Example: Nach dem Streit kam er mit einem blauen Auge davon.
Definition
"Mit einem blauen Auge davonkommen" is a German idiom meaning to escape a difficult or dangerous situation with only minor harm or consequences. It implies that although there was some trouble, the overall damage was minimal, as in the example: 'Nach dem Streit kam er mit einem blauen Auge davon.'
Translations
get away lightly
salir bien parado
er goed vanaf komen
sortir-se'n bé
s'en tirer à bon compte
Etymology
The phrase "mit einem blauen Auge davonkommen" literally translates to 'to get away with a black eye.' It originates from the idea of physically suffering a visible injury (a black eye) but escaping worse harm. Over time, it evolved into a metaphor for surviving a problematic event with only slight negative effects.
Learn to use this expression actively
"Mit einem blauen Auge davonkommen" appears in the Vocaplus list "", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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get away lightly