B1 Informal Surprise

„Die Sache lief anders ab, als ich erwartet."

It turned out differently from what I expected.

Die Sache lief anders ab, als ich erwartet. — German idiom meaning: It turned out differently from what I expected. (B1)
Die Sache lief anders ab, als ich erwartet. — German idiom reference | DeuTale

What does „Die Sache lief anders ab, als ich erwartet." mean in German?

„Die Sache lief anders ab, als ich erwartet." means "It turned out differently from what I expected.." Literally: "The matter ran off differently than I expected.."

Literal Translation

"The matter ran off differently than I expected."

Die The
Sache matter
lief ran
anders off
ab differently
als than
ich I
erwartet expected

English Equivalent

"Things didn't go as planned."

This English idiom conveys the same meaning as the German expression.

Grammar Notes

Separable verb 'ablaufen'; comparative 'als'

When is this idiom used?

Informal

This expression is used in informal, casual German conversation among friends and family.

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