jemandem Steine in den Weg legen
To obstruct someone
Littéralement: to lay stones in the way for someone
Use this to describe someone intentionally making your task harder through obstacles or sabotage.
En 15 secondes
- To intentionally create obstacles or difficulties for another person.
- Commonly used when complaining about bureaucracy or difficult bosses.
- Requires a human or institutional 'saboteur' to make sense.
Signification
Imagine you're trying to run a race, but someone keeps tossing heavy rocks onto the track in front of you. This phrase describes when someone intentionally makes a task difficult or creates obstacles to stop your progress.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Complaining about a difficult boss
Mein Chef legt mir ständig Steine in den Weg, wenn ich befördert werden will.
My boss is constantly putting obstacles in my way when I want to get promoted.
Dealing with annoying paperwork
Die Versicherung legt uns nur Steine in den Weg.
The insurance company is just making things difficult for us.
Texting a friend about an ex
Warum muss er mir immer wieder Steine in den Weg legen?
Why does he always have to make things hard for me?
Contexte culturel
The phrase evokes the historical importance of clear paths for travel and trade in Central Europe. It has been a staple of the German language for centuries, appearing in literature to describe both physical and metaphorical sabotage. Today, it is most frequently used to criticize 'Amtsschimmel' (red tape) or workplace rivalry.
The Positive Flip
If you want to thank someone for helping you, say they 'Steine aus dem Weg geräumt' (cleared stones out of the way).
Don't trip on the Case
Remember to use the dative case for the person! It's always 'jemandem' (to someone), never 'jemanden'.
En 15 secondes
- To intentionally create obstacles or difficulties for another person.
- Commonly used when complaining about bureaucracy or difficult bosses.
- Requires a human or institutional 'saboteur' to make sense.
What It Means
Think of a clear path toward a goal. Now, imagine someone dropping heavy boulders right in your tracks. That is exactly what jemandem Steine in den Weg legen feels like. It describes the act of obstructing or sabotaging someone. It is not about accidental hurdles. This phrase implies a deliberate choice by someone else to make your life harder.
How To Use It
The grammar is quite flexible. You use the dative case for the person being blocked. For example, Er legt mir Steine in den Weg. You can use it in the past tense too. Did your boss deny your vacation? Er hat mir Steine in den Weg gelegt. It works perfectly for both small annoyances and major life hurdles.
When To Use It
Use this when you feel frustrated by bureaucracy. It is great for venting about a difficult colleague. You can use it when discussing politics or sports. If a competitor is playing dirty, they are definitely laying stones. It is a vivid way to express that your path is being unfairly blocked. Use it when you want to sound expressive and a bit dramatic.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for natural disasters or bad luck. If it rains on your wedding, nature didn't 'lay stones' in your way. It requires a human element or an institution. Also, avoid it for very minor, accidental things. If a friend accidentally forgets to call you, it is too heavy a phrase. It implies a level of intent or systemic difficulty.
Cultural Background
Germans value efficiency and clear processes. When someone disrupts that flow, it is seen as a significant character flaw. The imagery of 'stones' is ancient. It likely stems from old trade routes. A blocked road meant lost time and money. Today, it is the ultimate complaint against 'Bürokratie' (bureaucracy). It reflects the German desire for a 'reibungslos' (frictionless) experience.
Common Variations
You might hear the opposite: Steine aus dem Weg räumen. This means to clear obstacles and help someone out. It is the 'hero' version of the phrase. Another variation is jemandem Knüppel zwischen die Beine werfen. That means 'to throw a stick between someone's legs.' It is a bit more aggressive. Stick with the stones for a classic, clear image.
Notes d'usage
This phrase is neutral and safe for almost any situation. Just remember that it carries a tone of complaint or accusation, so use it carefully in polite company.
The Positive Flip
If you want to thank someone for helping you, say they 'Steine aus dem Weg geräumt' (cleared stones out of the way).
Don't trip on the Case
Remember to use the dative case for the person! It's always 'jemandem' (to someone), never 'jemanden'.
The 'Amt' Factor
Germans almost exclusively use this phrase when talking about the 'Bürgeramt' (local office). It's the national sport of complaining about paperwork!
Exemples
6Mein Chef legt mir ständig Steine in den Weg, wenn ich befördert werden will.
My boss is constantly putting obstacles in my way when I want to get promoted.
Perfect for expressing workplace frustration.
Die Versicherung legt uns nur Steine in den Weg.
The insurance company is just making things difficult for us.
Commonly used for institutional hurdles.
Warum muss er mir immer wieder Steine in den Weg legen?
Why does he always have to make things hard for me?
Used here for personal drama and sabotage.
Meine Katze legt mir buchstäblich Steine in den Weg – oder zumindest Spielzeug.
My cat is literally putting stones in my way – or at least toys.
A play on the literal meaning.
Die Konkurrenz versucht, uns Steine in den Weg zu legen.
The competition is trying to obstruct us.
Fits well in competitive or sporting contexts.
Trotz aller Steine, die man mir in den Weg gelegt hat, habe ich es geschafft.
Despite all the obstacles put in my way, I made it.
Shows resilience against opposition.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence to say 'Don't make it hard for me!'
Bitte leg ___ keine Steine in den Weg!
The phrase uses the dative case for the person affected. 'Mir' is the dative form of 'ich'.
Which verb completes the idiom?
Man sollte anderen keine Steine in den Weg ___.
The standard idiom always uses 'legen' (to lay/place).
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'Steine in den Weg legen'
Venting to friends about a partner or parent.
Mama legt mir Steine in den Weg.
The 'sweet spot' for this phrase; used in most daily talk.
Das Amt legt uns Steine in den Weg.
Used in professional emails or news reports.
Die Bürokratie legt der Innovation Steine in den Weg.
When to use the phrase
Workplace Sabotage
A colleague 'forgets' to invite you to a meeting.
Bureaucracy
Missing one form stops your whole application.
Relationships
An ex-partner makes a divorce difficult.
Sports
A rival team blocks your training facility.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it is almost always metaphorical. It refers to creating difficulties like bürokratische Hürden (bureaucratic hurdles).
Not really. It implies a person or organization is doing it. If your PC crashes, it's just Pech (bad luck).
It can be quite confrontational. Saying Du legst mir Steine in den Weg is a direct accusation of sabotage.
Behindern is a plain verb for 'to hinder.' The 'stones' idiom is much more descriptive and common in spoken German.
Not really, but you can just say Steine in den Weg legen and people will understand the context immediately.
Only if you use the variation Steine aus dem Weg räumen, which means to help someone by removing obstacles.
Not at all! It is very current and used daily in offices and homes across Germany.
You would say: Er hat mir Steine in den Weg gelegt.
No, the idiom always uses the plural Steine. One stone isn't enough to block a whole path!
Yes, it's very common in professional settings to describe market barriers or internal resistance.
Expressions liées
Steine aus dem Weg räumen
To remove obstacles/help someone out
Jemandem Knüppel zwischen die Beine werfen
To sabotage someone (more aggressive)
Gegen eine Wand laufen
To hit a brick wall / make no progress
Den Weg ebnen
To pave the way for someone
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