alles über einen Kamm scheren
To treat all alike
Literally: To shear everything over one comb
In 15 Seconds
- Stop making unfair generalizations about groups of people.
- Don't treat diverse things as if they are identical.
- Call out stereotypes using a classic barber-shop metaphor.
Meaning
This phrase is used when someone makes a sweeping generalization. It describes treating different people or things as if they are exactly the same, usually in an unfair or lazy way.
Key Examples
3 of 6Defending a group of colleagues
Nur weil einer faul ist, darfst du nicht alle Kollegen über einen Kamm scheren.
Just because one is lazy, you shouldn't tar all colleagues with the same brush.
Discussing travel experiences
Man kann die Touristen in dieser Stadt nicht alle über einen Kamm scheren.
You can't treat all tourists in this city the same way.
A serious talk about prejudice
Es ist unfair, ganze Kulturen einfach über einen Kamm zu scheren.
It is unfair to simply treat entire cultures all the same.
Cultural Background
The phrase originates from the medieval barber-surgeon trade where specific combs dictated social status. Using only one comb for everyone was a sign of poor craftsmanship and disrespect for individuality. Today, it remains a staple in German discourse to combat 'Schubladendenken' (pigeonholing).
The Grammar Trick
Remember that `scheren` is the verb here. In a normal sentence, it goes to the end: 'Du scherst alle über einen Kamm.' It sounds very sophisticated!
Don't say 'kämmen'
Even though there is a 'Kamm' (comb), the verb is 'scheren' (to shear). Saying 'über einen Kamm kämmen' is a common mistake for learners but sounds wrong to Germans.
In 15 Seconds
- Stop making unfair generalizations about groups of people.
- Don't treat diverse things as if they are identical.
- Call out stereotypes using a classic barber-shop metaphor.
What It Means
Imagine you are at a barber shop. The barber uses one single comb for every single customer. He gives everyone the exact same haircut regardless of their hair type. That is the heart of alles über einen Kamm scheren. It means you are ignoring individual differences. You are judging a whole group based on one person. It is about being unfair through oversimplification.
How To Use It
You usually use this phrase to call someone out. If a friend says "All politicians are corrupt," you stop them. You say, "You can't alles über einen Kamm scheren." It acts as a verbal yellow card. In German, the verb scheren (to shear) goes at the end. You can also say man sollte nicht... (one should not...). It sounds natural and sharp.
When To Use It
Use it during a heated debate about stereotypes. It works perfectly when discussing work departments or sports fans. Use it when someone complains that "all movies today are bad." It shows you value nuance and detail. It is a great way to defend someone who is being unfairly grouped in.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for physical objects that actually are identical. If you are sorting identical screws, this phrase does not fit. Avoid using it in very high-level legal documents. It is a bit too colorful for a court ruling. Also, do not use it if you actually agree with the generalization. It is a tool for correction, not for agreement.
Cultural Background
This idiom dates back to the Middle Ages. Back then, barbers and surgeons were often the same person. Different professions had specific hair and beard styles. A lazy barber might use one comb to give everyone the same basic cut. This ignored their social status or profession. Over centuries, it moved from the barber chair to our daily language. It reflects the German value of precision and fairness.
Common Variations
You might hear nicht alle über einen Leisten schlagen. This comes from shoemaking (a Leisten is a cobbler's last). It means the exact same thing: don't make every shoe the same size. However, the Kamm (comb) version is much more common today. Stick with the comb for daily conversations. It is the one everyone knows and uses.
Usage Notes
The phrase is very versatile and fits almost any social situation. Just ensure you use the preposition 'über' and the verb 'scheren' to keep the idiom intact.
The Grammar Trick
Remember that `scheren` is the verb here. In a normal sentence, it goes to the end: 'Du scherst alle über einen Kamm.' It sounds very sophisticated!
Don't say 'kämmen'
Even though there is a 'Kamm' (comb), the verb is 'scheren' (to shear). Saying 'über einen Kamm kämmen' is a common mistake for learners but sounds wrong to Germans.
