die Fliege
fly
A small flying insect that is often found near people and food.
EXAMPLE
Eine Fliege summte durch das offene Fenster ins Zimmer.
A fly buzzed into the room through the open window.
die Fliege
fly / bow tie
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Meanings
die Fliege
bow tie
An accessory for men that is worn with a shirt instead of a tie and is tied like a bow.
EXAMPLE
Zum Smoking trägt man traditionell eine schwarze Fliege.
A black bow tie is traditionally worn with a tuxedo.
die Fliege machen
to make a quick getaway
A colloquial expression meaning 'to flee or disappear quickly'.
EXAMPLE
Als die Polizei kam, haben die Diebe sofort die Fliege gemacht.
When the police came, the thieves immediately made a quick getaway.
Usage tips
Context clue
The meaning of 'Fliege' (fly / bow tie) is usually clear. If the topic is animals or hygiene, the insect is meant. In the context of clothing and formal occasions, the accessory is meant. The expression 'die Fliege machen' always means 'fliehen' (to flee).
EXAMPLE
Kannst du bitte die Fliege aus der Küche verscheuchen?
Could you please shoo the fly out of the kitchen?
Use as an accessory
When 'Fliege' (bow tie) refers to the item of clothing, it is often used with the verbs 'tragen' (to wear), 'umbinden' (to tie on), or 'anlegen' (to put on). You typically wear it 'zum Anzug' (with a suit) or 'zum Smoking' (with a tuxedo).
EXAMPLE
Er wusste nicht, wie man eine Fliege richtig bindet.
He didn't know how to tie a bow tie properly.
Fixed expression
The expression 'die Fliege machen' is a fixed idiom and means 'schnell verschwinden' (to disappear quickly) or 'fliehen' (to flee). The verb in this expression is always 'machen' (to make/do).
EXAMPLE
Als sie das Polizeiauto sahen, machten die Einbrecher sofort die Fliege.
When they saw the police car, the burglars immediately made a quick getaway.
Colloquial style
The idiom 'die Fliege machen' belongs to colloquial language. It is mainly used in informal, spoken situations.
EXAMPLE
Der Junge hat die Fliege gemacht, als er die zerbrochene Vase sah.
The boy made a quick getaway when he saw the broken vase.
Compare with
Fliege vs Schleife
bow / loop
Fliege is the specific accessory worn with a shirt instead of a tie. Schleife refers more generally to a knot with loops, such as one made from a ribbon. At the shirt collar, the garment is therefore called Fliege; when referring to the shape or the tying, Schleife is appropriate.
Fliege
Zum schwarzen Anzug trägt er eine rote Fliege am Hemdkragen.
He wears a red bow tie with his black suit at the shirt collar.
Schleife
Am Hemdkragen bindet er das rote Band zu einer Schleife.
At the shirt collar, he ties the red ribbon into a bow.
In real life
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