
No offence, I hope.
Who is downstairs ?
He sits at the foot of the table.
He has risen from the ranks.
Between you and me.
Only one in ten was good.
He found the receipt among
his papers.
For what reason is this done ?
«
^r (ä§t fid) !eine SO^ü^e Uerbrtc«
^en.
5luf ben n)äre ic^ ntd)t tjerfalten.
^iefe 3i^i^^^ ftel)en Qljutn
gur 95crfügung.
^ie 'Badjt öcr^ölt fid^ fo'.
^^^^^^ @te !önnen fic^ barauf ticrlaffen.
^'^^'^ie ift mit it)m öerJoBt.
dt ift öernagelt. (Cf. dx l)at ein
Srett üor bem f opfe).
di)t man fic^'^ ucrfic^t.
@ie tjcrftc^cn fic^ auf ^Htrelen?
S^ bitte um S^erjei^nng.
^^''^^ — d^ gefdia^ oar aä)t ^agen.
dv fürchtet fic^ tjor bem §unbe.
"\ Sir bejahten im öoranö,
iBa^ fjaUn (Sie für morgen tor?
He spares no pains.
I should never have thought
of him.
These rooms are at your dis-
posal.
The facts of the case are these.
You can depend upon it.
She is engaged to him.
He is stupid.
Before one is aware of it.
You are a judge of jewels ?
I beg your pardon.
It happened a week ago.
He is afraid of the dog.
We pay in advance.
What are your plans for to-
morrow ?
GERMAN IDIOMS gl
jDiefe (Stelle fommt bet U()Ianb This passage occurs in Uhland.
tor»
jDaö ift nocf) nie Dorgefommen* That has never happened be-
fore.
(Sagen Sie Vorläufig nic^tö! Don't say anything for the pre-
sent.
SSorftd^t! Handle with care.
(Sriauben Sie mir, tntd) 3l)tten Permit me to introduce myself
tJurjuftcUcn» to you.
^r tft mir aM ben 5(ugen gc» He has grown so I don't know
Itiac^fem him any more.
Sdj bin ber 5lufgabe gcttiarf)fem I am equal to the task.
(Sr tft fort, nt^t toaf^v ? He has gone, hasn't he ?
► ^r reicht i^m ba^ Staffer nid)t. He is not worthy to clean his >(
boots.
T)tv ^tan tft JU Staffer geraor- The scheme came to nought.
ben. ^^^
!Da§ Staffer läuft mir im äJiuitbe My mouth waters. x
^ufammen.
Sie Ujerfjfeltett Sorte. They conversed. They quar-
reled,
^önttett Sie mir biefe ^autnote Can you change this bill for
tueti^fcltt? me?
@e^' mir au^ bem SSeg ! Get out of my way. ^--^
®el)' bettlet Söcgeö ! Go your way.
^r !am beö Söege^* He came along.
dv fc^affte ben ijunb aug bem He got rid of the do|
(Sr bra(i)te eg juüjcgc» He accomplished it.
ÜDag ^at gute SBegc. That's a long way off.
82
GERMAN IDIOMS .
2Bcg bamit!
dx ift ganj tticg«
3rf) t)abe mir tuc() getan.
!Der ^opf tut mir itje^,
gröf)lic^e SÖci^nac^itctt!
Sßer nirf)t liebt Söeiit, Seib uub
©efang, !Der bleibt ein 9carr
fein ?eben lang.
!Da§ marken (Sie einem anbern
toctg ! (Cf. ^Qö Binbc einem
anbern auf!).
ii^affen 8ie ficf) nicf)tö njct^ma«
(^en!
^ie mit ift e^ üon l)ier bi«
töln?
ßr ift bei ttjcitcm ber befte.
Senn'^ tucitcr nirf)t« ift.
T)a^ ift Itjcitcr nic^tö ai^ ^o^=
^eit.
©ein SSetjctt blitzt,
„ßaben ®ie 'ipapier?" „Qa, idj
I)abe mclrfie^."
2öa§ in aller Söclt fo« baö ^ei=
2Bir muffen un^ burd) bie Söclt
fc^lagen.
T)a^ ^tatt t)at fic^ gcttienbct.
$ßegen heiterer (Srfunbigungen
beliebe man fic^ an §errn 3^.
3U njcttbctt,
(So fe{)tte toenig, fo l}ätten fie
il)n gefangen.
@r ift nichts ttietttgcr al« bumm.
Get away with it.
He is quite beside himself.
I have hurt myself.
My head aches.
A merry Christmas.
Who loves not woman, wine
and song, will be a fool bis
whole life long.
Tell that to the marines 1
Don't be taken in.
