GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW) | ||||||
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00:00 Sep 2, 2001 |
German to English translations [Non-PRO] Idioms / Maxims / Sayings | ||||
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| Selected response from: Roland Grefer Local time: 08:59 | |||
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Summary of answers provided | ||||
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na +1 | he's off |
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na | he clears the field |
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na | he leaves |
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he's off Explanation: "er macht sich vom Acker" is slang for someone who's getting on his way |
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he clears the field Explanation: The "acker" in this context is some area of activity, for example, two men in a bar trying to chat up the same woman, one surrenders and "clears the field". |
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he leaves Explanation: More literally "he clears the field", which actually comes pretty close to the origin of this phrase. Originally used in competitive context, one of the contenders was leaving the acre (the land) on which the competition took place, thus clearing the area off his presence, so that the winner may enjoy the celebration. |
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