HANDLUNG & UMSETZUNG 

es gibt Handlungsbedarf = we need/have to act now; now it’s time to act; we have to do this job with a sense of urgency; the boss added a sense of urgency to the issue; the company is facing a renewed sense of urgency; we’ve gotta shake things up; we have to bite the bullet and force the issue; when push comes to shove we have to act on the matter; it’s time to step into/be spurred into action; something’s got to (gotta) give; stop dithering and dallying and get cracking/put a move on; the diplomatic standoff calls for/requires immediate/urgent action; the incident prompted management to swing/spring into action; our precarious financial situation needs to be addressed; they need to follow up/through on the matter; we should pull no punches on need for action; what we need in our company is a can-do attitude/ mentality; we need to grasp the nettle of this unpleasant task  

in manchen Firmen legt man keinen Wert auf Handlungsbedarf  = in this company we still lack/don’t have/don’t see the necessary sense of urgency/desperation     

er/sie/Firma hat nicht konsequent genug reagiert = don’t become/get complacent/be self-congratulatory because the issue seems to be lacking urgency; the company sees no urgency to respond/act     

Person/Mannschaft wird in die Pflicht genommen = the ball is now in our/your court; the manager put the supervisor on the spot and told him to get the job done; the onus to deliver is on/lies with all our staff; our employees need to demonstrate they can deliver better outcomes; management is now on the spot to deliver/produce the goods; the supervisor told him/her to toe/walk the line; team manager calls out his players and urges them to lift their game/get their act together         

etwas brennt jemandem auf den Nägeln = the heat is on the car makers now, so they need to act quickly on the diesel affair; the climate issue/question/effort gains/assumes urgency; that puts the spot on our department, so we have an obligation to act

jetzt sollen wir nicht kleckern/wollen wir uns nicht lumpen lassen, sondern klotzen = let’s cut the crap/bulshit and start surpling/thinking big-time now/reach for the stars; you’d better focus/zero in on the big picture now; no brakes on spending/investing in overseas ventures as corporation starts thinking big/big time; let’s have fun tonight big time; I used to be a small time/bush league punter/an also-ran at horse races, but now I bet big time/dig deep; she is no longer a little fish in a big pond; let’s act like a big spender and splash out/splurge a lot of money on/ for an exclusive holiday/a big dinner; there is more political grandstanding afoot as some politicians begin splurging/splashing cash on their pet projects; the newly-married couple really went to town on their honeymoon; big-picture planning needs to take place  

um sich was Schönes zu gönnen, muss man tief in die Tasche greifen =  some experiences  require a deep pocket

nachdem er viel Geld gespart hatte, entschied er zu klotzen, indem er sich einen First-Class Flug zu einem Sehnsuchtsziel leistete/ gönnte = after saving a lot of money, he decided to go the whole hog/to shoot the works/to dig deep, so he treated himself to a first class ticket to a  go-to destination 

er kleckert nur = he is just a small-time/small-scale businessman; he’s penny wise but pound foolish

es war ein kleiner Schritt, aber nicht der große Wurf = it was a small step but no game changer   

sich ins Zeug legen/sich reinhängen = man up and go all out; we have to lean into this task; the whole department came on like gangbusters /knuckled down/was in there pitching to get the job done 

hier spielt die Musik = this is where it’s at/where the action is; we are in the thick of it

das ist ein anderes Kaliber = that’s a different kettle of fish       

in der Bringschuld sein = it’s their turn to make a move now; the ball is in their court now

sich für etwas/jemanden einsetzen = he made/presented/stressed a case for his scheme/project; the Country Party keeps espousing/ pressing its cause/pushing for better digitized health services in rural areas; nowadays women more than ever stick up/stand up for their rights; the lack of qualified craftsmen/handymen helps make a strong/compelling business case for migration; he needs to go to bat/dig in his heels for his family; the government needs to advance/push through/pursue economical policies designed/intended to shore up the middle class and low paid workers; I think politicians should come out in favor of sweeping reforms in our taxation system; the Greens are waging/are locked in a valiant battle to protect our environment; it’s about time political parties come/jump to the defense of/stick up for our poorer citizens; students always seem to be pushing for/advocating for/crusading for/championing for a fairer world; many environmentally-savvy people today are putting their heart and soul into a campaign to rid our cities from heavy pollution; we should come together/create a sense of community feel and help/trust each other