How far is it from here to Co-
logne ?
He is by far the best.
If that's all.
That is pure malice.
He is flourishing.
*' Have you paper ?" •* Yes,
I have some."
What in the world can this
mean?
We must make our way in the
world.
Things have taken a new turn.
For further particulars apply
to Mr. N.
They had very nearly caught
him.
He is anything but stupid. ><'
GERMAN IDIOMS
83
a^ tnu§ anber^ njcrben.
!5)er (Schnee mirb ^u 2Baf]er.
2Bie tnirb e^?
T)ag Sßer! ift im SSerbcii»
gr ttiarf i^n mit steinen.
(ir iuarf um fic^ mit ed)impf*
inortent.
©^ ift etwa^ im SBerfc»
Sir ^aben 3^)^ ttjcrte§ ©(firei^
ben t)om 11. b. 9}?t§. emp*
fangen,
^r treibt fein SScfen für fid)
allein.
(5r madjte ein grogeS 3®efen.
®o l)aben tDir nidjt gctucttct.
51(k Better!
Um ttiieöicl UI)r fäf)rt ber ^m^
ab?
!^en mtetJteltcn (ttjicotclften) I)a^
ben lüir ^eute?
^er ttjietiteUe ift er in ber ^laf*
fe?
5Iuf SBieberfe^cn !
Xun (Sie i^m feinen Söittcit !
Senn e§ nacft meinem SSiücu
ginge,
(vr juittlte mir mit ber §anb.
@ie toirft aU ße^rerin an einer
(Stementarfc^ute.
T)a^ ift eine fc^öne Söirtfrfjaft !
(5r n)i(l öon un^ nic^t^ tuiffcm
There must be a change.
The snow is turning to water.
How are things going ?
The work is in progress.
He threw stones at him.
He called people (bad) names.
There is something under way.
Your favor of the nth inst. was
duly received.
He keeps to himself.
He made a great fuss.
That's not our agreement.
Confound it ! Great Scott 1
At what time does the train
leave ?
What day of the month is it ?
How high up is he in the class?
Till we meet again.
Do as he wishes.
If I had my way.
He beckoned to me.
She teaches in an elementary
school.
That's a nice condition of af-
fairs !
He does not want to have any-
thing to do with us.
^
w
84
GERMAN IDIOMS
3Stffctt Sie toa^?
,Ma^ gibt'« ^Jltm^?" Mä)t^,
ba^ id) w^tc,"
^d) fomme, \m mögüd).
5n btefen 3^^^^^/ ^^ ^^^^^^ ^^i^^^
tft.
2Ö0 ift er ^er?
Q\}m tft tü0^I in Tlntt.
(5r fommt too^I ^eute nod),
„^ommt er ^eute?" „§eute
m6)t, nio^I aber morgen."
(5r tft ttjo^l arm, aber . . .
Sa§ ttJtö er?
Ta^ §0(5 tottt ntc^t brennen.
(5r tutii nad) (Sngtanb.
dv ttittt i^m iüot)I.
Saö ttJoöte ic^ marfjen?
3c^ wtü e§ ntc^t geprt ^aben.
(Sr ujitt eg felbft gefe^en I)aben.
T)a^ itJttt trf) gem gtanben.
^a§ ttJitt mir nirf)t rec^t ein^
Ieu(^ ten.
3n iDem tooöen Sie ?
5luf etn^ort!
ßr führte H^ Söort
Sie njerben 3^^ blaueö SSunber
erleben.
(5ö nimmt mi(^ munbcr, ba^ id)
fo gefunb bleibe.
üDc ^aben Sie einen guten SBurf
getan.
I'll tell you what.
" What is there new ? " "Noth-
ing that I know of. '
I shall come if possible. ^"
In these times, when every-
thing is dear.
Where is he from ?
He is in good spirits.
I suppose he will come to-day.
''Will he come to-day.?" "Not ^
to-day, but probably to-mor-
row."
It is true he is poor, but ... ^
What does he want ?
The wood won't burn.
He wishes to go to England.
He is well disposed toward
him.
What could I do ?
I will pretend I didn't hear it.
He claims to have seen it him-
self.
I readily believe that.
I can't quite see that (your ar-
gument).
For v/hom are you looking ?
Just a word 1
He was the spokesman.
You will see something that
will amaze you.
I am surprised that I keep so
well.
You made a good haul there.
GERMAN IDIOMS
85
(go murmt mtc^.
3:)a« ift mir Söurft (Cf. (gg ift
mir aöc^ ein«. (S« ift mir
einerlei).
It annoys (worries) me.
