Giving up an activity
The idiom sums up a decision and leaves the reason open. After many years, giving up the activity could feel freeing or sad.
Context tells you exactly what is ending. Someone giving up competitive sport can still play for fun.
Nach diesem Winter hängt Alma das Wettkampfschwimmen an den Nagel.
After this winter, Alma is giving up competitive swimming.
Alma is giving up competition. She may keep swimming for fun.
Word order and the fixed phrase
Put the activity in the accusative: Sie hängt den Job an den Nagel. In this example, the fixed phrase an den Nagel follows the object den Job.
In a main clause in the perfect tense, gehängt comes at the end: Er hat sein Hobby an den Nagel gehängt. With a modal verb, use the infinitive hängen there.
Nach drei Jahren hat der Vorstandsvorsitzende sein Amt an den Nagel gehängt.
After three years, the board chair stepped down.
Hat … gehängt forms the perfect tense.
Quitting, taking a break or hanging something up?
A break comes with an expectation of returning. Someone planning to train again next week has only taken time off.
The same words can describe a physical object. In Sie hängt den Schlüssel an den Nagel neben der Tür, the nail is where she hangs the key.
Ich will den Nebenjob an den Nagel hängen und mich auf die Ausbildung konzentrieren.
I want to quit my side job and focus on my training.
After will, hängen is in the infinitive.
Everyday conversations
Dialogue at the club
Eva tells Ben what she plans to do after the season.
- Eva
Nach der Saison hänge ich das Traineramt an den Nagel.
I’m stepping down as coach after the season.
- Ben
Hörst du dann ganz mit dem Sport auf?
Are you giving up the sport altogether?
- Eva
Nein, ich spiele weiter. Ich leite nur das Training nicht mehr.
No, I’ll keep playing. I just won’t run the training sessions anymore.
- Ben
Dann sehen wir uns ja weiter in der Halle.
Then we’ll still see each other at the gym.
Usage note
In a formal notice about stepping down from a position, das Amt niederlegen is a more precise choice.
Three practice tasks
Try each task before opening the explanation.
Ada plans to stop acting in plays. What could she say?
Answer and explanation
Ich hänge das Theaterspielen an den Nagel.
The idiom expresses Ada’s decision to stop acting.
Which phrase completes the idiom? Er hängt das Amt ___.
Answer and explanation
an den Nagel
An den Nagel is the fixed form in the idiom.
Which wording fits a formal statement about stepping down?
Answer and explanation
Die Vorsitzende legt ihr Amt nieder.
Das Amt niederlegen is the formal wording for stepping down.
What to remember
Use an den Nagel hängen when someone is giving up an activity. If they plan to resume, use Ich lege eine Pause ein, meaning ‘I’m taking a break.’