The German Expression 'Um die Ecke'

In the German short story 'Gut Ding will Weile haben' the expression 'um die Ecke' is used several times:

• Meine Mutter ist dann beim Friseur 'Da-schau-Hair' um die Ecke.
• Also gehen wir alle zusammen zum Baumarkt um die Ecke.
• Wir lachen immer noch, als meine Mutter um die Ecke kommt.

It is a commonly used expression in everyday language in both literal and metaphorical senses. Just a heads-up: if you use this, make sure you don't say 'um die Ecke bringen' as that has a different meaning, which you'll see in a minute. But first, the several meanings 'um die Ecke' usually has:

Spatial: 'Um die Ecke' is most often used to describe a place or movement. It means that something or someone is close by, just around a corner. For example, 'Der Baumarkt ist gleich um die Ecke,' translates to 'The hardware store is just around the corner.' It implies that the hardware store is nearby but not immediately visible.

Metaphorical: The expression can also be used metaphorically to indicate that something is about to happen or is imminent. For example, 'Die Ferien sind gleich um die Ecke,' means 'The holidays are just around the corner,' suggesting that the holidays will start soon. This use is appropriate for informal contexts.

Colloquial: An example for another informal use of 'um die Ecke' is: 'Da kam er mit so etwas um die Ecke!' It means: „Then he came up with something like that!' Generally speaking, this use describes something surprising or unexpected. 'Das kam um die Ecke' = 'That came out of nowhere'. Hence, it indicates that something happened suddenly and unexpectedly.

Warning: Don’t mix it up with 'Um die Ecke bringen'

The phrase 'um die Ecke bringen' in German is an idiomatic expression that has a more serious and negative connotation. It translates literally to 'bring around the corner,' but it is used to mean 'to kill' or 'to eliminate.' It’s a colloquial expression and is not typically used in formal situations. Instead, it might be found in casual conversations or in fiction, where it conveys a sense of finality regarding someone's fate.

Origin of 'Um die Ecke bringen'

Although the exact origin is not clearly documented, the following seems plausible: In the past (around the 18th/19th century), the idiom was probably meant more literally. Those who were 'taken around the corner' were led around a street corner – into an ambush or to a secluded place where they could be killed inconspicuously.

See also: Further explanations about the story

'The German short story 'Gut Ding will Weile haben''
'German Baumärkte '
'The Difference between schaut, sieht aus and schaut aus'
'The Difference between German and English quotation marks'
'The German Hairdressers‘ Wordplay Competition'