den Vogel abschießen
To take the cake
शाब्दिक अर्थ: den (the) Vogel (bird) abschießen (to shoot down)
Use it to highlight an extreme action that stands out as the best or worst of the day.
15 सेकंड में
- Used when someone tops a situation, positively or negatively.
- Comes from traditional German marksmen festivals and wooden bird targets.
- Equivalent to the English 'to take the cake' or 'top it off'.
मतलब
This phrase is used when someone does something that tops everything else. It can mean someone performed amazingly well, or it can be used sarcastically to describe someone who did something incredibly stupid or outrageous.
मुख्य उदाहरण
3 / 6Praising a friend's performance
Deine Rede auf der Hochzeit hat echt den Vogel abgeschossen!
Your speech at the wedding really took the cake!
Reacting to a ridiculous mistake
Er hat den Termin vergessen? Damit hat er den Vogel abgeschossen.
He forgot the appointment? That really tops it all.
Professional but relaxed feedback
Dieses Design schießt den Vogel ab, es ist fantastisch!
This design takes the prize, it is fantastic!
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
The phrase originates from traditional German 'Schützenfeste' (marksmen's fairs), where participants shoot at a wooden bird. The winner who knocks off the final piece is crowned the 'Marksman King'. Today, it reflects the German love for community festivals and historical traditions.
The Sarcasm Detector
Pay attention to the tone! If someone says it with a sigh, they are annoyed. If they say it with a smile, they are impressed.
The Marksman King
In Germany, being the 'Schützenkönig' is a real honor in many towns. This phrase connects you directly to that deep-rooted tradition.
15 सेकंड में
- Used when someone tops a situation, positively or negatively.
- Comes from traditional German marksmen festivals and wooden bird targets.
- Equivalent to the English 'to take the cake' or 'top it off'.
What It Means
Imagine a competition where everyone is trying their best. Then, someone comes along and does something so extreme that the contest is over. That person has 'shot the bird'. In German, den Vogel abschießen means to take the prize or to be the ultimate example of something. It is the peak of a situation. Sometimes it is for a great achievement. Other times, it is for a total disaster. It is all about being the 'winner' of the moment, for better or worse.
How To Use It
You use this phrase as a verb phrase in your sentence. The word Vogel is the object, and abschießen is the action. In a normal sentence, you might say: 'Damit hast du den Vogel abgeschossen!' This means 'With that, you really took the cake!' You can use it to praise a friend's incredible outfit. You can also use it when your coworker accidentally deletes the entire company database. It is a very flexible tool for your German kit.
When To Use It
Use it when you are genuinely impressed by something. If your friend cooks a five-course meal, they shot the bird. Use it when you are frustrated by someone's incompetence. If a waiter forgets your order three times, they also shot the bird. It works great in casual conversations. Use it during a football match or while gossiping at a cafe. It adds a bit of flavor and drama to your speech.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this phrase in very serious or tragic situations. If someone makes a grave mistake with real consequences, sarcasm might feel cruel. Do not use it in a formal legal document or a high-stakes business contract. It is a bit too colorful for a funeral or a doctor's office. Also, be careful with the sarcasm if you don't know the person well. You might accidentally offend someone who thought they were doing a good job!
Cultural Background
This idiom comes from old marksmen festivals called 'Schützenfeste'. These are still popular in many German villages today. In the past, people would aim at a wooden bird on a high pole. The person who knocked down the last piece was the 'Schützenkönig' (Marksman King). They won the top prize and much glory. Over time, the phrase moved from the shooting range into everyday life. It captures that feeling of hitting the final, decisive target.
Common Variations
You will mostly hear it exactly as den Vogel abschießen. Sometimes people just say 'Das schießt den Vogel ab!' to react to a story. You might also hear den Rahmen sprengen if something is too much, but it doesn't have the same 'winner' energy. Another close one is einen draufsetzen, which means to go one step further. But nothing beats the imagery of the wooden bird falling from the pole.
