Idiom: mit dem linken Bein zuerst aufgestanden sein
Explanation: Be in a bad mood, literally 'have got out of bed left leg first'. The origins of this expression lie in the old superstition that the left side is the unlucky side. If you start the day on the wrong side, everything will go wrong.
Examples: Warum bist du denn heute morgen so kurz angebunden? Bist du mit dem linken Bein zuerst aufgestanden? Du solltest ihn besser nicht ansprechen, denn er hat schlechte Laune. Wahrscheinlich ist er mit dem linken Bein zuerst aufgestanden.
Sense: have got out of bed on the wrong side
|
Free resources for Students/Lecturers
A Dictionary Skills Resource Pack is available to download from the Oxford German Dictionary Companion website. It includes special lecture notes and exercises to help improve your (or your student's) dictionary skills. Visit the Oxford German Dictionary Companion website.
German Dictionaries
If you want to browse Oxford's extensive range of German dictionaries, self-study language courses, and vocabulary builders, visit the AskOxford shop.
Key titles:
Oxford German Dictionary
Concise Oxford German Dictionary
Pocket Oxford German Dictionary
Learn German with Take Off In
Test your basic knowledge of German with these online interactive activities.
Essential Phrases
Brush up on your German with these essential words and phrases.
General Advice on Writing in German
Our section on writing in German will help improve your written German and provides guidance on punctuation, spelling, and grammar.
Writing Letters in German
The information on writing letters in German offers guidance on the layout of letters and will help avoid misunderstandings or misinterpretations.
You can also download specimen letters of formal and informal correspondence.
» Read other articles
|