How to Say ‘To show off’ in German
Auf dicke Hose machen
owf DIK-keh HOH-seh MAK-en
[owf DIK-keh HOH-seh MAK-en]
🇩🇪 In Germany: [Auf dicke Hose machen] is strongly colloquial and often mocking: it suggests someone is acting important, flashy, or richer/tougher than they are. It's vivid slang, so it can sound harsh if you say it about someone directly.
Phrase Breakdown
Auf
[owf]
To show off
Trying to impress others by being flashy or boastful.
Er versucht immer, auf dicke Hose zu machen.
He always tries to show off.
dicke
[DIK-keh]
big
Describing something large, here metaphorically.
Auf dicke Hose machen mit seinem neuen Auto.
Showing off with his new car.
Hose
[HOH-seh]
pants
Common clothing item, used metaphorically in this phrase.
Er macht auf dicke Hose bei der Party.
He's showing off at the party.
machen
[MAK-en]
to make
Part of the phrase, indicating action.
Warum machst du auf dicke Hose?
Why are you showing off?
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