sich etwas auf die Fahne schreiben = the government is committed to meeting the highest environmental goals in our nation’s history; the Labor Party is championing/trumpeting tax cuts for the needy and vulnerable citizens; environmentalists are on a mission/crusade to rid  the seas/oceans of plastic litter/trash; the political party is pledging/pushing for change in the aftermath of the scandal; our ultimate goal is /we plea to keep supporting the poor/hard-pressed and vulnerable individuals of our nation; airline/airport doubles down on its quest to be the best in the industry; the Christian Church is making a strong case to stay woke against social injustice and all types of discrimination (“woke” oder “stay woke”ist ein neue Bezeichnung, die für jene Person/Institution verwendet wird, die sich stark für die Rechte von Minderheiten sowie für Opfer von Diskriminierung einsetzt);   nowadays many civil/human rights activists display wokeness (i.e. they are willing to tackle social problems such as discrimination and inequality as well as  make up for historical grievances inflicted on racial/ gender groups) 

sich an etwas die Zähne ausbeißen = no matter how hard I tried all my efforts to crack the code were to no avail/in vain/fruitless; the whole scheme turned out to be an exercise in futility; you’re just wasting your breath because he won’t listen to your proposition;  I’m still sweating on this puzzle, because I still can’t solve it; this task is a tough call/a hard nut to crack

denk bloß nicht, dass es leicht war (es zu schaffen)  = don’t even dare think it was easy (to get the job done)

der Firmenbesitzer hat Tabula rasa gemacht = the company’s owner cleaned house when he fired a lot of staff

hier müsste man ansetzen = right here is where we should focus on/act on; we need a few quick fixes right here;  here is where we/I would draw the line   

kein Problem, wir werden dafür Sorge tragen/wir kümmern uns drum; wir werden es erledigen/abarbeiten = no worries, we’ll look after/ take care of/handle that/the issue; no big deal, we will chase up the matter; no worries, he'll see to it; we'll get it covered  

du sollst deine Hausarbeit richtig machen = you’ll have to do your own due dilligence

ich habe noch ein paar Sachen zu erledigen = I still have a couple things to chase up/ square away 

Kannst du dich drum kümmern? Could you chase it up?

ich muss ein Rezeptbuch für meine Frau besorgen = I need to chase up a recipe book for my wife

ich habe andere Sachen zu tun = I have other matters to attend/look after

wir haben es wie damals gemacht = we just did it old school; we could kick this/it the old way 

wir müssen etwas zusammenbasteln = we need to knock/throw something together

nichts ist unmöglich = nothing is off the cards 

wir müssen unseren Plan umsetzen = we need to go ahead with/execute/implement/ kickstart the plan; we have to put our plan in place/ into motion

wir sollten die Änderungen/Empfehlungen auf den Weg bringen = we should adopt/embrace the changes/recommendations

er meint es ernst =  he is fair dinkum (AUS for genuine/serious)/legit about his intentions to purchase a house/travel overseas; he's upfront about his real intentions 

Probieren geht über Studieren = the proof of the pudding is in the eating

ich muss die Wunschliste abarbeiten = I need to tick off/check off/strike off the action list 

wir sind/ich bin noch nicht durch/fertig =  we’re not done yet; we’re not over the hump yet; I'm not through yet; it ain’t over until the fat lady sings; it ain’t over till it’s over 

die Kuh ist noch nicht vom Eis; wir sind (noch) nicht aus dem Schneider = we’re not out of the woods yet; we haven’t turned the corner/are not over the hill/hump on the issue; the/this monkey is not yet off our back; we’re just about to nudge the monkey from one’s shoulders

