sich die Hörner abstoßen: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

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  • To knock off one's horns; literally to remove or have the horns of an animal rubbed or broken off.

  Examples

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  • Der Bauer brachte die jungen Stiere in den Stall, damit sie sich die Hörner abstoßen können.

    The farmer brought the young bulls into the barn so that they could knock off their horns.

• 2.

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  • To gain experience, typically by engaging in youthful or worldly activities; to lose innocence or to learn through practical experience.

  Examples

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  • In seiner Jugend hat er sich die Hörner abgestoßen und dadurch viel Lebenserfahrung gesammelt.

    In his youth, he gained experience by 'knocking off his horns' and thus gathered a lot of life experience.

  • Man muss sich die Hörner abstoßen, um im Beruf selbstsicher und kompetent zu werden.

    One must gain experience to become confident and competent in their profession.