disfavor
die Ungnade, die Ungnaden
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to fall out of favor
To lose the favor, goodwill, or approval of a person, often a person in authority.
Nach dem Skandal ist der Minister bei der Kanzlerin in Ungnade gefallen.
After the scandal, the minister fell out of favor with the chancellor.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Ungnaden |
| genitive | der Ungnade |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Ungnade | die Ungnaden |
| accusative | die Ungnade | die Ungnaden |
| dative | der Ungnade | den Ungnaden |
| genitive | der Ungnade | der Ungnaden |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The word 'Ungnade' (disfavor) is used almost exclusively in the fixed expression 'bei jemandem in Ungnade fallen' (to fall out of favor with someone). This expression means to lose the sympathy or goodwill of a usually higher-ranking person.
Mit dieser unüberlegten Äußerung ist er bei seinen Vorgesetzten in Ungnade gefallen.
With that thoughtless remark, he fell out of favor with his superiors.
The noun is made up of the prefix 'un-' (not) and 'die Gnade' (grace, but also favor or goodwill). 'Ungnade' (disfavor) is therefore literally the state in which one no longer enjoys favor.
Nach seinem Verrat lebte er für den Rest seines Lebens in Ungnade.
After his betrayal, he lived in disfavor for the rest of his life.
The verb in the expression is 'fallen' (to fall). It is irregular ('fällt', 'fiel', 'gefallen') and forms the perfect tense with 'sein', because it describes a change of state.
Der Minister ist nach dem Skandal bei der Bevölkerung in Ungnade gefallen.
After the scandal, the minister fell out of favor with the public.
The expression 'in Ungnade fallen' (to fall out of favor) belongs to elevated language. It is often used in formal, political, or historical contexts and sounds rather distant in normal everyday speech.
Im Mittelalter konnte ein Ritter schnell beim König in Ungnade fallen.
In the Middle Ages, a knight could quickly fall out of favor with the king.
