A-Level German — Advanced Vocabulary & Idioms

Front

sich ins Zeug legen

Back

Idiom: 'to put one's best foot forward' or 'to strive hard'. Usage: 'Sie hat sich für die Prüfung ins Zeug gelegt' (She really strove for the exam). Context: Often used in formal or school contexts regarding effort.

Front

jemandem den Daumen drücken

Back

Idiom: 'to keep one's fingers crossed for someone'. Literal translation: 'to press the thumb for someone'. Usage: 'Ich drücke dir den Daumen' (I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you). Note: Very common well-wish.

Front

einen Korb geben

Back

Idiom: 'to give someone the brush-off' or 'to reject someone' (romantically or socially). Literal: 'to give a basket'. Usage: 'Er hat ihr einen Korb gegeben' (He gave her the brush-off).

Front

das Ei des Kolumbus

Back

Idiom: 'a simple but brilliant solution' to a complex problem. Literal: 'Columbus's egg'. Context: Refers to the apocryphal story of Columbus balancing an egg on its tip. Usage: 'Das ist das Ei des Kolumbus!'

Front

Schwamm drüber

Back

Idiom: 'let's forget about it' or 'let bygones be bygones'. Literal: 'sponge over it'. Usage: 'Mach doch einfach Schwamm drüber!' (Just forget about it!).