die Weste
vest
A sleeveless item of clothing worn over a shirt or blouse and often under a jacket.
EXAMPLE
Zu seinem dreiteiligen Anzug trug er eine passende Weste.
He wore a matching vest with his three-piece suit.
die Weste
vest
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Meanings
die Weste
vest
A special vest that has a protective or safety function, such as a life jacket, high-visibility vest, or bulletproof vest.
EXAMPLE
Auf der Baustelle ist das Tragen einer Warnweste Pflicht.
On the construction site, wearing a high-visibility vest is mandatory.
eine weiße Weste haben
to have a clean record
To be innocent or have an impeccable reputation; to have done nothing wrong.
EXAMPLE
Der Politiker beteuerte vor der Presse, in dieser Angelegenheit eine weiße Weste zu haben.
The politician assured the press that he had a clean record in this matter.
Usage tips
Typical verbs
Like other items of clothing, vests are combined with the verbs 'tragen' (to wear), 'anziehen' (to put on), or 'anhaben' (to have on). For protective vests, the verb 'anlegen' (to put on) is also common.
EXAMPLE
Für das Fest hat er eine elegante Weste angezogen.
He put on an elegant vest for the celebration.
Special vests
The word 'Weste' (vest) is often the base word in compounds that describe a protective or safety function. The first part of the word explains the exact purpose.
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Boot müssen alle eine Schwimmweste tragen.
On the boat, everyone has to wear a life jacket.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'eine weiße Weste haben' literally means 'to have a white vest'. It is a fixed expression meaning that someone is innocent or has a spotless reputation, as if their clothing were symbolically clean.
EXAMPLE
Er behauptet, er habe eine weiße Weste, aber die Beweise sprechen gegen ihn.
He claims he has a clean record, but the evidence speaks against him.
In real life
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