German phrases with a military background
Quite a few common German sayings actually have military origins. How flag poles, medieval shields and castle sieges coined what are very common German expressions today.
Don't give up
"Die Flinte ins Korn werfen" (literally, throw the shotgun in the field of grain): the German idiom means someone gives up too easily, stops trying. Mercenaries didn't always wear uniforms, they were recognizable by their weapons. If they tossed those, they were no longer recognizable as fighters. The German word for shotgun only entered the language after the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648).
Shields with a message
Literally, to have something on your shield, "etwas im Schild führen" does not bode well. It means a person is up to something, is scheming. Foot soldiers would carry shields, often made of wood or animals hides, to fend against attacks. Friend or foe? Often, shields would display a coat of arms, or a motto — making the combatants' allegiance known to all.
From the bottom up
To learn something "von der Pike auf" (from the pike upwards) means thoroughly, step by step and from the bottom up. A pike is a simple pole weapon used by the infantry as far back as the Middle Ages.
Cut and run
"Aus dem Staub machen" (make yourself out of the dust) — this phrase also has military origins. The dust referred to in the idiom is specifically the dust kicked up by horses and soldiers in battle, making for poor visibility. Anyone who tried to escape the turmoil and made off was a deserter. Today, the term means to skedaddle, cut and run.
Step into the breach
A person who steps into the breach for someone else is helping out in an emergency, standing up for others. In medieval days, attackers out to conquer a castle made inroads as soon as they managed to chop a gap in the fortress wall. The castle lord's servants and soldiers would jump into the resulting "breach" to close it and hold the castle.
Lined up properly
Recruits in the military learn to line up neatly in a row, next to and behind each other — in line with the person in front of them. Spruce it up, knock it into shape: The phrase "auf Vordermann bringen" literally means bring something in line with the person standing in front of you.
Jilted!
Nowadays, the German term "Laufpass geben" (literally, giving someone a running pass) refers to ending a relationship, jilting or ditching a person. In the 18th century, soldiers were given a "Laufpass" when they were discharged, an important document that proved they had not deserted.
Stick with it and persevere
The idiom "bei der Stange bleiben" (stay by the pole) also probably has its origins in the military. A glance at the flagpole (troop flag) gave soldiers in the field orientation. The common term describes a person who reliably holds out, sticks to one thing and continues to pursue their goal — like the single-minded ants.
Pull yourself together
If a German, annoyed, tells you to "Reiss dich am Riemen," they mean pull yourself together, get a grip on yourself and carry on. Soldiers at roll call had to look shipshape, the belt centered — if anything was askew, they would be ordered to "rip the strap."