Bedeutung
To be in a hostile conflict with someone.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Greece, family conflicts can be very intense and long-lasting. Being 'στα μαχαίρια' with a relative is a serious social situation that often involves the whole extended family taking sides. In Crete, the knife (μαχαίρι) is a symbol of manhood and honor. While the idiom is used all over Greece, it has a stronger historical resonance in Crete where literal knife-fighting was once a way to settle 'vendettas'. Greek political culture is highly adversarial. It is very common to see 'Στα μαχαίρια' as a headline in newspapers like 'Kathimerini' or 'Proto Thema' to describe disagreements between ministers. If you know two people are 'στα μαχαίρια', it is considered a major social 'faux pas' to invite them to the same small dinner party or sit them at the same table at a wedding.
Use with 'βρίσκομαι'
If you want to sound more like a native speaker in a serious discussion, use 'βρίσκομαι στα μαχαίρια' instead of 'είμαι'.
Don't use for small tiffs
If you just had a small disagreement, don't use this phrase. It implies a deep, serious break in the relationship.
Bedeutung
To be in a hostile conflict with someone.
Use with 'βρίσκομαι'
If you want to sound more like a native speaker in a serious discussion, use 'βρίσκομαι στα μαχαίρια' instead of 'είμαι'.
Don't use for small tiffs
If you just had a small disagreement, don't use this phrase. It implies a deep, serious break in the relationship.
Gossip context
This is the perfect phrase for 'koutsompolio' (gossip). Greeks love using it to describe the drama in other people's lives.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Ο Νίκος και ο Γιώργος δεν μιλάνε πια. Είναι ______ ______.
The correct form is 'στα' (preposition + article) and 'μαχαίρια' (plural).
Which sentence correctly uses the idiom?
Choose the correct sentence:
The idiom is used to describe a conflict between people, not for eating or as a physical object.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Two political parties refuse to vote for the same law and insult each other in public.
'Στα μαχαίρια' is the only phrase that describes conflict.
Complete the dialogue.
Α: Θα έρθει ο Γιάννης στο τραπέζι; Β: Όχι, ο πατέρας μου και ο Γιάννης ________________.
This explains why someone wouldn't attend a family gathering.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenΟ Νίκος και ο Γιώργος δεν μιλάνε πια. Είναι ______ ______.
The correct form is 'στα' (preposition + article) and 'μαχαίρια' (plural).
Choose the correct sentence:
The idiom is used to describe a conflict between people, not for eating or as a physical object.
Two political parties refuse to vote for the same law and insult each other in public.
'Στα μαχαίρια' is the only phrase that describes conflict.
Α: Θα έρθει ο Γιάννης στο τραπέζι; Β: Όχι, ο πατέρας μου και ο Γιάννης ________________.
This explains why someone wouldn't attend a family gathering.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
4 FragenIt describes an aggressive situation, but the phrase itself is a standard idiom and not considered rude to say.
Yes, if the breakup was very messy and the two people now hate each other, 'είναι στα μαχαίρια' is perfect.
The opposite is 'είμαστε μες στα μέλια' (we are in honey), meaning we are very affectionate and getting along perfectly.
Yes, the definite article 'τα' is mandatory. You cannot say 'είμαι σε μαχαίρια'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
τα σπάσαμε
similarWe broke it/them (we broke up).
δεν μιλιόμαστε
builds onWe are not speaking to each other.
σκοτωθήκαμε
similarWe killed each other (we had a huge fight).
τα βρήκαμε
contrastWe found them (we made up).
