You never really know a language until you can understand its idioms and it can feel really good when you use a few of them yourself! German has a rich variety of such phrases. Last year we brought you 8 idioms all about sausages – this time, we have four with animals!
- 1. Da liegt der Hund begraben.
Literally: That’s where the dog is buried.
Meaning: That’s the heart of the matter.
- 2. Wo sich Fuchs und Hase gute Nacht sagen.
Literally: Where the fox and the hare say goodnight.
Meaning: A very rural location. To use the English idiom – in the middle of nowhere.
- 3. Das ist ein Katzensprung von hier.
Literally: That is a cat’s jump from here.
Meaning: It is very close.
- 4. Ich habe Schwein gehabt!
Literally: I have had a pig!
Meaning: the pig is thought to be a lucky animal, so this idiom means that you have been very lucky.
As with all idioms, the key is to use them sparingly. Especially as a non-native speaker it is important to make sure you use them appropriately and that they do not obscure the meaning of what you are trying to say.
What are your favourite idioms?