That's all the same to me.
as
(gr tooiitc mir ein dl für ein U
mad)en.
He tried to humbug me.
3
«Sie finb öier^ig on ber S^¥*
Kellner, ja^kn!
dt füllte mir auf ben B^J^«-
^r f)at mir bie ^cit geboten,
kommen @ie beizeiten !
dx i)at ha?> 3eitHc^e gefegnet.
^r \}at nirf)t ha^ S^H ^^3^^-
(Sr ging in« B^Mg*
X)a« ift bumme« ä^wg*
Sir jogen nacf) T)re«ben.
Sßir jogen fie in« ©e^eimni«.
(5« jte^t in biefem ^ttnmer.
Sy^eine ^lante 50g ba« ^inb grog.
!Da« ^flafter ^ki^t gut.
9?a)3o(eon 50g nad^ 9?ug(anb.
!iDiefer ®runb jic^t bet mir nirf)t.
dx ift fo jicmltc^ öon meinem
5irter.
3tcrctt (gte fic^ nic^t !
Qä) get)e ju meinem trüber.
(Cf. 3f(^ ge^e ttcd^ aJKinc^en),
y
They are forty in number.
Waiter, the bill, please.
He sounded me.
He passed me the time of day.
Come in good season (time).
He has departed this life.
He is not the man for it.
He set to work with a will.
That is stuff and nonsense.
We moved to Dresden.
We let her into the secret.
There is a draught in this
room.
My aunt brought up the child.
The plaster draws well.
Napoleon set out for Russia.
That argument doesn't go down
with me.
He is pretty much the same
age as I am.
Don't make so much ceremony.
I am going to my brother.
86
GERMAN IDIOMS
dv ftecEte e^ 511 ftc^.
2Bir finb ju t)iert.
dx reift ptx Gr^olnng.
T)a^ ©auö ift 5u nerfaufen.
So f)aben Sie bie 3^^^ hH^'
hxa^t?
^r jurft mit ben 5lcf)feln.
(Bit muffen fidi bamit 5ufricbcu
geben.
'5)er Dfen ^at feinen 3«g-
!t)er Äranfe lag in ben letzten
3ügem
(Sr tran! in langen 3w9Ctt.
!Da^ ©efic^t f)at fc^arfe 3«öe.
Tlit xa\d)tn SH^^ f!i', gierte er
ha^ aj^äbc^en.
Qd) l)abe ben S^^ öerpaBt.
3d) bin im 3ugc,
(Greifen (Sie §u !
Wla^c bie 3:itr ju !
!Da« Sinb ^at eine f(i)tt)ere 3un=
Sein 9lame frfinjebt mir anf ber
3uttgc.
3(i) !ann mit i^m nic^t ^uret^t»
fommem
(Sr na^m fi(^ jufammeu.
©(^reiben Sie t>a^ fid) felbft ju !
Dag ^dtte id) it)m nid^t gugc»
traut
(5^ ift mir in ber Seete juttitbcr,
Sie l)aben brei ^Hnber unb jtoar
einen So{)n unb itüti ^öd)ter.
He put it in his pocket.
There are four of us. '\/
He is traveling for relaxation.
The house is for sale.
Where did you spend the time?
He shrugs his shoulders.
You must put up with it.
The stove has no draught.
The patient was dying. A
He drank deep draughts.
The face has strongly marked
features.
He sketched the girl with rapid
strokes.
I missed the train. ^
I am in the humor.
Help yourself.
Shut the door.
The child has an impediment
in its speech.
His name is on the tip of my
tongue.
I can't get along with him.
He pulled himself together.
Blame yourself for that.
I should not have thought him
capable of that.
I abominate it. ^
They have three children, name- •
lyone son and two daughters,
GERMAN IDIOMS 87
dx l)at gefrf)rieben, unb ^\mt He has written, and, what is y
Xtä^t au^fü^rlid). more, very explicitly.
^r !am ^toaXf bod) Xoaf^ ^u fpät. He did come, but it was too ■;>(
late.
(5^ unterliegt feittetn 3^cifclr There is no doubt that he will
ha^ er tommt» come.
I
EXERCISES
Note. — The numbers In the notes after each exercise refer to the corresponding sentences
of tiie exercise. The words after the numbers are the heavy-face key-words under which the
required German idioms will be found.
I
I. The favor of an early answer is requested. 2. I am sorry
to say he is a marked man. 3. By my watch, which however
is slow, it is only eight o'clock. 4. The father says his son
will never succeed because he blurts things out. 5. The old
man became a charge upon the town. 6. Why did you not
heed my words? 7. We all have our hands full. 8. You can not
put me off like this. 9. I can't quite see that. 10. He did
come, but it was too late. ir. Will you be one of us ? 12. They
came a short time ago.
