German idioms about the body and sleep

Each German idiom below comes with what its words literally say, what it means and how other languages put the same idea. To see every language at once, open the side-by-side page for the body and sleep.

  1. Schlafen wie ein Murmeltier

    lit. ‘sleep like a marmot’

    To sleep very deeply and soundly, without waking up.

  2. Eine Nacht darüber schlafen

    lit. ‘sleep a night over it’

    To wait until the next day before making a decision.

  3. Morgenstund hat Gold im Mund

    lit. ‘the morning hour has gold in its mouth’

    People who get up or get started early are the ones who get the best chances.

  4. Einen Frosch im Hals haben

    lit. ‘a frog in your throat’

    Your voice has gone rough or croaky for a moment, so it's hard to speak clearly.

  5. Aus den Latschen kippen

    lit. ‘tip out of your slippers’

    To faint or pass out.

  6. Einen Kater haben

    lit. ‘have a tomcat’

    To feel ill the morning after drinking too much alcohol.

  7. Den Löffel abgeben

    lit. ‘hand in the spoon’

    To die (said in a casual, joking way).

Phrases in bold with a red marker are written up. The rest are waiting for their own page and a check by a native speaker.