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Auf den Busch klopfen

To sound someone out; to cautiously try to find out what someone knows, thinks or plans

In German

Auf den Busch klopfen

owf den BOOSH KLOPF-en

Literal Translation

To knock on the bush

Meaning

To sound someone out; to cautiously try to find out what someone knows, thinks or plans.

Equivalent:"To sound someone out; to test the waters"

Origin:It comes from hunting: beaters struck the bushes to find out whether any game was hiding there and to drive it out.

Example Sentences

1
Ich werde mal beim Chef auf den Busch klopfen, ob eine Gehaltserhöhung drin ist.
I'll sound out the boss to see whether a pay rise might be possible.
2
Sie hat bei ihrer Freundin vorsichtig auf den Busch geklopft, um herauszufinden, was sie sich zum Geburtstag wünscht.
She carefully sounded out her friend to find out what she wanted for her birthday.

FAQ

How do you say "To sound someone out; to cautiously try to find out what someone knows, thinks or plans" in German?

"To sound someone out; to cautiously try to find out what someone knows, thinks or plans" in German is "Auf den Busch klopfen" (owf den BOOSH KLOPF-en). Example: Ich werde mal beim Chef auf den Busch klopfen, ob eine Gehaltserhöhung drin ist..

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