einen Spagat/eine Gratwanderung hinlegen/machen = many women need to juggle between work and private life/personal commitments; housewives have to perform a juggling act between dealing with home duties and work; married women have to juggle children and career; the show treads a fine line between comedy and drama; there/it can be a fine line between success and survival/failure or between bravery and stupidity; you need to do/perform a fine balancing act if you want to succeed in the corporate world; it can’t hurt if you strike a balance between various interests/alternatives; it is a very difficult juggling act to walk/tread a tightrope/on eggs between two equal options; you’re skating/walking on thin ice/sitting dangerously on/straddling the fence; he/she is performing a daring/precarious high wire act

er/sie hat einen Drahtseilakt vollbracht = weathering the crisis was a high-wire act for the prime minister   

wir müssen vorsichtig vorgehen = it’s always advisable to tread lighter on a rocky road; for him it’s just another step along the tightrope; you are treading on hallowed ground; if you err, do it on the side of caution

wir sind wahrscheinlich gut beraten, wenn wir uns nicht über dieses heikles Thema äußern =  we'd probably be better off if we/we'd (had) better refrain from making any ill-advised/ill-judged comments on this delicate subject   

man soll etwas mit Augenmaß tun; immer Augenmaß walten lassen = exercise discretion/caution/pull your punches when you drive at night/visibility is low; applying common/good sense is the right way to approach many delicate issues; I keep telling my kids to watch TV in moderation; urge caution/prudence but don’t get complacent; one should approach a matter in a proportionate and sensible manner 

man soll nicht mit Kanonen auf Spatzen schießen = no need to use a sledgehammer to crack a nut

das war ein Schnellschuss, wir haben zu schnell gehandelt = don’t jump the gun on this issue; don’t get stung into action by some misleading press statement; that was a knee-jerk reaction on our part

er hat aus der Hüfte geschossen = he jumped/went off the deep end; he just shot from the hip

sie hat blitzschnell/so schnell wie Kai aus der Kiste reagiert/die Fragen beantwortet = his reaction was like nobody's business/lickety-split/lightning-fast; she answered all the questions right off the bat/with a lightning-like quickness   

in die Puschen/zu Potte kommen; wir/sie arbeiten mit Hochdruck  =  let’s get down to business; let’s get (this) going; they are under the gun to get the job done; we/they have to keep the pedal to the metal; let’s get cracking/moving; let’s crank it up tonight; let’s give it a try; let’s give it a go; we need to shift/go/kick into overdrive/to fire on all cylinders to get the work done; let’s set the wheels in motion/get the ball rolling/work in overdrive; we should get our plan underway now; the new security precautions have already kicked in; we need to gear up our planning process; he’s getting stuck into his new job; shovel out the equipment and round up the drivers; our project is starting to hit on all cylinders

einer unserer Top-Manager wird dabei sein, um den ganzen Prozess/die ganze Entwicklung von A bis Z zu verfolgen = one of our top executives will be there every step of the way

neue Maßnahmen ergreifen = the government decided to take steps to resolve the corporate tax evasion impasse

wir werden einschreiten, wenn es soweit ist = we will do so as/when appropriate

jemand ergreift/zeigt Initiative; es werden neue Wege beschritten = the large pharmaceutical corporation is leading/sparking the way in finding a new method to treat cancer; the major newspapers are leading the charge/pack/parade in the campaign against government corruption; upstart companies are often trend pacesetters 

um das Ziel zu erreichen, hat sie alle Register ihres Könnens gezogen/alle Hebel in Bewegung gesetzt =  she used every trick in the book/ threw everything bu the kitchen sink/went the extra mile/went out of her way to get the job done; she pulled all the stops/called on every weapon in her arsenal to achieve her goal   

schwere Geschütze auffahren = it’s time we pulled out all the big guns; the company brought in the heavy artillery/ammunition to implement the new system; come on, shape up, Rome wasn’t built in one day; we need to buckle down/beaver away to get this project off the ground before the deadline; we are fighting with all our armory to avoid the crisis; the government should now drop the hammer on the tax evaders/police corruption 

