In 15 Seconds
- Used when a plan or action fails with negative consequences.
- Translates literally to 'going into the eye'.
- Perfect for risky situations or unexpected backfires.
Meaning
This phrase describes a situation where a plan or action goes completely wrong. It is used when something you tried to do fails and actually causes a problem for you.
Key Examples
3 of 6Warning a friend about a risky shortcut
Nimm nicht den Waldweg, das kann bei dem Regen ins Auge gehen.
Don't take the forest path; that could backfire in this rain.
Discussing a failed marketing campaign
Die neue Werbung ist leider total ins Auge gegangen.
Unfortunately, the new advertisement totally backfired.
Texting about a cooking disaster
Mein Versuch, Sushi selbst zu machen, ist echt ins Auge gegangen. Pizza ist bestellt!
My attempt to make sushi myself really backfired. Pizza is ordered!
Cultural Background
Germans often use this phrase to express a sense of 'I told you so' regarding safety. It reflects a culture that values insurance and risk mitigation. In Austria, you might also hear 'ins Aug' gehen' (shortened). The meaning remains identical, used frequently in political commentary. Swiss German speakers use the standard German idiom in formal contexts, but in dialect, they might use 'id Hose gah' (in die Hose gehen) more often for casual failures. In business meetings, this is a 'polite' way to say a project is a disaster without using swear words.
Use with 'fast'
Combine it with 'fast' (almost) to describe a lucky escape: 'Das wäre fast ins Auge gegangen!'
Auxiliary Verb
Never use 'haben' with this phrase. It's always 'ist gegangen'.
In 15 Seconds
- Used when a plan or action fails with negative consequences.
- Translates literally to 'going into the eye'.
- Perfect for risky situations or unexpected backfires.
What It Means
Imagine you are trying to do something clever. Suddenly, it fails in a spectacular way. That is ins Auge gehen. It means a plan backfired. It suggests that the outcome was painful or unexpected. It is like trying to throw a ball and hitting yourself in the face.
How To Use It
You usually use this phrase with the verb können or in the past tense. You say Das kann ins Auge gehen when you see a risk. If the disaster already happened, you say Das ist ins Auge gegangen. It is very flexible. You can use it for small mishaps or big business failures. It always carries a sense of 'I told you so' or 'that was risky'.
When To Use It
Use it when a shortcut leads to a longer delay. Use it when a joke makes someone angry instead of laughing. It is perfect for talking about office politics. If a colleague tries to trick the boss and gets caught, use it. It works at home too. Maybe you tried to fix the sink and flooded the kitchen? That definitely went ins Auge.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for natural disasters or true tragedies. It is too light for a death or a major illness. Avoid it in extremely formal legal documents. It is a bit too colorful for a court of law. Also, do not use it if something just didn't happen. It must be a failure that has a negative consequence.
Cultural Background
Germans love efficiency and planning. When a plan fails, it is a big deal. This phrase likely comes from old sports or combat. Think of an arrow or a splinter hitting the eye. The eye is our most sensitive part. Hitting it means a total failure of aim. It reflects the German fear of 'Pfusch' (badly done work).
Common Variations
You might hear das ging nach hinten los. This means 'that went off backwards' like a gun. Both mean the same thing. Ins Auge gehen is slightly more common in daily speech. You can also say das hätte ins Auge gehen können for a near-miss. It is the perfect way to describe a 'close call'.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and safe for most daily interactions. Just remember it requires the preposition 'in' plus the accusative 'das Auge' (shortened to 'ins').
Use with 'fast'
Combine it with 'fast' (almost) to describe a lucky escape: 'Das wäre fast ins Auge gegangen!'
Auxiliary Verb
Never use 'haben' with this phrase. It's always 'ist gegangen'.
Intensify it
Use 'total', 'voll', or 'ordentlich' to sound more like a native: 'Das ist voll ins Auge gegangen.'
Examples
6Nimm nicht den Waldweg, das kann bei dem Regen ins Auge gehen.
Don't take the forest path; that could backfire in this rain.
Using 'kann' to express a potential risk.
Die neue Werbung ist leider total ins Auge gegangen.
Unfortunately, the new advertisement totally backfired.
Professional context describing a business failure.
Mein Versuch, Sushi selbst zu machen, ist echt ins Auge gegangen. Pizza ist bestellt!
My attempt to make sushi myself really backfired. Pizza is ordered!
Casual and self-deprecating humor.
Dein Witz ist bei dem Chef wohl ins Auge gegangen.
Your joke seems to have backfired with the boss.
Observing a social awkwardness.
Das hätte böse ins Auge gehen können!
That could have ended very badly!
Using 'böse' (badly/evilly) to add emphasis to a dangerous situation.
Die Investition ist leider ins Auge gegangen.
The investment unfortunately went south.
Commonly used for financial losses.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Ich habe versucht, das Auto selbst zu reparieren, aber es ist total ___ ___ ___.
The perfect tense requires 'ist' + 'ins Auge gegangen'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Select the correct sentence:
This is the correct use of the subjunctive for a near-miss.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You tried to cook a fancy dinner for your boss, but you burnt everything and the fire alarm went off.
'Ins Auge gegangen' is for failures. 'Ins Auge gefasst' is for planning.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Warum bist du so traurig?' B: 'Mein Plan, im Lotto zu gewinnen, ist leider ___.'
Losing or failing a plan fits 'ins Auge gegangen'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch habe versucht, das Auto selbst zu reparieren, aber es ist total ___ ___ ___.
The perfect tense requires 'ist' + 'ins Auge gegangen'.
Select the correct sentence:
This is the correct use of the subjunctive for a near-miss.
You tried to cook a fancy dinner for your boss, but you burnt everything and the fire alarm went off.
'Ins Auge gegangen' is for failures. 'Ins Auge gefasst' is for planning.
A: 'Warum bist du so traurig?' B: 'Mein Plan, im Lotto zu gewinnen, ist leider ___.'
Losing or failing a plan fits 'ins Auge gegangen'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsNo, you wouldn't say 'Er ist ins Auge gegangen.' You use it for plans, actions, or situations.
Not at all. It's a standard idiom. It's informal but not offensive.
'Schiefgehen' is more general. 'Ins Auge gehen' implies a more painful or serious failure.
Only if you literally mean something flew into your eye. For the idiom, always use 'ins Auge'.
Yes, very often to describe failed projects or risky strategies.
Related Phrases
schiefgehen
synonymto go wrong
nach hinten losgehen
synonymto backfire
ins Auge fassen
contrastto consider/plan
ein Auge zudrücken
similarto turn a blind eye
jemandem ins Auge springen
similarto be obvious
