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Ein rotes Tuch sein

To be a sensitive or provocative topic/person that causes anger or extreme irritation

In German

Ein rotes Tuch sein

ain ro-tes tukh zain

Literal Translation

To be a red cloth

Meaning

To be a sensitive or provocative topic/person that causes anger or extreme irritation.

Equivalent:"To be a red rag to a bull"

Origin:Derived from the belief that bulls are enraged by the color red, a common misconception (it's the movement of the cloth). The idiom refers to anything that instantly provokes anger.

Example Sentences

1
Das Thema Gehalt ist für ihn ein rotes Tuch.
The topic of salary is a red rag to him (a red cloth).
2
Jede Kritik an seiner Arbeit ist für ihn ein rotes Tuch.
Any criticism of his work is a red rag to him (a red cloth).

FAQ

How do you say "To be a sensitive or provocative topic/person that causes anger or extreme irritation" in German?

"To be a sensitive or provocative topic/person that causes anger or extreme irritation" in German is "Ein rotes Tuch sein" (ain ro-tes tukh zain). Example: Das Thema Gehalt ist für ihn ein rotes Tuch..

To get grey hair, usually due to age, stress, or worry

Graue Haare bekommen

graue ha-re be-kom-men

To dislike someone and be unfriendly towards them

Jemandem nicht grün sein

ye-man-dem nikht gryun zain

To have a clean record and nothing to hide; to be innocent of any wrongdoing

Eine weiße Weste haben

ai-ne vai-se ves-te ha-ben

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)