aus dem Handgelenk

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German

Etymology

Literally, out of the wrist.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /aʊ̯s deːm ˈhantɡəlɛŋk/
  • Audio:(file)

Prepositional phrase

aus dem Handgelenk

  1. (idiomatic) without much effort or preparation
    • 1943, Stefan Zweig, Schachnovelle:
      »Völlig ausgeschlossen, daß dieser Mann fünfundzwanzig Jahre nicht Schach gespielt haben soll! Er hat doch jeden Zug, jede Gegenpointe auf fünf, auf sechs Züge vorausberechnet. So etwas kann niemand aus dem Handgelenk. Das ist doch völlig ausgeschlossen – nicht wahr?«
      "Totally impossible that supposedly this man hasn't played chess in 25 years. He has calculated every move, every counterpoint for five, six moves in advance. No one can do that off the cuff. That's totally impossible – isn't it?"

Further reading