इस्तेमाल की जानकारी
The phrase is primarily informal and relies heavily on context. It is a 'separable verb' construction, so the 'ab' moves to the end in simple present tense sentences.
The Sarcasm Detector
Pay attention to the tone! If someone says it with a sigh, they are annoyed. If they say it with a smile, they are impressed.
The Marksman King
In Germany, being the 'Schützenkönig' is a real honor in many towns. This phrase connects you directly to that deep-rooted tradition.
Don't be too literal
Never use this if you are actually talking about hunting or hurting animals. It is strictly for metaphorical 'birds'!
उदाहरण
6Deine Rede auf der Hochzeit hat echt den Vogel abgeschossen!
Your speech at the wedding really took the cake!
Used here as a sincere compliment for being the highlight.
Er hat den Termin vergessen? Damit hat er den Vogel abgeschossen.
He forgot the appointment? That really tops it all.
Sarcastic use to express annoyance at someone's forgetfulness.
Dieses Design schießt den Vogel ab, es ist fantastisch!
This design takes the prize, it is fantastic!
Using the phrase to show high enthusiasm in a creative meeting.
Die Deko gestern hat echt den Vogel abgeschossen. So viel Glitzer!
The decor yesterday really took the cake. So much glitter!
Casual observation about something being 'over the top'.
Zuerst der Regen und jetzt ein platter Reifen? Das schießt den Vogel ab.
First the rain and now a flat tire? That really crowns it all.
Used to describe a series of unfortunate events reaching a peak.
Dein Kostüm schießt heute wirklich den Vogel ab!
Your costume really takes the cake today!
Lighthearted and playful comment among friends.
खुद को परखो
Choose the correct verb to complete the idiom.
Mit dieser tollen Idee hast du wirklich den Vogel ___.
The full idiom is 'den Vogel abschießen'. 'Gefangen' (caught) or 'gesehen' (seen) do not work here.
Which word is missing in this common reaction?
Das schießt den ___ ab!
The 'bird' (Vogel) is the traditional target in this expression.
🎉 स्कोर: /2
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
Formality Spectrum of 'den Vogel abschießen'
Slangy use with close friends.
Alter, du hast den Vogel abgeschossen!
Common everyday conversation.
Das schießt echt den Vogel ab.
Rarely used, might sound too colorful.
Ihre Leistung hat den Vogel abgeschossen.
Not recommended for official documents.
N/A
Where to Shoot the Bird
At a Party
Commenting on a wild dance move.
Office Sarcasm
Reacting to a silly printer error.
Sports
Praising a winning goal.
Bad Luck
When everything goes wrong at once.
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालNo, it is very often used sarcastically. For example, Das schießt den Vogel ab can mean 'That's the stupidest thing I've heard today'.
Yes, but it remains a colloquial expression. You could say Damit haben Sie den Vogel abgeschossen, but only in a relaxed professional setting.
No, the phrase always uses the singular den Vogel. You don't shoot 'birds' in this idiom.
The closest matches are 'to take the cake', 'to top it all off', or 'to outdo oneself'.
Probably not. It is a bit too informal and could be misunderstood as being too casual or sarcastic.
Sort of! It comes from 'Vogelschießen', a traditional competition where people shoot at a wooden bird, not a real one.
It is a separable verb. In the present tense, it is: Er schießt den Vogel ab. In the past: Er hat den Vogel abgeschossen.
It’s a bit weird. It’s better for actions or events caused by people or specific situations, rather than nature.
People will understand you, but it sounds like 'Caveman German'. Always include the 'den' for the full effect.
No, it is understood and used all over Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
संबंधित मुहावरे
einen draufsetzen (to go one better)
den Rahmen sprengen (to go beyond the scope)
das i-Tüpfelchen sein (to be the icing on the cake)
alle Rekorde brechen (to break all records)
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