Wein auf Bier, das rat ich dir. Bier auf Wein, das lasse sein. = Liquor before beer, you’re in the clear. But beer before liquor, never sicker.

Modern usage: yes

Literally: Wine after beer, I advise. Beer after wine, leave it be.

mit einem Bein im Grab stehen = (to) have one foot in the grave

Literally: (to) stand with one leg in the grave

Modern usage: no

jemandem auf den Wecker gehen = (to) drive somebody up the wall

Literally: (to) drive somebody up the alarmclock

Modern usage: yes

in den sauren Apfel beißen = (to) bite the bullet

Literally: (to) bite the sour apple

Modern usage: yes

Ende gut alles gut. = All’s well that ends well.

Literally: End good all good.

Modern usage: yes

Eine Hand wäscht die andere. = One good turn deserves another.

Literally: One hand washes the other.

Modern usage: yes

die Katze aus dem Sack lassen = (to) let the cat out of the bag

Literally: the same

Modern usage: no

Dein Wunsch sei mir Befehl. = Your wish is my command.

Literally: the same

Modern usage: yes

Das ist hinausgeworfenes Geld. = That’s throwing good money away.

Literally: That’s thrown out money.

Modern usage: yes

Being able to use #idioms or sayings in a foreign language doesn’t only make the usage more fun. It also shows people you’re talking to that you’re interested in their language on a different level.

That’s why I wanna teach you German idioms, too. Some of them are used all the time - almost without noticing it. Some are rather rare or oldfashioned, but still important and interesting to learn.

Dividing them into “ok to use” and “oldfashioned” is of course subjective. But I’ll tell you anyhow. And: Apart from the corresponding translation, I’ll also add a literal translation, because sometimes it’s suprising and fun to read it.

Ready for your first German idiom?

Zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe schlagen = (to) hit two birds with one stone.

Literally: (to) hit two flies with one flap

Modern usage: yes