auf dem Schlauch stehen

to be stumped; to not get it for a moment

Origin

Origin not fully certain (since the 19th c.); the most commonly cited image: someone who accidentally stands on the fire hose cuts off the water flow and is left helpless.

Source

Building blocks

Words in this expression

gerade· just der Name· name der Schlauch· hose stehen· to stand total· totally

Grammar that uses this word

Two-way prepositions contrast: Wo? vs. Wohin? (where vs. where to)Wechselpräpositionen Kontrast: Wo? vs. Wohin?
Positional verbs with two-way prepositions (stellen/stehen …)Lokale Verben mit Wechselpräpositionen (stellen/stehen …)
Simple past 'musste' (had to, from müssen)Präteritum 'musste' (müssen)
Local preposition 'an' (at/on, Wo?/where? + dative)Lokale Präposition 'an' (Wo? + Dativ)

Examples

Wie war noch ihr ? Ich stehe auf dem .
What was her name again? I'm completely drawing a blank right now.