Signification
To treat a serious matter casually or with insufficient care.
Contexte culturel
In German offices, being accused of taking something 'auf die leichte Schulter' is a serious critique of your work ethic. The phrase is equally common in Switzerland and Austria, following the same grammatical rules.
The 'Nicht' Rule
90% of the time, this phrase is used with 'nicht' (don't) as a warning.
Gender Check
Remember it is '{die|f} Schulter'. If you use the wrong article, the idiom sounds broken.
Signification
To treat a serious matter casually or with insufficient care.
The 'Nicht' Rule
90% of the time, this phrase is used with 'nicht' (don't) as a warning.
Gender Check
Remember it is '{die|f} Schulter'. If you use the wrong article, the idiom sounds broken.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word.
Nimm das Problem nicht auf die leichte _______!
The idiom specifically uses 'Schulter' (shoulder).
What does this phrase mean?
Er nimmt die Schule auf die leichte Schulter.
It means he is underestimating the importance of school.
In which situation is this phrase appropriate?
Your friend has a broken leg but wants to go jogging.
You are warning them not to underestimate the injury.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Die Prüfung ist morgen, aber ich habe nicht gelernt.' B: 'Was?! Du darfst das nicht _______!'
'Auf die Schulter klopfen' means to praise someone, which doesn't fit here.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesNimm das Problem nicht auf die leichte _______!
The idiom specifically uses 'Schulter' (shoulder).
Er nimmt die Schule auf die leichte Schulter.
It means he is underestimating the importance of school.
Your friend has a broken leg but wants to go jogging.
You are warning them not to underestimate the injury.
A: 'Die Prüfung ist morgen, aber ich habe nicht gelernt.' B: 'Was?! Du darfst das nicht _______!'
'Auf die Schulter klopfen' means to praise someone, which doesn't fit here.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
3 questionsNo, you take 'matters' or 'tasks' on the light shoulder, not people. For people, use 'jemanden unterschätzen'.
Yes! You can say: 'Ich nehme meine Verantwortung nie auf die leichte Schulter.' It sounds very professional.
No, the idiom is fixed in the singular: 'auf die leichte Schulter'.
Expressions liées
etwas unterschätzen
synonymTo underestimate something.
jemandem auf die Schulter klopfen
similarTo pat someone on the back.
etwas ernst nehmen
contrastTo take something seriously.
