In 15 Seconds
- Used when someone wants to quit due to frustration or discouragement.
- Equivalent to the English expression 'to throw in the towel'.
- Originated from soldiers discarding weapons in fields to flee battle.
Meaning
This phrase is used when someone gives up too quickly because they feel discouraged. It is like saying 'throwing in the towel' when things get a bit tough.
Key Examples
3 of 6Encouraging a friend learning a language
Deutsch ist schwer, aber du darfst jetzt nicht die Flinte ins Korn werfen!
German is hard, but you mustn't give up now!
Talking about a coworker who quit a project
Nach dem ersten Fehler hat er sofort die Flinte ins Korn geworfen.
After the first mistake, he immediately threw in the towel.
Texting a friend about a difficult video game level
Ich werfe gleich die Flinte ins Korn, dieses Level ist unmöglich!
I'm about to give up, this level is impossible!
Cultural Background
The phrase is deeply linked to the German concept of 'Durchhaltevermögen' (stamina/perseverance). In a culture that values engineering and precision, giving up is often seen as a lack of discipline. In Austria, the phrase is just as common, but sometimes the tone is slightly more fatalistic or humorous, reflecting the 'Wiener Schmäh' (Viennese irony). Swiss German speakers use the High German version in formal writing, but in dialect (Schwiizerdütsch), they might use different imagery, though the meaning remains understood. The phrase reminds Germans of their long history of land battles. The 'Flinte' was the standard infantry weapon for centuries, making it a powerful symbol of one's ability to participate in society/conflict.
Use it for encouragement
90% of the time, you will use this in the negative ('Wirf nicht...') to help someone keep going.
Don't change the nouns
You cannot say 'die Pistole ins Korn werfen'. Idioms are fixed; changing the words makes them lose their meaning.
In 15 Seconds
- Used when someone wants to quit due to frustration or discouragement.
- Equivalent to the English expression 'to throw in the towel'.
- Originated from soldiers discarding weapons in fields to flee battle.
What It Means
Imagine a soldier or hunter who gets frustrated. Instead of keeping their weapon, they toss it into a field of tall corn or wheat. They are done. They are quitting. When you use die Flinte ins Korn werfen, you are describing that exact moment of surrender. It is not just about stopping. It is about losing hope or patience.
How To Use It
You use this phrase with the verb werfen (to throw). It works just like a normal sentence. You can say someone is doing it now or tell them not to do it. For example: Wirf nicht die Flinte ins Korn! This means 'Don't give up yet!' It is a very visual way to talk about perseverance. You can use it for big life goals or small daily frustrations.
When To Use It
Use it when a friend wants to quit their German course after one hard grammar lesson. Use it at work when a project seems impossible. It fits perfectly in any situation where someone feels defeated. It is great for giving a pep talk. You can use it in person, over text, or in an email to a close colleague. It shows you understand their struggle but want them to keep going.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for serious tragedies. If someone is grieving, this phrase is too light and idiomatic. Also, avoid it in very high-level legal or medical documents. It is a bit too colorful for a formal contract. If someone is quitting a job for a better one, do not use it. It implies giving up out of frustration, not moving on to something better. It is about the 'quit' rather than the 'exit'.
Cultural Background
This idiom dates back to the 16th century. Back then, soldiers used muskets or 'Flinten'. If a soldier threw his gun into a grain field, he was deserting. He wanted to hide his weapon so he wouldn't be caught. Over time, it lost the 'cowardly' soldier meaning. Now, it is just a common way to talk about losing heart. It is a staple of German conversation and literature.
Common Variations
You might hear people say den Kopf in den Sand stecken (to stick one's head in the sand). That is different! That means ignoring a problem. Die Flinte ins Korn werfen means you acknowledge the problem but stop fighting it. Another variation is aufgeben, which is the plain, boring way to say 'to quit'. Stick with the shotgun and the grain to sound more like a local!
Usage Notes
The phrase is very versatile and fits in almost any context except the most formal legal documents. It is particularly common in sports commentary and motivational contexts.
Use it for encouragement
90% of the time, you will use this in the negative ('Wirf nicht...') to help someone keep going.
