ein Auge zudrücken
To turn a blind eye
بهطور تحتاللفظی: ein (one) Auge (eye) zudrücken (to press shut)
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- To deliberately overlook a minor mistake or rule violation.
- Used when being lenient or asking for a small favor.
- Best for social, workplace, or low-stakes everyday situations.
معنی
It means choosing to ignore a small mistake or rule-breaking instead of punishing someone. It is like giving someone a 'free pass' just this once.
مثالهای کلیدی
3 از 6Arriving late to a meeting
Ich bin zu spät, aber mein Chef hat noch mal ein Auge zugedrückt.
I'm late, but my boss turned a blind eye once again.
Texting a friend who forgot to pay you back
Kein Problem, ich drücke diesmal ein Auge zu.
No problem, I'll turn a blind eye this time.
Asking a librarian to stay 2 minutes late
Könnten Sie bitte ein Auge zudrücken? Ich muss nur noch eine Seite kopieren.
Could you please turn a blind eye? I just need to copy one more page.
زمینه فرهنگی
In Germany, 'ein Auge zudrücken' is often linked to the concept of 'Beamtenmikado'—the idea that even strict officials are human and can be persuaded to be flexible if you are polite. In Switzerland, rules are often followed very strictly. 'Ein Auge zudrücken' might happen less often in formal settings than in Germany, making it even more appreciated when it does. Austrian culture is sometimes seen as more 'gemütlich' (cozy/relaxed). The phrase fits perfectly into the Austrian 'Schmäh' (charm/humor) where rules are seen as guidelines. Modern German startups use this phrase to signal a 'Fehlerkultur' (error culture) where small mistakes are seen as learning opportunities rather than reasons for punishment.
Use with 'mal'
Adding 'mal' (Ich drücke heute *mal* ein Auge zu) makes the sentence sound much more natural and friendly.
Don't use for crimes
Remember, this is for 'Kavaliersdelikte' (minor offenses). Using it for serious matters sounds wrong.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- To deliberately overlook a minor mistake or rule violation.
- Used when being lenient or asking for a small favor.
- Best for social, workplace, or low-stakes everyday situations.
What It Means
Imagine someone catches you doing something slightly wrong. Maybe you parked where you shouldn't. Instead of writing a ticket, the officer smiles and walks away. That is ein Auge zudrücken. You are literally 'pressing one eye shut' so you don't see the full crime. It is about mercy and being human. It is not about ignoring a bank robbery. It is about the small things in life.
How To Use It
You use this phrase when you want to be lenient. It usually follows the verb können or wollen. For example: Kannst du mal ein Auge zudrücken? This is your go-to line when you are five minutes late. Or when you forgot your homework. It works like a charm for minor slip-ups. Just remember to use the accusative case for the eye!
When To Use It
Use it at a restaurant if you arrive after the kitchen closes. Use it with your boss if you missed a deadline by an hour. It is perfect for social situations where rules feel too stiff. It is great for texting a friend who is late. It shows you are chill and not a robot. Use it when the mistake is harmless but technically against the rules.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for serious crimes or big betrayals. If someone steals your car, don't say you'll 'shut an eye.' That sounds weird and far too casual. Also, avoid using it in very high-stakes legal contracts. It is a human expression, not a legal term. If the mistake caused real pain, this phrase might sound dismissive. Use it for 'oops' moments, not 'oh no' disasters.
Cultural Background
Germans are famous for loving their rules and order. This phrase is the essential 'safety valve' for that culture. It shows that even in a land of many rules, people value kindness. It dates back centuries and suggests that seeing everything is a burden. Sometimes, the best way to keep the peace is to simply not look. It is a very 'human' side of the German language.
Common Variations
You might hear Beide Augen zudrücken if the mistake was really big. That means 'shutting both eyes.' It implies you are ignoring a lot more than usual. Sometimes people say Hühnerauge zudrücken as a joke. A Hühnerauge is actually a corn on your foot! This is a silly way to ask for a favor. Stick to the one-eye version for daily life.
نکات کاربردی
The phrase is neutral and very versatile. It fits perfectly in daily conversations and semi-formal work environments, but avoid it in strictly legal or very grave situations.
