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Sich etwas schönreden

To talk oneself into believing something is better than it is, to sugarcoat a situation for oneself

In German

Sich etwas schönreden

zikh et-vas shön-re-den
Literal Translation
To talk something beautiful to oneself
Meaning
To talk oneself into believing something is better than it is, to sugarcoat a situation for oneself.

Equivalent:"To sugarcoat something"

Origin:The idiom implies a self-deception where one uses positive language ('schönreden' - to talk beautifully) to make an undesirable reality appear more palatable to oneself.

Example Sentences

  1. 1

    Er redet sich die ganze Situation schön, obwohl sie aussichtslos ist.

    He's talking himself into believing the whole situation is beautiful (sugarcoating it), even though it's hopeless.

  2. 2

    Wir dürfen uns die Probleme nicht schönreden, wir müssen sie angehen.

    We mustn't sugarcoat the problems for ourselves; we have to address them.

FAQ

How do you say "To talk oneself into believing something is better than it is, to sugarcoat a situation for oneself" in German?

"To talk oneself into believing something is better than it is, to sugarcoat a situation for oneself" in German is "Sich etwas schönreden" (zikh et-vas shön-re-den). Example: Er redet sich die ganze Situation schön, obwohl sie aussichtslos ist..

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