Bedeutung
To be safe from criticism or attack
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase is a staple of 'parapolitika' (political gossip/insider news). It reflects the public's belief that political elites enjoy a 'shield' of protection. Journalists use this phrase to criticize their own industry, accusing certain channels of keeping specific businessmen 'στο απυρόβλητο'. In traditional Greek families, the 'benjamin' (youngest child) or the first-born son is often 'στο απυρόβλητο', receiving less discipline than others. Fans of the 'big three' football clubs (Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, AEK) constantly accuse each other of being 'στο απυρόβλητο' of the federation.
Use with 'μένω'
If you want to sound more natural when describing a long-term situation, use 'παραμένει στο απυρόβλητο' instead of just 'είναι'.
Don't use for objects
This idiom is almost exclusively for people, groups, or institutions. Don't use it for your phone being safe in a case!
Bedeutung
To be safe from criticism or attack
Use with 'μένω'
If you want to sound more natural when describing a long-term situation, use 'παραμένει στο απυρόβλητο' instead of just 'είναι'.
Don't use for objects
This idiom is almost exclusively for people, groups, or institutions. Don't use it for your phone being safe in a case!
Sarcasm Alert
Greeks often use this with a heavy dose of sarcasm. Pay attention to the tone of voice.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Ο διευθυντής είναι πάντα _______ απυρόβλητο.
The idiom always uses the preposition 'στο' (σε + το).
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Choose the correct usage:
The idiom is used for metaphorical safety from criticism or consequences, not physical protection.
Match the situation to the meaning of 'στο απυρόβλητο'.
A celebrity is never criticized by the press.
When the media refuses to attack someone, they are 'στο απυρόβλητο των ΜΜΕ'.
Complete the dialogue.
Α: Γιατί δεν τιμωρήθηκε ο Γιάννης για το λάθος του; Β: Ξέρεις πώς είναι αυτά... ________.
The context of not being punished for a mistake perfectly fits 'είναι στο απυρόβλητο'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenΟ διευθυντής είναι πάντα _______ απυρόβλητο.
The idiom always uses the preposition 'στο' (σε + το).
Choose the correct usage:
The idiom is used for metaphorical safety from criticism or consequences, not physical protection.
A celebrity is never criticized by the press.
When the media refuses to attack someone, they are 'στο απυρόβλητο των ΜΜΕ'.
Α: Γιατί δεν τιμωρήθηκε ο Γιάννης για το λάθος του; Β: Ξέρεις πώς είναι αυτά... ________.
The context of not being punished for a mistake perfectly fits 'είναι στο απυρόβλητο'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenUsually negative or critical. It implies that someone is getting away with something or is unfairly protected.
Yes, if you feel like you are being unfairly blamed, you might say 'Εγώ δεν είμαι στο απυρόβλητο, γιατί με κατηγορείτε μόνο εμένα;'
The opposite is 'είμαι στο στόχαστρο' (to be in the crosshairs/targeted).
Yes, it is very common in high-level journalism and political essays.
No, in this idiom it is always neuter.
Yes, this is a common way to specify what the person is safe from.
Etymologically yes, but practically no. It's about criticism.
Use the verb 'βάζω': 'Τον έβαλαν στο απυρόβλητο'.
No, it's a standard idiom, though it can be used in slangy contexts.
Yes, very common in sports to describe a team that seems to get all the favorable calls.
Verwandte Redewendungen
ασυλία
similarLegal immunity
υπεράνω πάσης υποψίας
similarAbove all suspicion
δεν τον αγγίζει τίποτα
synonymNothing touches him
στο στόχαστρο
contrastIn the crosshairs / targeted
βγάζω στη σέντρα
contrastTo expose someone