mit harten Bandagen/der Brechstange vorgehen = the government is taking a tough stance/hard line on tax evasion/fraud schemes; the teacher has been slammed/criticized for his heavy-handed style in the classroom; the local cops are getting hard/toughening their line on violent crime in our neighborhood; police uses/use a sledgehammer tactics when dealing with real criminals; sometimes it doesn’t always pay to take a first-hit and talk-later approach; the taxation office will conduct disciplinary proceedings and impose/slap sanctions on corporations, where applicable; the government throws the book at/is leaning on/dropping the hammer on tax evaders/fraudsters

Angriff ist die beste Verteidigung = people sometimes decide that attack is the best form of defense; there is a common belief that the best defense is a good offense; the best line/form of defense is attack 

der Weg wird geebnet = the demonstrations helped pave the way/set the stage/set the table/clear the decks for a new democratic government; with the new/fresh appointments the corporation is putting the wheels in motion/clearing the decks/greasing the wheels for a new management style; the large budget surplus sets the stage/sets the table/sets the scene for tax deductions; the freshly appointed CEO sets a high bar for the company’s goals/ambitions; with its expansion the company laid the groundwork for more job opportunities

Voraussetzungen werden erfüllt/geschaffen = measures/conditions/criteria/ requirements/prerequisites/prerogatives have been put in place for this huge project/venture   

Nägel mit Köpfen machen = it’s time to get down to business; let’s cut to the chase; the company should put its money where its mouth is; we need to/have to/gotta get this job done; we’ve gotta to lay it on the line; they are finally getting down/coming down to brass tacks/to the nitty gritty; we should step into action as soon as possible; let’s get the ball rolling on this issue; let’s give it the finishing touches; my supervisor has taken it upon himself to go out there and do it 

sie/er hat sich durchgesetzt  = in spite of plenty of opposition/against all odds she held/stood her own/ground against all other candidates; the concept/strategy works out for all interested parties; in the end he was able to bring home the bacon/deliver the goods; in the run-up to the key nomination the female candidate prevailed over the more experienced male contenders; after promising a victory, the captain of the team came through with a great game/flying colors on Friday night

sie müssen/er muss sich jetzt durchsetzen = now they need to/got to (gotta) call the shots; no matter/regardless of what happens, he’s hell bent on getting elected  

Hat er/sie sich durchgesetzt? = Did he/she prove/make his/her case? Was she/he able to make the grade/to cut it?  

für uns sieht es momentan schlecht aus = right now we're in for a bumpy ride/things are getting out of hand for us 

mach Platz, lass mich jetzt mal ran = move over, let me do it now

er/sie kann es richten = he/she is the right person to get the job done; he/she has the muscle to pull off the deal; no doubt, hands down he’ll /she'll pick up the slack

nicht mehr auf Schmuse-/Kuschelkurs  = no more go-softly approach; we are in for a rough ride; management is playing hardball with the union/will no longer bow easily to union’s demands   

Gewehr bei Fuß stehen = it’s all systems go (e.g. for the plan/project/vacation); the army is ready to strike; the troops/guys are at the ready  /standing by

das ist kein Wunschkonzert  = this is no picnic/no bed of roses/no holiday/not just hugs and kisses; winning the championship is no walk/ stroll in the park/not a piece of cake; this job is no bowl of cherries/not a cinch/not a breeze; it’s not all fun and sunshine

es wird sehr viel abverlangt; dies ist kein Kinderspiel, man muss sich warm anziehen  = this is a bone-breaker/ball-buster/a bitch of a job; the deck is stacked against the mega-project; this task will be a steep/big hill/mountain to climb; it’s not all beer/porter/ale and skittles; this won’t be an easy ride/run; writing this report in two hours is a tough call/pretty tall order/uphill task/battle/quest; this job is a big/tough ask; you'd better brace/get ready for a rude awakening 

