scales falling from eyes

The now commonly-used English idiom “scales falling from eyes” (meaning to suddenly realizing the truth about something) was first coined in 1382 in the English translation by John Wycliffe (in the spelling scalis felden fro hise iyen). (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 299)

Likewise, the now commonly-used German idiom wie Schuppen von den Augen fallen (literally “like scales falling from the eyes”), which today is primarily used meaning sudden and complete clarity, was made popular in 1522 in the German New Testament translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Redewendungen aus der Bibel )

For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here and for idioms or terms in German, see here.

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