A2Daily

Einen Bock schießen

To make a blunder; to make a silly or embarrassing mistake

In German

Einen Bock schießen

ai-nen bok shee-sen

Literal Translation

to shoot a buck

Meaning

To make a blunder; to make a silly or embarrassing mistake.

Equivalent:"To make a blunder; to drop a clanger"

Origin:It is commonly traced to shooting contests, where the worst marksman is said to have received a billy goat ('Bock') as a mocking consolation prize, though this is not certain.

Example Sentences

1
Da habe ich echt einen Bock geschossen: Ich habe die Kundin mit dem falschen Namen angesprochen.
I really blundered there: I called the client by the wrong name.
2
Mit dieser Entscheidung hat der Trainer einen gewaltigen Bock geschossen.
The coach made a huge blunder with this decision.

FAQ

How do you say "To make a blunder; to make a silly or embarrassing mistake" in German?

"To make a blunder; to make a silly or embarrassing mistake" in German is "Einen Bock schießen" (ai-nen bok shee-sen). Example: Da habe ich echt einen Bock geschossen: Ich habe die Kundin mit dem falschen Namen angesprochen..

To be in debt, to be operating at a loss, to have negative financial figures

In den roten Zahlen sein

in den ro-ten tsah-len zain

To be absolutely furious about something; to be livid

Sich grün und blau ärgern

Zikh gryn unt blou AIR-gern

To have a succession of green traffic lights, allowing smooth and uninterrupted passage

Grüne Welle haben

gryu-ne vel-le ha-ben

To keep one's fingers crossed for someone, to wish someone good luck

Die Daumen drücken

dee DOW-men DRYCK-en