The best way to learn new things is by doing it in a fun way. German idioms can be quite funny if taken literally. Thus, using them to pick up some new words, you can have a great laugh and in the process also learn how to sound more like a native.
In my opinion, it is the fact that the idioms of another language (German in this case) seems irrational to us, that makes it funny. That is merely because idioms are something of a secret to the people of that language.
20 German Idioms
1 eine Extrawurst verlangen
Literal Meaning: to ask for an extra sausage
English Equivalent: to ask for special treatment
2 ein Fisch auf dem Trockenen
Literal Meaning: a fish on the dry
English Equivalent: a fish out of water
3 das ist mir Wurst
Literal Meaning: it is about the sausage
English Equivalent: it’s all the same to me
4 dir haben sie wohl etwas in den Kaffee getan
Literal Meaning: you’ve probably done something to the coffee
English Equivalent: you’ve got to be kidding
5 die Katze im Sack kaufen
Literal Meaning: to buy a cat in a sack
English Equivalent: to buy something without inspecting it first
6 da steppt der Bar
Literal Meaning: the bear dances there
English Equivalent: it will be a good party
7 Tomaten auf den Augen haben
Literal Meaning: to have tomatoes in your eyes
English Equivalent: he has his head in the sand
8 was Hänschen nicht lernt, lernt Hans nimmermehr
Literal Meaning: what little Hans did not learn. adult Hans never will
English Equivalent: you can’t teach an old dog new tricks
9 da liegt der Hund begraben
Literal Meaning: that’s where the dog is buried
English Equivalent: that’s the heart of the matter
10 da kannst du Gift drauf nehmen
Literal Meaning: to take poison on something
English equivalent: you can bet your life on that
11 zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe schlagen
Literal Meaning: to kill two flies with one swat
English Equivalent: to kill two birds with one stone
12 Himmel und Hölle in Bewegung setzen
Literal Meaning: to put heaven and hell in motion
English Equivalent: to move heaven and earth
13 ich drucke dir die Daumen
Literal Meaning: to press your thumbs for someone
English Equivalent: I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you
14 nicht alle seine Tassen sind im Schrank
Literal Meaning: he does not have all of his cups in the cupboard
English Equivalent: he has lost his marbles
15 ich verstehe nur Bahnhof
Literal Meaning: to only understand train station
English Equivalent: something is all Greek to you.
16 hier spielt die Musik
Literal Meaning: this is where the music is playing
English Equivalent: this is where the action is
17 die Kirche im Dorf lassen
Literal Meaning: to leave the church in the village
English Equivalent: to not get carried away
18 Schwein haben
Literal Meaning: to have a pig
English Equivalent: to have a stroke of luck
19 ins Gras beißen
Literal Meaning: to bite into the grass
English Equivalent: to kick the bucket
20 den Hut nehmen müssen
Literal Meaning: you must take the hat
English Equivalent: to have to pack one’s bags
Go have some fun with these random sentences, which turns out not to be random at all. Let me know of other German idioms that you deem worthy of this list.
xoxo,
Charlé
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