B2 Formal Family

„Er ist aus der Art geschlagen."

He is an unworthy scion.

Er ist aus der Art geschlagen. — German idiom meaning: He is an unworthy scion. (B2)
Er ist aus der Art geschlagen. — German idiom reference | DeuTale

What does „Er ist aus der Art geschlagen." mean in German?

„Er ist aus der Art geschlagen." means "He is an unworthy scion.." Literally: "He is struck out of the kind.."

Literal Translation

"He is struck out of the kind."

Er He
ist is
aus struck
der out
Art of
geschlagen the

English Equivalent

"He's the black sheep of the family."

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

Grammar Notes

'aus der Art schlagen' = to be unlike one's family

When is this idiom used?

Formal

This expression is used in formal or literary German, often found in written texts and speeches.

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