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Den Teufel an die Wand malen

To paint a grim picture, to catastrophize, to imagine the worst-case scenario

In German

Den Teufel an die Wand malen

den TOY-fel an dee VAHNT MAH-len

Literal Translation

To paint the devil on the wall

Meaning

To paint a grim picture, to catastrophize, to imagine the worst-case scenario.

Equivalent:"To paint a grim picture; To catastrophize"

Origin:From the superstition that if you portray something evil (like the devil), you might invoke it or make it happen. Thus, warning against excessive pessimism.

Example Sentences

1
Rede nicht so negativ, du malst ja den Teufel an die Wand!
Don't talk so negatively, you're painting a grim picture!
2
Man sollte nicht immer gleich den Teufel an die Wand malen, es gibt auch gute Seiten.
One shouldn't always imagine the worst-case scenario; there are good sides too.

FAQ

How do you say "To paint a grim picture, to catastrophize, to imagine the worst-case scenario" in German?

"To paint a grim picture, to catastrophize, to imagine the worst-case scenario" in German is "Den Teufel an die Wand malen" (den TOY-fel an dee VAHNT MAH-len). Example: Rede nicht so negativ, du malst ja den Teufel an die Wand!.

To understand nothing at all, to be completely confused

Nur Bahnhof verstehen

noor BAHN-hohf fer-SHTEY-en

To kill two birds with one stone, to achieve two things at once

Zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe schlagen

TSVY FY-gen mit EY-ner KLAH-pe SHLAH-gen

To think outside the box, to broaden one's horizons

Über den Tellerrand schauen

UE-ber den TEL-ler-rahnt SHAU-en

To be clumsy, tactless, or disruptive in a delicate situation

Sich wie ein Elefant im Porzellanladen benehmen

zich vee ayn EL-ef-ant im POR-tsel-ahn-lah-den be-NEY-men