1. Du bist mit dem linken Fuß aufgestanden. You got up on the wrong foot. (Meaning – your in a bad mood.) Literal German: You got up with the left foot. (aufstehen – to stand up)

2. Mir reißt die Geduld! My patience is wearing thin. (Meaning – My patience with you is close to the end) Literal German: My Patience is being ripped. (reißen – to rip)

3. Deine Unhöflichkeit lasse ich mir nicht gefallen. Im not putting up with your impoliteness! (Meaning – Im not going to allow your impoliteness.) Literal German: I will not let your impoliteness please me. (gefallen – to like / please)

4. Er ist durch die Luft gegangen. He has gone through the roof. (Meaning – He has lost his temper. / become very mad) Literal German: He has gone through the air.

5. Das ist ein wunder Punkt. That is a sore point. (Meaning – that topic is hurtful ) Literal German: That is a wounded point.

6. Das sitzt wie angegossen. That fits like a glove. (Meaning – That is a perfect fit.) Literal German: That sits like it was poured on. (gießen – to pour)

7. Die Touristen sind im Gänsemarsch hingegangen. The tourist went in walking single file. (Meaning – to be walking in a line) Literal German: The tourists went in like a row of marching geese.

8. Wir sind im Flugzeug wie Heringe gedrängt. We were packed into the airplane like sardines. (Meaning – to be packed very close together / overcrowded) Literal German: We were packed into the airplane like Herrings. (drängen – to crowd)

9. Das Auto sieht wie aus dem Ei gepellt. The car looks spick and span. (Meaning – to be very clean looking) Literal German: The car looks like it has been peeled out of the egg. (pellen – to peel)

10. Es ist zum Bersten voll. It is filled to the bursting point. (Meaning – it is completely full) Literal German: It is full to bursting. (bersten – to burst)

11. Man soll das Fell des Bären nicht verteilen, bevor man ihn erlegt hat. Dont count your chickens before they hatch. (Meaning – dont make assumptions) Literal German: One should not divide the pelt of the bear up, before one has killed him. (verteilen – to divide / erlegen – to slay)

12. Das kommt nicht in Frage. That is out of the question. (Meaning – it is not even to be considered.) Literal German: That comes not into question. (fragen – to ask)

13. Andere Länder, andere Sitten. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. (Meaning – different people have different customs) Literal German: different (other) countries, different (other) customs

14. Du hast den Nagel auf dem Kopf getroffen. You hit the nail on the head. (Meaning – That is exactly right / correct.) Literal German: You have hit the nail on the head. (treffen – to hit / to meet)