A2Daily
Jemandem auf den Zahn fühlen
In German
Jemandem auf den Zahn fühlen
YE-man-dem owf den TSAHN FY-len
🇬🇧 English
🇪🇸 Español
🇮🇹 Italiano
📖 Literal Translation
To feel someone on the tooth
💡 Meaning
To sound someone out, to discreetly check someone's knowledge or intentions.
🌍 Equivalent:"To sound someone out"
📜 Origin:From veterinary medicine, where a horse's age and health were determined by examining its teeth. It implies a thorough and critical examination.
Example Sentences
1
Ich werde ihm mal auf den Zahn fühlen, was er wirklich vorhat.
I'll sound him out to see what he's really up to.
2
Der Chef wollte den Bewerbern auf den Zahn fühlen, um ihre Fachkenntnisse zu testen.
The boss wanted to sound out the applicants to test their expertise.