1. balbig. 2. leibcr, Sf^egifter. 3. auf, nad^get)cu. 4. grün, Züt, 5. fal»
ten. 6. ^ötcu. 7. §anb. 8. abfertigen, 9. n^oHen. 10. ^tvav, 11. babei.
12. furs.
II
I. What day of the month is it ? 2. There must be a change.
3. One must help his neighbor in distress. 4. Do not always
be harping on the same old string. 5. We can't make head
or tail of it. 6. How many persons are occupying this house?
7. He will not set the world on fire. 8. That caps the climax.
9. They have cheated him. 10. They want to deceive me.
II. It seems I always get the worst of it. 12. This cloth is
cheap, but the quality is in keeping with the price.
1. njieoielt. 2. merbcn. 3. nädjfi. 4. anftimmen. 5. barau«. 6. innc.
7. ^ulöer. 8. Äronc. 9. O^r. 10. l^ic^t. 11. furj. 12. banac^.
89
00 EXERCISES
III
I. To tell you the truth, I have not read the book. 2. Every-
body says we made a lucky find. 3. It is hardly worth while.
4. As matters stand, they will not come to-day, but probably to-
morrow. 5. Why don't you do it on your own hook ? 6. He
lost his whole fortune. 7. The prettiest miss in the whole vil-
lage gave him the mitten. 8. The cigars you gave me are not
so bad. 9. When you get home, remember me to your mother.
10. I should like it if you did not mix me up in the affair.
11. If he does not run away, he will be put in jail. 12. I should
rather die.
1. cigcntlid^. 2. gunb. 3. Tl\if)t. 4. liegen, tt)ol)l 5. %an% 6. fom»
men. 7. 53acfftjcf), Äorb. 8. laffen. 9. §au8, empfehlen. 10. lieb, <2>pkl
11. ®taub, ^oif. 12. aeber.
IV
I. Why do you not get to work? 2. Get out of my way.
3. Excuse me. 4. Why do you pretend to be asleep ? 5. Fortu-
nately there was no one at home. 6. All's well that ends well.
7. The Bible says, " Thou shalt honor thy father and thy
mother." 8. I saw him only yesterday, and to-day it is reported
that he committed suicide. 9. I do not like you to put on airs.
10. Come, the sooner the better. 11. You must not be offended.
12. He is anything but stupid.
1. madden, 2. 2öeg. 3. entfc^utbigen. 4. tun. 5. ©liicf. 6. Snbc.
7. Reißen, jotlen. 8. erft, ^ei^en, bringen. 9. gefallen, breit. 10. je. 11. übel»
netimen. 12. ttjcniger.
V
I. Will you do this to please me? That all depends. 2. The
window looking on the yard affords a beautiful view. 3. We
are in a dilemma. 4. You can depend upon it that he will
accomplish it. 4. May I rely on him ? 6. You can be abso-
EXERCISES 91
lutely sure of that. 7. He is the very man I am looking for.
8. He failed to pass the examination and was not promoted.
9. I will do my utmost. 10. He is thoroughly bad. 11. Boys
will be boys. 12. What in the world can this mean ?
1. ©efaHen, je. 2. naiii, getoä^ren. 3. 'Stat 4. ocrtoffeu, 2öeg. 5. bür-
fcn. 6. @ift. 7. eben. 8. bur(i)fatten, fi^en. 9. möglidi. 10. @runb.
11. 3ugcnb. 12. SSelt.
VI
I. There is a draught in this room. I caught cold here yes-
terday. 2. He comes only now and then, but he is always wel-
come. 3. He is not exactly my friend, but I like him. 4. We
must not let ourselves be scared off. 5. I can say nothing
but good of him. 6. He is at loggerheads with his brother.
7. Henry, were you playing truant again? 8. Don't crow too
soon. 9. You will have to get along the best you can. 10. I
will give him a piece of my mind. 11. That is pure fiction.
12. There is some truth in it.
1. sicken, erfälten. 2. bann, gern. 3. gcrabc, gem. 4. 3Bo(Jö^oni. 5. nadf:
tagen. 6. @treit. 7. fc^iuängcn. 8. ^benb. 9. fertig. 10. 3Jieinung.
11. euft. 12. o^ne.
VII
I. May I have the pleasure of the next dance with you, Miss
North ? 2. He makes no allowance for the cold weather.
3. Stick to the point. 4. If it did not rain so hard, we would
pay our friend a visit. 5. If that's all, it will come out all right.
