A2 Idiom Informal

Auf dem Zahnfleisch gehen.

Be on one's last legs.

Significado

To be extremely tired or exhausted.

🌍

Contexto cultural

Germans value hard work, but they also have a strong culture of complaining about work stress. This phrase is a socially acceptable way to vent. Similar to Germany, Austrians use this phrase frequently in casual settings to express exhaustion. Swiss German speakers also understand and use this phrase, though they might sometimes use local variations. While the phrase is German, the concept of 'burnout' is global, and expats in Germany often learn this phrase quickly to fit in.

💡

Use it with 'wir'

It's great for team solidarity. 'Wir gehen alle auf dem Zahnfleisch' shows you are in it together.

⚠️

Don't use with superiors

Keep it for friends. Your boss might think you are complaining too much.

Significado

To be extremely tired or exhausted.

💡

Use it with 'wir'

It's great for team solidarity. 'Wir gehen alle auf dem Zahnfleisch' shows you are in it together.

⚠️

Don't use with superiors

Keep it for friends. Your boss might think you are complaining too much.

Ponte a prueba

Fill in the missing part of the idiom.

Nach der langen Woche gehe ich auf dem __________.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Zahnfleisch

The idiom is 'auf dem Zahnfleisch gehen'.

Which sentence correctly uses the idiom?

Choose the best sentence.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Ich gehe auf dem Zahnfleisch, weil ich so müde bin.

The first option is the only one with correct grammar and usage.

Complete the dialogue.

A: 'Du siehst müde aus.' B: 'Ja, __________.'

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: ich gehe auf dem Zahnfleisch

The context of being tired matches the idiom.

Match the situation to the feeling.

You worked 14 hours today. How do you feel?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Ich gehe auf dem Zahnfleisch

14 hours of work leads to extreme exhaustion.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Ayudas visuales

Banco de ejercicios

4 ejercicios
Fill in the missing part of the idiom. Fill Blank A2

Nach der langen Woche gehe ich auf dem __________.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Zahnfleisch

The idiom is 'auf dem Zahnfleisch gehen'.

Which sentence correctly uses the idiom? Choose B1

Choose the best sentence.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Ich gehe auf dem Zahnfleisch, weil ich so müde bin.

The first option is the only one with correct grammar and usage.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion A2

A: 'Du siehst müde aus.' B: 'Ja, __________.'

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: ich gehe auf dem Zahnfleisch

The context of being tired matches the idiom.

Match the situation to the feeling. situation_matching B1

You worked 14 hours today. How do you feel?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Ich gehe auf dem Zahnfleisch

14 hours of work leads to extreme exhaustion.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No, it's only for exhaustion.

No, it's informal but not rude.

No, always singular.

Yes, very common.

It can imply lack of resources, but usually means energy.

Only to a close friend.

Voller Energie sein.

Yes.

It's better to use 'gehen'.

tsahn-fly-sh.

Frases relacionadas

🔄

Am Ende sein

synonym

To be at the end

🔗

Aus dem letzten Loch pfeifen

similar

To whistle from the last hole

🔄

Völlig fertig sein

synonym

To be completely finished

🔗

Keinen Saft mehr haben

similar

To have no juice left

¿Te ha servido?
¡No hay comentarios todavía. Sé el primero en compartir tus ideas!