Den Bogen überspannen
Example: Man sollte den Bogen nicht überspannen, um Konflikte zu vermeiden.
Definition
"Den Bogen überspannen" is a German expression meaning to overextend or exaggerate something, often resulting in negative consequences. It suggests going beyond reasonable limits or stretching a metaphorical bow too far, as in the example: 'Man sollte den Bogen nicht überspannen, um Konflikte zu vermeiden.'
Etymology
The phrase "den Bogen überspannen" literally translates to 'overstretch the bow.' It originates from archery, where stretching a bow too much risks breaking it. Over time, this literal meaning evolved into a figurative expression warning against exceeding limits or going too far in actions or claims.
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"Den Bogen überspannen" appears in the Vocaplus list "", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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