6. It will be a long time before that happens. 7. He is over
head and ears in debt. 8. You are on the wrong track. 9. God
is no respecter of persons. 10. He has feathered his nest.
II. I can't quite see your argument. 12. I should not have
thought him capable of that.
1. aufforbern. 2. ?)?iidtft(i)t. 3. @arf)e. 4. ftarf, abflatten. 5. treiter,
madien. 6. ??erne. 7. big. 8. ^olsmeg. 9. ^crfon. 10, @(^äfd)en. 11. mU
ten. 12. jutraucn.
92 EXERCISES
VIII
I. This remark does not refer to you. 2. He kills two birds
with one stone. 3. You are in bad humor to-day. 4. Why do
you go about it so gingerly ? 5. They put me off with fine
speeches. 6. At heart he is a good man. 7. I wish to call your
attention to the fact that agriculture takes first rank. 8. They
made a great fuss. 9. Why can't you get along with him?
10. It is a put-up job. 11. Is it absolutely necessary for me to
come ? 12. She can't bear the sight of him.
1. bc3iel)cn. 2. gtiegc. 3. ?aunc. 4. S3rei. 5. abfpeifen. 6. (Sninb.
7. aufmerffom, «Stelle. 8. SBefcn. 9. 3ured)tfommen. 10. abgetartet.
11. burd)au8. 12. tcibcn.
IX
I. I am sorry that their relations are strained. 2. I was un-
certain as to what I should do. 3. He did not mean to do it.
4. According to my opinion you ought to let that pass. 5. I
shall write at the first opportunity. 6. I gave it to him good.
7. If you did not mail the letters, you will have to go to the
postoffice with them. 8. I shall not stand on a trifle. 9. The
matter is urgent. 10. Something has gone wrong with him.
11. I never thought of such a thing. 12. Do you attach much
importance to it ?
1. leib, gefpannt. 2. einig. 3. ^^lei^. 4. na<i), gut. 5. näc^ft. 6. S3ab.
7. aufgeben, ^oft. 8. anfommen. 9. (Stle. 10. Ouere. 11. etnfatleu.
12. ©eroic^t.
X
I. A person who lets everything go down with him will be
fleeced. 2. I do not care a rap what becomes of him. 3. We
must accommodate ourselves to the situation. 4. He knows how
to keep a close mouth. 5. I will have nothing to do with him.
6. If I had my way, he would have to go. 7. He is from the
EXERCISES 93
neighborhood. 8. There is something mysterious about it.
9. Why do you always keep putting it off? 10. You are just
in time. 11. Leave me alone. 12. Did any one ask for me?
1. aufbinben, Söffet. 2. liegen, auQ, 3. fügen. 4. 3Jinnb. 5. jd^affen.
6. SBiKen, fort. 7. 9^ä^e. 8. S)ing. 9. iBanf. 10. eben. 11. 9tu^e. 12. na6).
XI
I . That will come into vogue again. 2 . If my watch had not
stopped, I would have been here early in the morning. 3. Such
as I dare not say that. 4. This furniture was bought second
hand and paid for in cash. 5. Why should you not come to an
understanding with him ? 6. It is quite correct that he styles
himself a poet. 7. He would have many friends if he did not
keep to himself so [much]. 8. She is fond of him, and he
makes a great deal of her. 9. It all depends upon you whether
we shall accomplish this. 10. The house is for sale. 11, He
is a big gun. 12. The case is just the reverse.
1. ®ang. 2. bleiben, ^rü{|c. 3. einer. 4. ^anb, bar. 5. rein. 6. Sfiic^.
ttgfcit, ausgeben. 7. SSefen. 8. lieh, §anb. 9. 3Beg, an!ommen. 10. ju,
11. Ziev, 12. untgefel^rt.
XII
I. I received this watch as a present. 2. I have no alter-
native but to move. 3. Well, going to be all day about it?
4. If you take that for gospel truth, I will renounce you. 5. I am
glad that you reminded me of it. 6. He is a thorn in my flesh
as it is. 7. Did you agree to that ? I had to. 8. I believe he is
at death's door. 9. I am a stranger here. 10. Don't you dare
to offend him. 11. He can see through a brick wall. 12. He
isn't worth a red cent.
1. fcl)enlen. 2. übrig, augjiel^en. 8. na. 4. bar, loSfagen. 5. erinnern.
6. 3)orn, fo. 7. eingeben, muffen. 8. lange. 9. S3cfrf|eib. 10. bei, Äo^f.
11. ©ra«. 12. fetter.
