Signification
To start a big discussion or make a fuss.
Contexte culturel
In traditional German 'Kneipen', tapping a new barrel was a moment of celebration. The shift to a negative meaning (starting a fuss) shows how social gatherings can quickly turn from fun to loud arguments. Germans value efficiency. 'Ein Fass aufmachen' is often used as a criticism of people who 'waste time' with emotional or unnecessary debates during work hours.
Don't use with Bosses
Telling a superior 'Machen Sie kein Fass auf' is considered very disrespectful.
Use 'Riesenfass'
To sound more native, use 'ein Riesenfass aufmachen' when the drama is truly excessive.
Signification
To start a big discussion or make a fuss.
Don't use with Bosses
Telling a superior 'Machen Sie kein Fass auf' is considered very disrespectful.
Use 'Riesenfass'
To sound more native, use 'ein Riesenfass aufmachen' when the drama is truly excessive.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing part of the separable verb.
Er macht wegen der Verspätung ein Fass ______.
The idiom is 'ein Fass aufmachen'.
Which sentence is the correct figurative use?
Someone is complaining too much about a small error. What do you say?
This is the standard way to tell someone to stop making a scene.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Ich werde mich beim Chef über das kalte Wasser beschweren!' B: 'Ach komm, ______.'
B is trying to calm A down.
Match the phrase to the situation.
In which situation would you say 'Er hat ein Fass aufgemacht'?
The idiom refers to making an unnecessary fuss.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesEr macht wegen der Verspätung ein Fass ______.
The idiom is 'ein Fass aufmachen'.
Someone is complaining too much about a small error. What do you say?
This is the standard way to tell someone to stop making a scene.
A: 'Ich werde mich beim Chef über das kalte Wasser beschweren!' B: 'Ach komm, ______.'
B is trying to calm A down.
In which situation would you say 'Er hat ein Fass aufgemacht'?
The idiom refers to making an unnecessary fuss.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
3 questionsIt can be. It implies the other person is overreacting. Use it with people you know well.
No, it is almost always used for negative situations like arguments or complaints.
You rarely use the plural, but it would be 'Fässer aufmachen'. Usually, people just open one 'Fass' at a time.
Expressions liées
Viel Lärm um nichts
synonymMuch ado about nothing.
Aus einer Mücke einen Elefanten machen
similarTo make a mountain out of a molehill.
Den Ball flach halten
contrastTo keep a low profile / not overreact.