The 'Schublade' Connection
Germans hate 'Schubladendenken' (drawer-thinking/pigeonholing). This idiom is your best weapon against people who put everyone in the same 'drawer'.
Examples
6Nur weil einer faul ist, darfst du nicht alle Kollegen über einen Kamm scheren.
Just because one is lazy, you shouldn't tar all colleagues with the same brush.
Defending a team against a general accusation.
Man kann die Touristen in dieser Stadt nicht alle über einen Kamm scheren.
You can't treat all tourists in this city the same way.
Pointing out that tourists have different behaviors.
Es ist unfair, ganze Kulturen einfach über einen Kamm zu scheren.
It is unfair to simply treat entire cultures all the same.
Addressing deep-seated stereotypes or racism.
Ich weiß, er war schrecklich, aber scher jetzt nicht alle Männer über einen Kamm!
I know he was terrible, but don't go tarring all men with the same brush now!
Playful but firm advice after a friend's bad experience.
Wir sollten diese unterschiedlichen Probleme nicht über einen Kamm scheren.
We should not lump these different problems together.
Demanding a more nuanced policy discussion.
Nur weil ich Pizza mag, heißt das nicht, dass ich jedes italienische Restaurant über einen Kamm schere!
Just because I like pizza doesn't mean I treat every Italian restaurant the same!
Using a serious idiom for a trivial topic like food preferences.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence to tell someone not to generalize.
Du darfst nicht immer alle __ einen Kamm scheren!
The preposition `über` is always used with this idiom, indicating the comb moving 'over' the hair.
Choose the correct verb to complete the idiom.
Man sollte nicht alles über einen Kamm ___.
`Scheren` means to shear or clip, which is the traditional verb for this expression.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'über einen Kamm scheren'
Used with friends to stop drama.
Scher nicht alle über einen Kamm!
Common in news and discussions.
Man darf das nicht über einen Kamm scheren.
Used in debates or essays.
Es wäre verfehlt, diese Gruppen über einen Kamm zu scheren.
Where to use the 'Comb' Idiom
Office Gossip
Defending the IT department.
Dating Advice
Not all exes are the same.
Politics
Nuanced policy talk.
Travel
Judging a whole country.
Practice Bank
2 exercisesDu darfst nicht immer alle __ einen Kamm scheren!
The preposition `über` is always used with this idiom, indicating the comb moving 'over' the hair.
Man sollte nicht alles über einen Kamm ___.
`Scheren` means to shear or clip, which is the traditional verb for this expression.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt literally means 'to shear everything over one comb.' It comes from old barbering practices where one tool was used for everyone regardless of their needs.
Not at all! It is a neutral-to-friendly way to point out a logical flaw. You can use it in a meeting like Wir sollten diese Kunden nicht alle über einen Kamm scheren.
Usually, it has a negative connotation because generalizing is seen as a lack of effort. Even if the generalization is 'all Germans are punctual,' you would still use this phrase to say that's not true for everyone.
Most Germans start with Man darf nicht... (One must not...) or Man sollte nicht... (One should not...). For example: Man darf nicht alle Jugendlichen über einen Kamm scheren.
No, you usually have to say the whole phrase. Cutting it short like 'über einen Kamm' doesn't really work in German.
It's mostly used for people and their behaviors, but it can apply to abstract concepts like 'problems' or 'cities' as well.
In this context, it is a weak verb: ich schere, du scherst, er schert. The past tense is scherte, but you'll mostly use it in the present or with modal verbs.
No, it is a standard idiom. You will hear it on the news, read it in newspapers, and hear it in the supermarket.
They are almost identical in meaning. The German version just uses a comb and shearing instead of a brush and tar.
Yes! If a friend is complaining about 'all teachers,' you can text back: Scher nicht alle über einen Kamm! 😉
Related Phrases
In Schubladen denken
To think in pigeonholes/stereotypes
Nicht alle über einen Leisten schlagen
To not treat everyone the same (shoemaker version)
Pauschalisieren
To generalize (the formal verb)
Vorurteile haben
To have prejudices