94 EXERCISES
XIII
I. I can't help it that they are quarreling. 2. They are dis-
puting about trifles. 3. If you make such a fuss about it, it will
be known far and wide. 4. It shall not be said that I caused
him to lose his fortune. 5. It has come to such a pass with
him that he has nothing at all. 6. Do you know what play is
on to-night? Im weissen Ross' I is running now. 7. Now I
shall do it less than ever. 8. These goods meet with a brisk
demand although it is still cold. 9. They made short work of
him. ID. Those are just my sentiments. 11. Have you settled
that among yourselves ? 12. Continued in our next.
1. bafür, ^aar. 2. 53art. 3. 9lcbcn, breit. 4. Reißen, bringen. 5. ba^in,
gar. 6. geben. 7. rec^t. 8. "Ibfat?, fc^on. 9. ^ro^c^. 10. @eele. IL au8»
marf)en. 12. goitfetjung.
XIV
I. That just suits his purpose. 2. You are mistaken if you think
he is out of his mind. 3. They made a hearty meal. 4. The
youngsters made faces when the conversation turned upon their
teacher. 5. There is no telling where it will end. 6. What's
the news? 7. Do as I do. 8. You found your match there.
9. He stopped short. 10. I am opposed to it. 11. I shall
finish by to-morrow evening. 12. Is any one waiting on you?
I. Äram. 2. irren, @inn. 3. kffen. 4. ©cfid^t, $Rebe. 5. abfetzen.
6. geben. 7. fo. 8. rec^t. 9. abbred^en. 10. bagegen. 11. bi«. 12. be»
bienen.
XV
I. He spends a great deal and lives a merry life. 2. They
took all he had. 3. I hurt myself, it is true, but I had a lucky
escape. 4. In Germany one sees many things that are differ-
ent in our country. 5. Even his friends make fun of him.
6. Put out the light and close the window. 7. Since he has be-
EXERCISES 95
come rich, he does not want to have anything to do with us.
8. What's your hurry? 9. He is in politics. 10. He is a
man of honor. 11. That's a long way off. 12. Nonsense 1
1. brauf, iBrauS. 2. §qu8. 3. \m\), gtrar, baoontommen. 4. anber«,
.t>aug. 5. fclbft, au8la(f)cn. 6. au«nia(i)cn, junia(f)en. 7. tt)i[[cn. 8. bren=
nen. 9. treibcu. 10. 2üh. 11. SBeg. 12. ci.
XVI
I. Mind you don't appropriate the work of others. 2. Never
put off till to-morrow what can be done to-day. 3. He
coolly skipped. 4. I came near falling. 5. Do your home-
work, or you will have to stay in to-morrow. 6. Then he thought
better of it. 7. Will you give me another cup ? 8. How is
your health to-day ? My stomach is out of order. 9. That is
out of place, as matters stand. 10. What do you mean by
that ? II. I know that by heart. 12. Just go on.
1. bafj, eigen. 2. auijdiiebcn. 3. nid)t«, burdibreunen. 4. balb. 5. Sliif^
Qahe, narfjft^en. 6. bebenfen. 7. iioc^. 8. ®efunbf)eit, ^aben. 9. ^|J(al?,
liegen. 10. bebeutcn. 11. augwenbig. 12. nur.
XVII
I. My father used to say» *' More haste, less speed." 2. The
patient has taken no food in five days and is dying. 3. It is all
very well for you to talk. 4. What is the matter with you ?
5. It is too funny for anything. 6. Here is the general deliv-
ery window. 7. Please send my letters in care of Mr. N.
8. Answer my letter by return mail. 9. I shall write you before
the end of the week. 10. He is by far the best. 11. He is
pretty much the same age as I am. 12. Charity begins at home.
1. Pflegen, (Sile. 2. nehmen, 3ug. 3. gnt. 4. I)oben. 5. 2:otlQd)en.
6. poftlagcrnb. 7. bitten, per. 8. umgeljen. 9. nod). 10. welt, 11. jtem-
lid). 12. nä^%
96 EXERCISES
XVIII
I. Why don't you broach the matter ? 2. I am at your ser-
vice. 3. If the weather should change, perhaps you will feel
like taking a walk? 4. It is a long time since 1 saw you.
5. He was about to leave town, but we upset his plans. 6. To
tell the plain truth, he is a henpecked husband. 7. He is super-
fluous. 8. He is not like the same fellow. 9. This day week I
was staying with my friend. 10. This day week we shall go to
the country. 11. It is hard to get along with him. 12. What
can I do for you ?
1. laptt 2. ftc^en. 3. \oUt\\, ?u[t. 4. nicf)t. .5. 33e(?rtff, 9?e(f)nung.
