Meaning
To deliberately ignore a minor offense or mistake, not enforcing rules strictly.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'Kulanz' is very important in German business. It refers to a company doing something for a customer that they aren't legally required to do, effectively 'closing an eye' to the strict contract. In Switzerland, rules are often followed very strictly. Using this phrase might be seen as a significant gesture of personal trust or friendship. Austrian culture is sometimes described as 'gemütlicher' (more relaxed) than German culture. The phrase is used frequently to navigate the bureaucracy with a wink. In modern startups in Berlin, 'ein Auge zudrücken' is part of a 'Fehlerkultur' (error culture) where small mistakes are seen as learning opportunities rather than reasons for punishment.
Use it to be polite
If you are the one in charge, using this phrase makes you sound very kind and approachable.
Don't use for crimes
If you use this for a serious crime, people will think you are being sarcastic or that you don't care about justice.
Meaning
To deliberately ignore a minor offense or mistake, not enforcing rules strictly.
Use it to be polite
If you are the one in charge, using this phrase makes you sound very kind and approachable.
Don't use for crimes
If you use this for a serious crime, people will think you are being sarcastic or that you don't care about justice.
The 'Beide' upgrade
If someone makes a really big mistake but you still want to be nice, say 'Ich drücke beide Augen zu.' It shows you are being extra generous.
The 'Kulanz' connection
In German shops, if you want a refund but lost the receipt, ask: 'Können Sie aus Kulanz ein Auge zudrücken?'
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'zudrücken'.
Mein Lehrer ist sehr nett. Er _______ bei kleinen Fehlern immer ein Auge _______.
The idiom is 'ein Auge zudrücken'. Since it's a separable verb, 'drückt' stays in the second position and 'zu' goes to the end.
In which situation is it appropriate to use this idiom?
Wann kann man ein Auge zudrücken?
The idiom is for minor, harmless mistakes, not for crimes or emergencies.
Match the German phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are all variations of leniency with slightly different intensities.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Oh nein, ich habe mein Ticket verloren!' B: 'Keine Sorge, ich bin der Kontrolleur und ich _______.'
This is the standard way to express that you will ignore the missing ticket.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMein Lehrer ist sehr nett. Er _______ bei kleinen Fehlern immer ein Auge _______.
The idiom is 'ein Auge zudrücken'. Since it's a separable verb, 'drückt' stays in the second position and 'zu' goes to the end.
Wann kann man ein Auge zudrücken?
The idiom is for minor, harmless mistakes, not for crimes or emergencies.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are all variations of leniency with slightly different intensities.
A: 'Oh nein, ich habe mein Ticket verloren!' B: 'Keine Sorge, ich bin der Kontrolleur und ich _______.'
This is the standard way to express that you will ignore the missing ticket.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsUsually, it's used about someone else (the person in authority). You wouldn't say 'I closed an eye to my own mistake' unless you are being funny.
It's neutral. You can use it with friends, but also with a boss or a customer.
The idiom uses the singular 'ein Auge'. If you use the plural 'Augen', you must say 'beide Augen'.
Yes, usually a person or an institution (like 'die Stadt' or 'die Firma') is the one closing the eye.
No, it means you *did* see it, but you *chose* to ignore it.
Related Phrases
Beide Augen zudrücken
similarTo ignore something even more significant.
Fünfe gerade sein lassen
synonymTo not be too pedantic about rules.
Wegsehen
similarTo look away.
Nachsicht üben
formal equivalentTo exercise leniency.
Jemandem etwas durchgehen lassen
synonymTo let someone get away with something.
