A2Informal
Etwas auf dem Kerbholz haben
In German
Etwas auf dem Kerbholz haben
ˈɛtvas aʊ̯f deːm ˈkɛʁphɔlt͡s ˈhabn̩
🇬🇧 English
🇪🇸 Español
🇮🇹 Italiano
📖 Literal Translation
To have something on the tally stick
💡 Meaning
To have something on one's record; to have a blot on one's copybook
🌍 Equivalent:"To have a blot on one's copybook; to have a record"
📜 Origin:This idiom refers to the historical use of tally sticks ('Kerbholz') for accounting or recording debts. Each notch on the stick represented a debt or transgression. Thus, having something 'on the tally stick' means having a negative record.
Example Sentences
1
Der Politiker hat einige Skandale auf dem Kerbholz.
The politician has some scandals on his record.
2
Er hat schon viel auf dem Kerbholz, niemand vertraut ihm mehr.
He has a lot on his record, no one trusts him anymore.