6. fagen, ^antoffell^clb. 7. 9lab. 8. ol^nUc^. 9. ^eute, ®aft. 10. ^cutc,
?aub. 11. m\\ä)t. 12. gcfämg.
XIX
I. All aboard for Aachen. 2. Where do we change cars for
Dresden? 3. Have you bought your ticket ? 4. Shall we travel
second or third class ? 5. Do we go by way of Cologne ? 6. We
are going to make a little side-trip to Mannheim, but for the
present we shall stay here. 7. We shall arrive at Frankfort this
evening. 8. We may consider ourselves lucky that we did not
travel by that train. 9. That's the way of the world. 10. When
in Rome, do as the Romans do. 11. Will the ladies and gentle-
men dine now? 12. Waiter, the bill, please.
1. cinfteigcn. 2. umfteigen. 3. löfcn. 4. fa'^rcn. 5. über. 6. %h'
ftecf)er, ^anb. 7. eintreffen. 8. fagen. 9. l^erge'^en. 10. Reuten. 11. ^txv'
fd^aft. 12. jagten.
XX
I. How old do you take him to be ? 2. He is some eighty
years old. 3. W^hat is the state of his health ? 4, He is ill, or
even dead by this time. 5. We do not wish to be a burden on
you. 6. There is not a soul at home. 7, What do you infer
EXERCISES '97
from that? 8. It is all Greek to me. 9. I have often given
him a lecture, but he always takes his own way. 10. His scheme
came to nought. 11. All is not lost yet. 12. He would be
here unless he is ill.
1. fcJ^Qljcn. 2. einig. 3. SBeftnbcn. 4. gar. 5. ?Qft. 6. 2Renjc^.
I. jrf)Iic§cn. 8. bö^mijc^. 9. lefen, l^onbeln. 10. SSoffcr. 11. ^olcn.
12. muffen.
XXI
I. I am doing this of my own free will. 2. Now is the time
to show your colors. 3. I can not bring myself to put the old
dog out of the way. 4. Let us think no more of it. 5. Well,
what strange things can happen in this world ! 6. We all had
a narrow escape. 7. That comes in just right. 8. I am quite
agreeable that you should try other means. 9. What has become
of my hat? 10. I have lost track of him. 11. A good begin-
ning is half the battle. 12. He sticks to me like a burr.
1. frei. 2. gelten, garbe. 3. ^erj, fdjoffcn. 4. fc^Iagen. 5. nein.
6. tnapp. 7. treffen. 8. rec^t, etnfc^Iogen. 9. I^infommen. 10. fommen.
II. frtfd). 12.
XXII
I. Can you give me change for five dollars? 2. Every one
has his limitations. 3. We shall not do that in any event.
4. There is no remedy for death. 5. He is low-spirited and
mutters. 6. They are hand and glove together. 7. Not till
then did it occur to me that I had no money about me. 8. We
could scarcely keep from laughing. 9. Time will show whether
he is adapted to the position. 10. It is all up with him.
II. Th^t proved effectual with him. 12. You must not make
sport of him.
1. herausgeben. 2. SBaunt. 3. ^alt. 4. Äraut. 5. ©rifle, S3art.
6. S)e(fe- 7. erft, bet. 8. entl)alten. 9. teuren, paffen. 10. SJiatt^äu«.
11. anfc^Iagen. 12. befl.
98 EXERCISES
XXIII
I. If one has a well-filled purse, he can make his way through
the world. 2. Do not mispronounce the word. 3. There is
no use crying over spilt mUk. 4. He has big ideas and puts on
airs. 5. I do not trouble my head about it. 6. He makes
great pretensions, but is highly respected. 7. In short, from
this day forth things must go differently. 8. He is flourish-
ing. 9. That beats everything. 10. He has his own troubles.
II. You'd better not come. 12. In the abstract it is true.
1. 58örjc, SScIt. 2. folfc^. 3. änbent. 4. ^opl brcit. 5. fiimmcnt.
6. 5lujpruci), angcje^cn. 7. machen, an. 8. SBcijcn. 9. über. 10. dlot
11. lieber. 12. für.
XXIV
I. It makes no difference whether he flares up or not. 2. I
lose all patience with those who are always picking a quarrel.
3. Do you attach much importance to it? 4. They are on good
terms with each other. 5. It amounts to the same thing. 6. I
do not agree with him. 7. If this seat is not engaged, you
may bring me a sandwich. 8. Will you do an errand for me ?
9. Do not stand on ceremony. 10. Do not be too hard on him.
II. It is not as easy as it looks. 12. His life is at stake.
1. QU«mo(f)en, ^euer. 2. auSgctien, §anbel. 3. legen. 4. gu^. 5. fjer-
augfommen. 6. übereinftimmen. 7. belegt. 8. @ang. 9. Umftanb.
