plumb line / solder
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plumb line
A tool consisting of a weight on a string that is used to determine an exact vertical line. It is used mainly in construction.
Der Maurer prüfte mit dem Lot, ob die Mauer perfekt senkrecht stand.
The bricklayer checked with the plumb line whether the wall was perfectly vertical.
solder
A metal alloy with a low melting point that is used to join metal parts by soldering.
Für die Reparatur der Platine brauchte er einen Lötkolben und feines Lot.
To repair the circuit board, he needed a soldering iron and fine solder.
to be in balance
To be all right, balanced, or in a good state.
Nach dem Urlaub fühle ich mich wieder entspannt und mit mir selbst im Lot.
After the vacation, I feel relaxed again and in balance with myself.
lot
A historical unit of weight that was equivalent to about 15 to 17 grams.
In dem alten Kochbuch wurden die Zutaten noch in Pfund und Lot angegeben.
In the old cookbook, the ingredients were still given in pounds and lots.
You can easily recognize the different meanings of 'Lot' from context. Words like 'Mauer' (wall) or 'senkrecht' (vertical) point to the tool, while 'löten' (to solder) or 'Platine' (circuit board) point to the metal. The expression 'im Lot sein' (to be in balance) describes a state.
Der Handwerker benutzt ein Lot, um die Wand gerade auszurichten.
The craftsman uses a plumb line to align the wall straight.
Related to the tool, there is the idiom 'etwas ins Lot bringen' (to bring something into alignment). Literally, it means to align something vertically. Figuratively, it means to bring a disorderly situation back into order.
Wir müssen die schiefe Säule wieder ins Lot bringen.
We have to bring the crooked column back into alignment.
The expression 'im Lot sein' (to be in balance) is often used with 'alles' (everything) or 'etwas' (something) to describe a state. When referring to a person, you use the reflexive form 'mit sich (selbst) im Lot sein' (to be in balance with oneself).
Keine Sorge, bei mir ist alles im Lot.
Don't worry, everything is fine with me.
The meaning as a unit of weight is no longer common today. It is found almost exclusively in historical texts, old recipes, or discussions about the history of measures and weights.
Die Apothekerin wog die Kräuter früher in Lot ab.
In the past, the pharmacist weighed the herbs in lots.
