| die Fäden ziehen | pull the strings |
| die Stirn bieten | paragon |
| Fadenzieher | snag |
| zu Rate ziehen | consult |
| differenzieren | differentiate distinguish |
| die Augen rollen | roll one's eyes |
| die Ehe brechen | cheat |
| in die Länge ziehen | protract |
| die Faxen dicke haben | have had enough have had it up to here |
| die Fliege machen | sling one's hook |
| die Ohren spitzen | perk up one's ears prick one's ears |
| die Runde machen | do the rounds make the rounds |
| in Falten legen | flute |
| den Faden verlieren | lose the plot |
| Bindfäden regnen | rain cats and dogs |
| gerade biegen | straighten out |
| den Hut ziehen | tip one's hat |
| den Braten riechen | smell a rat |
| ziellos ziehen | drift |
| Leine ziehen | get lost sod off |