in die Leere laufen

/ɪn diː ˈlɛːʁə ˈlaʊ̯fn/◆idiom
to drift aimlessly

Nach der Trennung lief er wochenlang in die Leere.

After the breakup, he drifted aimlessly for weeks.

◆ What It Really Means
To experience a profound sense of emptiness or lack of purpose, often leading to a passive, directionless state.
Literal Meaning
To physically walk into an empty space or void.
Literal Breakdown
ininto+die Leerethe void/emptiness+laufento run/walk
◇ Mental Image
Imagine walking into a vast, empty space where there is nothing to hold onto, nothing to guide you—just an overwhelming sense of hollowness.
◈ When to Use
After losing a loved one, someone might say, 'Ich laufe jeden Tag in die Leere' (I feel like I'm drifting aimlessly every day).
◉ Cultural Note
This phrase reflects a common German metaphor for existential emptiness, often tied to post-war literature and philosophical discussions about meaninglessness.
literary

To feel lost or devoid of purpose, often due to emotional emptiness or lack of direction.

Sie fühlte sich, als würde sie jeden Tag in die Leere laufen.

She felt like she was drifting aimlessly every day.

Nach dem Jobverlust lief er in die Leere, bis er eine neue Richtung fand.

After losing his job, he felt lost until he found a new direction.

Often used to describe a state of existential emptiness or lack of motivation.

Related Phrases

ins Leere laufenphrase
to come to nothing, to fizzle out
die Leere füllenphrase
to fill the void

Pro Tip

Emotional Context

Use this idiom to describe deep emotional emptiness or loss of direction, often after a significant life event like a breakup, job loss, or existential crisis.

Gold Rule

Avoid Literal Interpretation

This idiom is figurative. Do not use it to describe physical movement into an empty space.

Word Origin

The phrase combines 'Leere' (emptiness, void) and 'laufen' (to run/walk), metaphorically describing a state of aimless movement as if one is walking into nothingness. The imagery evokes a sense of hollowness and lack of direction.

Usage Notes

Commonly used in personal or emotional contexts to describe feelings of emptiness or lack of purpose. Often implies a passive acceptance of the state rather than active struggle.

Word Breakdown

in
into
preposition
+
die Leere
the void/emptiness
noun phrase
+
laufen
to run/walk
verb
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