über den eigenen Schatten springen
to overcome one's nature; to step out of one's comfort zone
Origin
Based on the old belief that the shadow is inseparably tied to a person's inner nature. The proverb "no one can jump over their own shadow" is attested as early as 1630 in Lehmann.
Building blocks
Words in this expression
Grammar that uses this word
- Two-way prepositions with accusative (Wohin? / where to)Wechselpräpositionen mit Akkusativ (Wohin?)
- 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 …)
- Verb 'helfen' (to help, + dative)Verb 'helfen' (+ Dativ)
- jeder / jede / jedes (every, each)jeder / jede / jedes (jeder-Wörter)
- Modal verbs used subjectively (er dürfte krank sein)Modalverben subjektiv (er dürfte krank sein)
Examples
Sie sprang ihren eigenen und bat um .
She stepped out of her comfort zone and asked for help.