10. ®eri(^t. 11. ^aten. 12. ?eben.
XXV
I. Now tell us what to do. 2. You must accommodate your-
self to his wishes if you wish to accomplish anything. 3. Is he
angry with you ? 4. Somebody must have given him a hint of
it. 5. I gave him a good scolding. 6. The physician has set
him on his feet again. 7. I shall give him a lecture. 8. Don't
you do it. 9. I can not get it out of my head, 10, We come
*
EXERCISES 99
with the intention of learning, ii. Where is he employed?
12. Open the book.
1. Sftat. 2. rid)ten, ausrichten. 3. böfe. 4. ftecfen. 5. ^elg. 6. 2)amm.
7. lefcn. 8. bleiben. 9. @inn. 10. 5lbft(f)t. 11. anftetten. 12. aufschlagen.
XXVI
I. We must find that out. 2. Do you look forward to it with
pleasure ? 3. I will allow that you are right. 4. Shall we con-
sider the matter in private ? 5. We will need that anyhow.
6. Do not act as if you were not in your right senses. 7. Make
yourself at home. 8. Tell me what it is all about. 9. He
spares no pains in anything. 10. Necessity knows no law.
II. The worst is over. 12. Time will show.
1. au«finbig. 2. barauf. 3. joUen. 4. 5Iuge. 5. fo. 6. anfteUen, bei.
7. bequem. 8. t)anbeln. 9. öerbrte^en. 10. (Sifen. 11. fd^wer. 12. lehren.
XXVII
I. What is the use of crying ? You escaped unharmed. 2. If
he had not abandoned me, I should have given him a fresh
start. 3. It was intended to anger me. 4. If I could get at
him, I would give him a whipping. 5. There is no doubt that
he was rebuffed. 6. It is to be had for nothing. 7. Things
have taken a new turn. 8. He is in reduced circumstances.
9. He always paid in advance. 10. I'll take no orders from
you. II. I can not agree to that. 12. He makes a poor
appearance.
1. follen, ^aut. 2. @tid^, S3ttn. 3. anlegen. 4. beifommen, @ci)Iag.
5. 3rt)eifel, abbilden. 6. umfonft. 7. tt)enben. 8. herunter. 9. öorauS.
10. befehlen. 11. eingetjen. 12. ausnehmen.
XXVIII
I. I am in the humor to give you a blowing up. 2. He tried
to humbug me. 3. How is he behaving ? 4. So far as I am
100 ' EXERCISES
concerned, I shall make short work of it. 5. Please step this
way. 6. They can manage him easily. 7. How high up in his
class is he ? 8. That was a good guess. 9. Let him do as he
likes. 10. The enemy was put to the sword. 11. Why reject
the good with the bad ? 12. Now we will stop work for the day.
1. 3iig, Äopf. 2. 36. 3. aupt)ren. 4. betreffen, ^eberlcfen. .5. be^
mii^en. 6. Ieid)t. 7. trieüielt. 8, roten. 9. fd^alten. 10. .^Unge.
11. Äinb. 12. geierabenb.
XXIX
I. He is not the man for it. 2. Will he become a physician ?
He is not likely to. 3. His name has slipped my memory.
4. You are bored because you do not know how to take a joke.
5. A burnt child dreads the fire. 6. I'll make him suffer for it.
7. My plan miscarried. 8. His work has been successful be-
cause he thought it worth while. 9. He departed this life in
his best years. 10. Mark what I tell you. 11, Everything is
topsy-turvy here. 12. I am in a hurry.
1. 3fW9- 2. au6fef)en. 3. entfalten. 4. ^angetneile, @pa^. 5. (grfa!^=
rung. 6. entgelten. 7. fe^If(^Iagen. 8. geraten, Mü\)t, 9. jeitlic^, Sllter.
10. ac^t. 11. brübcr. 12. (Sue.
XXX
I. They pulled themselves together and stood the test.
2. Were you among the number, too ? 3. They were all young
people. 4. It is his way to presume too much, 5. Will you
join us in the trip? 6. Don't be so inquisitive. 7» Some time
we will meet again. 8. We should consider it our duty to do it.
9. Beware of this man. 10. I shall not put an obstacle in his
way. II. He has a good reputation. 12. And there's an end
of it.
1. gufommenne^men, ^robe. 2. barnnter. 3. louter. 4. 5(rt, anmaßen.
5. Partie. 6. 53aner. 7. 3a^r. 8. anfe^en. 9. f)üten. 10. legen.
11. $Ruf. 12. ^unftuui.
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