jeden Tag (nur) malochen/schuften/sich abrackern/ranklotzen = I am tired of working hard/burning the candle at both ends/plugging away/grinding every single day; he’s the kind of person who busts his butt for the well-being of his family; at the steel plant/factory immigrants/migrants slave/work till they drop; I bend over backwards to graft out a life; he works his tail off day in day out; this daily grind/drudgery/repetitive tedium harms my health; my job is hard yakka (AUS)   

er/sie reißt sich den Arsch auf = he/she works his/her butt off/backside off/tail off/ass off (slightly vulgar) 

im Büro muss ich immer die Schwerstarbeit machen = I always have to do the heavy lifting/back-breaking work at the office

wir rackern uns ab bis zum Umfallen = we shall/will fight to the last man standing; no way we will relent now; sometimes people just work till they drop     

wer hart arbeitet, wird belohnt = if you keep your nose to the grindstone you could get a promotion; you if want to make it in the business world you have to work your tail off

nach diesem tollen Urlaub muss ich wieder ins Büro, und ich habe wenig Lust = after this enjoyable vacation it’s back to the salt mines; it’s back to work and I am beginning to feel that I am about to experience the post-vacation/post-holiday blues  

man arbeitet viel, kommt aber nicht weiter = in his job my dad is stuck in a rut/groove; many workers feel trapped in a consumer treadmill

es gibt heute Leute, die wollen nicht mehr von 9 bis 5 arbeiten = nowadays many ordinary people attempt to get off the 9 to 5 treadmill  Wann machst du Feierabend? = What time do you knock off work? 

wir tun unser Bestes im Interesse der Kunden; wir bemühen uns sehr, mit allen Situationen fertig zu werden  = our staff goes to great lengths to ensure their efforts are rewarded; pulling out all the stops/going out of one’s way is a great way to fulfill/align to clients requirements; leave no stone unturned/turn over every stone to get the job done; give it your best shot; she usually puts in a great effort/ scrambles to offer excellent service; we have to push the envelope/the boundaries/the limits in search for a solution to this dilemma; pull no punches when you deal/negotiate with the big banks; sometimes you need to sing a little harder for your supper; the company pursues every possible avenue to satisfy its customers; an all-out effort by our team is needed to win the coveted award; the newspaper is digging deeper into the corruption affair; the corporation took great pains to explain why it was almost on the brink of bankrupcy; the company decided to cut corners on social issues due to union-addled inertia

lass uns in die Arbeit stürzen = let's get to it; let’s get stuck/sink our teeth into our work/the task at hand   

eine Schippe drauflegen = the company is upping the ante in/doubling down on the takeover war; topping off the distress, residents of the damaged building were forced to leave their temporary hotel accommodation over previous commitments; team is shifting/ kicking/ slipping into overdrive; after the historical defeat the merciless press added/rubbed salt into/to the political party’s deep wounds; we need to work with a vengeance if we want to get the job done 

ich habe/er hat viel um die Ohren = I’m tied up today; this week I’m flat out; I’m snowed under with work; he is very busy with her work; my hands are literally full at the moment; I’m up to my ears/I’m drowning in work; this week he has been absolutely flat out/flat out like a lizard drinking (AUS); this morning I’m stretched (to the limit)

in einem Abwasch/Aufwasch erledigen = he did both things in/at one fell swoop

hier geht die Post ab = it seems all hell is breaking loose; let’s paint the town red tonight

wir lassen es krachen/wollen loslegen = we’ll let her/it rip tonight in the disco; last weekend they just let it loose/fly; come on, let’s live it up /let off some steam tonight at the party; he was out on the tear the other day; as soon we arrived in town for our holidays we were ready to rip/started firing/hitting on all cylinders; How about stirring things up a bit/raising a little hell tonight?

ich ziehe es durch = I’ll definitely see it through; I'm going to (gonna) pull this off

so wird’s gemacht = That’s the way to do it/you should do it!

Wer übernimmt den Fall/kümmert sich drum? = Who’s on the case? Who’s looking after this issue?