der Aal
eel
A long, snake-like fish that lives in fresh and salt water and is often used as a food fish.
EXAMPLE
In Norddeutschland isst man gerne geräucherten Aal.
In northern Germany, people like to eat smoked eel.
der Aal
eel
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Meanings
glatt wie ein Aal sein
to be slippery as an eel
A colloquial expression describing someone who is very hard to pin down, evasive, or difficult to catch out.
EXAMPLE
Der Politiker war in der Diskussion glatt wie ein Aal und wich jeder klaren Antwort aus.
The politician was slippery as an eel in the discussion and dodged every clear answer.
Usage tips
Context clue
If you hear or read the word 'glatt' (smooth/slippery) near 'Aal' (eel), the figurative meaning is almost always meant: a person who is hard to pin down. Without 'glatt', it is normally about the fish.
EXAMPLE
Er hat auf keine Frage direkt geantwortet, er ist wirklich glatt wie ein Aal.
He didn't answer any question directly; he really is slippery as an eel.
Typical collocations
As a food fish, 'Aal' (eel) is often mentioned in certain combinations. Typical ones are 'geräucherter Aal' (smoked eel) or verbs like 'Aal fangen' (to catch eel) and 'Aal essen' (to eat eel).
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Markt kauften wir frischen, geräucherten Aal.
At the market, we bought fresh smoked eel.
Fixed expression
The expression 'glatt wie ein Aal sein' (to be slippery as an eel) is a fixed idiom. It is used to describe a person who skillfully talks their way out of unpleasant situations and cannot be pinned down.
EXAMPLE
Der Verdächtige war bei der Befragung glatt wie ein Aal.
The suspect was slippery as an eel during the questioning.
In real life
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