Don't change the nouns
You cannot say 'die Pistole ins Korn werfen'. Idioms are fixed; changing the words makes them lose their meaning.
Master the verb 'werfen'
Since 'werfen' is irregular, practicing 'er wirft' and 'er warf' will make you sound much more fluent.
Examples
6Deutsch ist schwer, aber du darfst jetzt nicht die Flinte ins Korn werfen!
German is hard, but you mustn't give up now!
A classic use for encouraging someone during a long-term challenge.
Nach dem ersten Fehler hat er sofort die Flinte ins Korn geworfen.
After the first mistake, he immediately threw in the towel.
Used here to describe someone quitting too easily.
Ich werfe gleich die Flinte ins Korn, dieses Level ist unmöglich!
I'm about to give up, this level is impossible!
Casual and slightly hyperbolic for a low-stakes situation.
Wir liegen zurück, aber wir werfen die Flinte nicht ins Korn!
We are behind, but we aren't giving up!
Motivational use in a competitive setting.
Drei Stunden ohne Schokolade und ich habe die Flinte ins Korn geworfen.
Three hours without chocolate and I've already given up.
Using a dramatic idiom for a trivial struggle creates humor.
Es sieht schlecht aus, aber wir sollten die Flinte noch nicht ins Korn werfen.
It looks bad, but we shouldn't give up just yet.
Maintains a professional yet idiomatic tone.
Test Yourself
Fülle die Lücken mit den richtigen Wörtern aus der Redewendung.
Wenn es schwierig wird, darfst du nicht gleich die ______ ins ______ werfen.
Die korrekten Substantive sind '{die|f} Flinte' und '{das|n} Korn'.
Welche Form von 'werfen' ist hier richtig?
Gestern hat er frustriert die Flinte ins Korn ______.
Das Partizip Perfekt von 'werfen' ist unregelmäßig: 'geworfen'.
In welcher Situation passt die Redewendung?
Szenario: Maria lernt seit 2 Stunden Gitarre. Sie findet es zu schwer und will die Gitarre verkaufen.
Maria gibt eine schwierige Aufgabe zu schnell auf.
Vervollständige den Dialog.
A: 'Ich schaffe diese Hausaufgabe nie!' B: 'Ach was, ______!'
B möchte A ermutigen, also muss der Satz negativ sein ('nicht').
Verbinde die Teile der Redewendung.
Teile: 1. die Flinte, 2. ins, 3. werfen
Dies ist die Standardreihenfolge der Phrase.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
5 exercisesWenn es schwierig wird, darfst du nicht gleich die ______ ins ______ werfen.
Die korrekten Substantive sind '{die|f} Flinte' und '{das|n} Korn'.
Gestern hat er frustriert die Flinte ins Korn ______.
Das Partizip Perfekt von 'werfen' ist unregelmäßig: 'geworfen'.
Szenario: Maria lernt seit 2 Stunden Gitarre. Sie findet es zu schwer und will die Gitarre verkaufen.
Maria gibt eine schwierige Aufgabe zu schnell auf.
A: 'Ich schaffe diese Hausaufgabe nie!' B: 'Ach was, ______!'
B möchte A ermutigen, also muss der Satz negativ sein ('nicht').
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Dies ist die Standardreihenfolge der Phrase.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsNot at all! While the imagery of flintlocks is old, the phrase is used daily in modern German news, sports, and conversation.
Yes, if you are encouraging a team or a colleague you have a good relationship with. It's neutral-informal.
They are almost identical. 'Das Handtuch werfen' is slightly more common in sports, while 'die Flinte ins Korn werfen' is more common in general life challenges.
No, in this context, 'Korn' refers to a field of cereal grain like wheat or rye.
It depends on the tone. If said encouragingly, it's kind. If said as a criticism ('Du wirfst immer gleich die Flinte ins Korn'), it can be a bit harsh.
Related Phrases
das Handtuch werfen
synonymTo throw in the towel.
aufgeben
synonymTo give up.
den Kopf in den Sand stecken
similarTo stick one's head in the sand.
durchhalten
contrastTo persevere / hold on.
Lunte riechen
builds onTo smell a rat / sense danger.
