sein Herz auf der Zunge tragen
to wear one's heart on one's sleeve
Origin
Goes back to the Bible (Sirach 21:28: "Fools carry their heart on their tongue …"); already taken up by Hugo von Trimberg in the 14th c.
Building blocks
Words in this expression
Grammar that uses this word
- Verb 'haben' (to have), present: du hast (you have)Verb 'haben' im Präsens: du hast
- Absolute accusative and free adjunctsAbsoluter Akkusativ und freie Angaben
- Consecutive connector 'sodass' vs. 'so … dass' (so that)Konsekutivkonnektor 'sodass' vs. 'so … dass'
- Modal verb 'können' (can)Modalverb 'können'
- Modal verb 'sollen' (should/ought to)Modalverb 'sollen'
- Polite subjunctive II: 'würde' + infinitive (would)Konjunktiv II höflich: 'würde' + Infinitiv
Examples
Sie trägt ihr auf der und sagt , was sie denkt.
She wears her heart on her sleeve and always says openly what she thinks.