Conjugate the verb inside the idiom
Den Ausschlag geben means to be decisive. The subject still determines the verb: singular Preis gives gibt, plural Kosten gives geben. Fixed wording does not suspend agreement.
Der Preis gibt den Ausschlag.
The price is decisive.
Learn the conventional image
Auf der Hand liegen conventionally expresses obviousness. A body-part synonym is not automatically interchangeable. Ins Gewicht fallen concerns importance in an evaluation, not necessarily literal physical movement.
Die zusätzlichen Kosten fallen kaum ins Gewicht.
The additional costs carry little weight.
Distinguish a creative echo from common usage
An invented workshop headline such as Die Lösung liegt auf der Werkbank can play with the familiar expression. Its topic must support the reading. Understanding a new phrase does not prove that the phrase is widely used.
Der Titel verändert eine bekannte Redewendung.
The title modifies a familiar idiom.
Practise this pattern
The matching block includes guided questions, a separate mastery check and spaced review. The first 10 blocks and two samples at each higher level are free; other blocks require course access or an eligible seven-day trial. These tasks practise specific grammar patterns and do not certify a complete language level.
Explore this grammar blockRelated grammar
- German collocations: Bedenken äußern, Kritik üben and precise word choices
- German verb–noun phrases: Entscheidung treffen and zur Verfügung
- German nominal style: make formal sentences clearer without changing facts
- German nominal style: turn action nouns into clear clauses
- Explore the German grammar path
References
Original explanations and examples informed by grammar references. Level placement is an editorial teaching choice.