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Typical German Expressions in English: 15 Idioms You Should Know
Translating typical German expressions into English correctly is trickier than you might think. If you translate "Ich drücke dir die Daumen" literally, you will only get confused looks. In this lesson you will learn 15 of the most popular German idioms and their correct English equivalents. From "Butter bei die Fische" to "Das ist mir Wurst" — with interactive exercises and a final quiz you will master the most important idioms for work and everyday life.
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15 German Idioms and Their English Equivalents
German idioms are among the biggest challenges when learning English. Expressions like "Ich drücke dir die Daumen", "Das ist nicht mein Bier", or "Da steppt der Bär" cannot be translated literally — and that regularly leads to misunderstandings in professional life.
In this interactive lesson we show you the correct English equivalents for 15 typical German expressions. You will learn:
- Which English idioms convey the same meaning
- Why literal translations often fail and cause confusion
- Cultural background: Why Germans talk about sausage and beer while the English prefer cats and birds
- How to use the idioms confidently in meetings, emails, and small talk
With 12 interactive exercises, a final quiz, and an accompanying video, you will quickly internalise these expressions.
Includes interactive exercises and final test. Duration: approx. 18 minutes.
Email Vocabulary
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The First 5 Expressions
5 words
Ich drücke dir die Daumen
To wish someone good luck. In English you cross your fingers, in German you press your thumbs.
I'll keep my fingers crossed for your job interview!
Das ist nicht mein Bier
It's none of my business, it's not my concern. In English, tea replaces beer: That's not my cup of tea.
Whether he arrives on time is not my problem.
Da steppt der Bär
Something exciting is happening there. English equivalent: That's where the party is / It's a blast.
The company party was a real blast!
Jetzt mal Butter bei die Fische
To get to the point, to be concrete. English equivalent: Let's get down to brass tacks.
Enough small talk — let's get down to brass tacks!
Alles hat ein Ende, nur die Wurst hat zwei
Everything comes to an end eventually. English equivalent: All good things must come to an end.
The summer holidays are over — all good things must come to an end.
Cultural Note
Cultural Note: German idioms often revolve around food and drink (beer, sausage, butter, mustard), while English idioms frequently use animals or body parts (let the cat out of the bag, break a leg). These cultural differences make literal translations particularly risky!
Exercise 1: Matching — German and English Idioms
Click on a word on the left and then on the matching translation on the right.
Expressions 6–10: Everyday Life and Business
More Typical Expressions for Everyday Life and Business
The next five expressions are particularly common in professional contexts and everyday conversations. Especially in business English, it is important to use these expressions correctly to avoid misunderstandings.
Note: Many of these phrases cannot be translated word for word. The key is to understand the meaning and know the appropriate English idiom — not the individual words.
Expressions 6–10
5 words
Seinen Senf dazugeben
To give your opinion without being asked. English equivalent: To put in one's two cents.
He always has to put in his two cents.
Tomaten auf den Augen haben
To not see something obvious. English equivalent: To be blind as a bat.
Are you blind as a bat? The solution is right in front of you!
Den Nagel auf den Kopf treffen
To say or do exactly the right thing. This idiom exists almost identically in English: To hit the nail on the head.
Your analysis hit the nail on the head.
Die Katze aus dem Sack lassen
To reveal a secret. This phrase is virtually identical in English: To let the cat out of the bag.
Let me let the cat out of the bag: we're expanding to Berlin!
Auf dem Holzweg sein
To be mistaken, to be wrong. English equivalent: To be barking up the wrong tree.
If you think the problem is in marketing, you're barking up the wrong tree.
Exercise 2: The Correct English Equivalent
What does 'seinen Senf dazugeben' mean in English?
Exercise 3: True or False?
'Das ist nicht mein Bier' can be translated as 'That's not my beer' in English.
Expressions 11–15: Advanced Expressions
Advanced Expressions for Confident Communication
The last five expressions are somewhat more demanding and are particularly suited for advanced learners who want to take their language skills to the next level. These phrases add more colour and authenticity to your English communication.
Pay special attention to the different images Germans and English speakers use: Where Germans talk about sausages and thumbs, the English use horses, hats, and cakes. Understanding these cultural differences makes you a more confident communicator.
Expressions 11–15
5 words
Das Leben ist kein Ponyhof
Life is not always easy and pleasant. English equivalent: Life is no bed of roses.
Life is no bed of roses — sometimes you have to do unpleasant tasks too.
Jemanden auf die Palme bringen
To make someone very angry or crazy. English equivalent: To drive someone up the wall.
His constant interruptions drive me up the wall!
Nicht alle Tassen im Schrank haben
To not be quite right in the head. English equivalent: To have a screw loose.
Anyone who goes out without a jacket in this weather has a screw loose.
Zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe schlagen
To achieve two goals at once. English equivalent: To kill two birds with one stone.
With the meeting in Berlin we kill two birds with one stone — client meeting and team building.
Das ist mir Wurst
I don't mind, it doesn't matter to me. English equivalent: I couldn't care less.
Whether we eat Italian or Greek, I couldn't care less.
Tip
Tip for the workplace: In a business context, use colloquial idioms carefully. 'Let's get down to brass tacks' works in an informal meeting, but in a formal presentation 'Let's focus on the key points' would be more appropriate. Know the context before you use an idiom!
Exercise 4: Fill in the Blanks — Complete the Idioms
I'll keep my fingers ______ for your exam tomorrow!
Exercise 5: Translation — German Idioms
German
Ich drücke dir die Daumen für morgen!
Common Mistakes When Translating Idioms
How to Avoid Embarrassing Translation Errors
The most common mistake German English learners make is the literal translation of idioms. Here are three examples that regularly cause confusion:
- "I press you the thumbs" — No English speaker understands this! Correct: I'll keep my fingers crossed.
- "That's not my beer" — Sounds absurd in English. Correct: That's not my cup of tea.
- "I only understand train station" — Makes no sense in English. Correct: It's all Greek to me.
The rule is simple: Translate the meaning, not the words. If you don't know an idiom in English, it's better to paraphrase the meaning in simple words than to risk a literal translation.
Exercise 6: Sentence Builder — Use Idioms Correctly
Translation: I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
Final Quiz: German Idioms in English
How do you correctly translate 'Ich drücke dir die Daumen'?
More Lessons
English Proofreading for Academic Texts: What You Need to Know
Academic Writing in English: The Complete Guide for German Students
English Proofreading: 10 Tricks for Error-Free Texts
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