die Spendierhosen anhaben

to be in a generous mood; to be willing to treat others

Origin

The etymology is uncertain; the image of 'generosity trousers' (with bulging pockets) appears as early as around 1700 in Abraham a Sancta Clara and was probably spread by student slang. It may rest on a reinterpretation from Low German.

Source

Building blocks

Words in this expression

Examples

  • Heute zahle ich die ich habe die Spendierhosen an!

    Today I'm buying the round — I'm feeling generous!