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Die grauen Zellen anstrengen

To think hard, to rack one's brain, to concentrate intensely

In German

Die grauen Zellen anstrengen

di grau-en tsel-len an-shtreng-en

Literal Translation

To strain the grey cells

Meaning

To think hard, to rack one's brain, to concentrate intensely.

Equivalent:"To rack one's brain"

Origin:Refers to the 'grey matter' of the brain, the cerebral cortex, which is associated with cognitive functions and intelligence. To 'strain' them means to engage in intense mental effort.

Example Sentences

1
Bei diesem Rätsel musste ich meine grauen Zellen ganz schön anstrengen.
With this riddle, I really had to strain my grey cells (think hard).
2
Streng deine grauen Zellen an, wir brauchen eine Lösung!
Rack your brain (strain your grey cells); we need a solution!

FAQ

How do you say "To think hard, to rack one's brain, to concentrate intensely" in German?

"To think hard, to rack one's brain, to concentrate intensely" in German is "Die grauen Zellen anstrengen" (di grau-en tsel-len an-shtreng-en). Example: Bei diesem Rätsel musste ich meine grauen Zellen ganz schön anstrengen..

To be in the prime of one's life, full of vitality and energy (often implies a certain age range, e.g., 30s-50s)

In den besten Jahren (im besten Saft und Kraft)

in den bes-ten yah-ren (im bes-ten zaft unt kraft)

To have very promising or optimistic prospects for the future

Rosige Aussichten haben

RO-zee-geh AUS-zikht-en HAH-ben

To be pessimistic, to expect the worst

Schwarz sehen

shvarts ze-en

To receive a letter of dismissal from work, a notice of termination

Einen blauen Brief bekommen

ai-nen blau-en brif be-kom-men