Use with 'mal'
Adding 'mal' (Ich drücke heute *mal* ein Auge zu) makes the sentence sound much more natural and friendly.
Don't use for crimes
Remember, this is for 'Kavaliersdelikte' (minor offenses). Using it for serious matters sounds wrong.
The 'beide' upgrade
If you want to show you are being *really* nice, say 'Ich drücke beide Augen zu!'
مثالها
6Ich bin zu spät, aber mein Chef hat noch mal ein Auge zugedrückt.
I'm late, but my boss turned a blind eye once again.
Shows the boss was lenient about the time.
Kein Problem, ich drücke diesmal ein Auge zu.
No problem, I'll turn a blind eye this time.
Casual way to say 'don't worry about it'.
Könnten Sie bitte ein Auge zudrücken? Ich muss nur noch eine Seite kopieren.
Could you please turn a blind eye? I just need to copy one more page.
A polite request for a small exception.
Normalerweise gibt es Punktabzug, aber ich drücke ein Auge zu.
Normally there's a point deduction, but I'll overlook it.
Formal but kind authority figure.
Du hast meinen Joghurt gegessen! Na gut, ich drücke ein Auge zu, wenn du neuen kaufst.
You ate my yogurt! Fine, I'll overlook it if you buy new ones.
Playful negotiation.
Heute ist Wochenende, da drücken wir mal ein Auge zu.
It's the weekend, so we'll turn a blind eye for once.
Expressing warmth and flexibility in family rules.
خودت رو بسنج
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'zudrücken'.
Gestern hat {der|m} Polizist ein Auge ______.
In the Perfekt tense, the past participle of 'zudrücken' is 'zugedrückt'.
Which situation is appropriate for 'ein Auge zudrücken'?
Wann kann man ein Auge zudrücken?
The idiom is only for minor mistakes or rule-breaking.
Complete the dialogue.
Schüler: 'Ich habe mein Buch vergessen.' Lehrer: 'Na gut, ich ______ heute mal ein Auge ______.'
The verb is 'zudrücken'. It is separable, so 'drücke' is the main verb and 'zu' goes to the end.
Match the phrase to the meaning.
Was bedeutet 'beide Augen zudrücken'?
'Beide Augen' is an intensified version of the idiom.
🎉 امتیاز: /4
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
بانک تمرین
4 تمرینهاGestern hat {der|m} Polizist ein Auge ______.
In the Perfekt tense, the past participle of 'zudrücken' is 'zugedrückt'.
Wann kann man ein Auge zudrücken?
The idiom is only for minor mistakes or rule-breaking.
Schüler: 'Ich habe mein Buch vergessen.' Lehrer: 'Na gut, ich ______ heute mal ein Auge ______.'
The verb is 'zudrücken'. It is separable, so 'drücke' is the main verb and 'zu' goes to the end.
Was bedeutet 'beide Augen zudrücken'?
'Beide Augen' is an intensified version of the idiom.
🎉 امتیاز: /4
سوالات متداول
10 سوالYes, if you are talking about how you lead a team and show flexibility. 'Ich weiß, wann ich ein Auge zudrücken muss.'
It is always 'ein Auge' because 'Auge' is neuter ({das|n} Auge) and it is in the accusative case.
Not at all! It is actually a very kind and positive thing to say.
'Ein Auge zudrücken' is usually about a specific mistake. 'Fünfe gerade sein lassen' is about not being a perfectionist in general.
Technically yes, but the idiom usually uses the indefinite article 'ein'. 'Mein Auge' sounds like you have a physical problem with your eye.
Yes, 'beide Augen zudrücken' means to be even more lenient.
Usually, someone else drückt an Auge zu for you. You don't usually do it for yourself unless you are being very self-forgiving.
Yes, very often in headlines about politics or sports when a referee or politician is lenient.
The opposite would be 'auf Paragraphen reiten' (to ride on paragraphs/be very strict) or 'kleinlich sein'.
No, it implies you *did* see it but chose to ignore it.
عبارات مرتبط
Fünfe gerade sein lassen
similarTo not be too pedantic about rules.
jemandem etwas durchgehen lassen
synonymTo let someone get away with something.
Nachsicht üben
formalTo exercise leniency.
über etwas hinwegsehen
similarTo overlook something.
