What does whistling in the graveyard mean?

The wiktionary.org definition of the phrase ”to whistle past the graveyard” is really more of a 4-part explanation than a definition: ”To attempt to stay cheerful in a dire situation; to proceed with a task, ignoring an upcoming hazard, hoping for a good outcome.

How do you say it is what it is in German?

“so ist es nun mal”

Why should you never whistle in a graveyard?

Never whistle in a graveyard, you are summoning the Devil. Never take anything from a cemetery; the dead may follow you to get it back. If there is thunder following a burial, the deceased has reached heaven.

Is it bad luck to walk in a cemetery?

A common superstition in North American and England says that it’s bad luck to stand on someone’s grave. Today, people still refuse to walk on or near graves for fear of disrupting the dead.

What is whistling in the dark?

Fig. to guess aimlessly; to speculate as to a fact. Am I close, or am I just whistling in the dark? She was whistling in the dark. She has no idea of what’s going on.

How to memorize a German sentence?

The more senses and muscles you engage as you learn a language, the more likely you are to remember it correctly and the longer you will remember it. A third time, cover the German and read the English version; then task yourself, as in a dictation, with writing the sentence in German.

How to learn common German phrases?

There are plenty of ways to learn German phrases, but the best ones typically involve consulting unofficial sources. That is, getting out of the classroom, consuming German culture or talking to some Germans. Here we’ve provided some specific ways you can go about learning common German phrases.

Why are idioms difficult to understand in German?

2. Idioms can be difficult to understand if you don’t already know them. As stated above, idioms often make no sense when translated directly into another language. Some German idioms are the same as English idioms, but others make no sense when translated into English.

What does the German idiom “Spinnen” mean?

However, since the actual origin of this idiom is debatable, the word “spinne” could also derive form the verb “spinnen” (to spin). Nonetheless, this phrase is widely used throughout Germany to express one’s surprise (both in a positive or negative way) or to show great disbelief about a situation.