A2Business

Sich den Buckel abarbeiten

To work extremely hard, to exert oneself to the point of exhaustion

In German

Sich den Buckel abarbeiten

zikh den boo-kel ap-ar-bye-ten

Literal Translation

To work one's back off

Meaning

To work extremely hard, to exert oneself to the point of exhaustion.

Equivalent:"To work one's fingers to the bone"

Origin:The idiom literally evokes the image of working so hard that one's back (Buckel) is worn out or 'worked off', symbolizing extreme physical effort.

Example Sentences

1
Er hat sich sein ganzes Leben den Buckel abgearbeitet, um seiner Familie ein gutes Leben zu ermöglichen.
He worked his back off his whole life to provide a good life for his family.
2
Wir müssen uns den Buckel abarbeiten, um dieses Projekt pünktlich abzuschließen.
We have to work our backs off to finish this project on time.

FAQ

How do you say "To work extremely hard, to exert oneself to the point of exhaustion" in German?

"To work extremely hard, to exert oneself to the point of exhaustion" in German is "Sich den Buckel abarbeiten" (zikh den boo-kel ap-ar-bye-ten). Example: Er hat sich sein ganzes Leben den Buckel abgearbeitet, um seiner Familie ein gutes Leben zu ermöglichen..

To have a comfortable, secure, and well-paying job or position, often obtained through connections or privilege rather than pure merit

Ein warmes Plätzchen haben

ine var-mes pletz-khen hah-ben

To receive the largest portion or share of something, often unfairly or disproportionately

Den Löwenanteil bekommen

den loe-ven-an-teil be-kom-en

To waste money, to spend lavishly and carelessly

Geld zum Fenster hinauswerfen

gelt tsum fen-ster hee-nous-ver-fen

To prepare for hard work, to get ready to tackle a task with determination

Die Ärmel hochkrempeln

dee er-mel hokh-krem-peln