die Kirche im Dorf lassen

to keep things in perspective; not to overdo it

Origin

Probably from the late Middle Ages: during processions one should keep the church (church life) in the village rather than carrying it far out - figuratively: don't exaggerate.

Source →

Building blocks

Words in this expression

das Dorf· village die Kirche· church lassen· to let ruhig· quiet

Grammar that uses this word

Present perfect with 'haben': sie/Sie haben … (participle)Perfekt mit 'haben': sie/Sie haben … Partizip II
Preposition 'um' (around/at, accusative)Präposition 'um' (Akkusativ)
gegenüber (opposite, towards)gegenueber (+ Dativ)
Relative clause with genitive (dessen / deren, whose)Relativsatz mit Genitiv (dessen / deren)
Regular verbs: wir-form (stem + -en)Regelmäßige Verben: wir-Form (Stamm + -en)
Preposition 'aus' (from/out of, dative)Präposition 'aus' (Dativ)

Examples

Bleib und lass die im .
Stay calm and keep things in proportion.