https://www.proz.com/kudoz/german-to-english/idioms-maxims-sayings/1531930-mehr-schein-als-sein.html
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Alte Sust

Glossary entry

German term or phrase:

mehr Schein als Sein

English translation:

more style than substance

Added to glossary by Erin McGann
Sep 5, 2006 13:14
17 yrs ago
4 viewers *
German term

mehr Schein als Sein

German to English Art/Literary Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
I have a rough idea what this means, something like it is hyped up to be more than it actually is.

I need a natural-sounding English equivalent pls!

Thank you!
Proposed translations (English)
3 +6 more style than substance
3 +3 Long on bravado, short on balls
4 appears better, more, (whatever) than it actually is
4 more illusion than reality
3 +1 it looks/seems to be more than it (actually) is
3 +1 long on looks, short on performance
3 +1 not everything that glitters is gold
4 Keeping up appearance(s)
3 great appearance, poor performance
3 There is no there there.

Discussion

Ken Cox Sep 5, 2006:
The only consolation is that these people who expect you to translate survey responses without knowing the questions generally get what they deserve.
Armorel Young Sep 5, 2006:
I'm with Nick - I think "not all it's hyped up to be" is the best suggestion yet.
Nick Somers (X) Sep 5, 2006:
I think your own suggestion is the most natural: not all it's hyped up to be
Erin McGann (asker) Sep 5, 2006:
Lack of I realise you would like some more context, quite frankly so would I.
This appears in a list of verbatim responses - unfortunately I don't know what the question is, its not provided.
Basically, it seems to be answerers opinions on a certain car model.
Richard Benham Sep 5, 2006:
If it's from a list of verbatim responses then presumably there was a question...?
Erin McGann (asker) Sep 5, 2006:
BTW, this is in reference to a car.

Proposed translations

+6
11 mins
Selected

more style than substance

In the absence of context (would it really hurt to give at least the sentence in which this expression occurs?), I can't be sure whether this works better than the other suggestions proffered so far.
Note from asker:
The phrase appears in a list of verbatim responses so I don't have a lot of context either, besides, I think noting that its referring to a car is context enough!
Yes, you'd think that wouldn't you. Unfortunately the list only contains the responses. My customer expects me to be good at guesswork!
Peer comment(s):
agree Caro Maucher : Könnte bei einem Auto gut passen. Stimme auch der Kontextfrage zu.
3 mins
Danke.
agree Francis Lee (X) : or all gloss ... or shiny outside, dull inside (which is different, but still ...)
19 mins
Thanks.
agree Melanie Nassar : yes, close to the original and catchy too // great!
4 hrs
Thanks. And how about "More show than go"?
agree writeaway :
4 hrs
agree Claire Cox : or even "All show"
8 hrs
agree dercarson
20 hrs
Something went wrong...
2 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "I actually went with "not all it's hyped up to be" in the end but from the responses received, I liked this suggestion best. Thanks everyone! Erin"
3 mins

appears better, more, (whatever) than it actually is

One idea.
Something went wrong...
6 mins

more illusion than reality

;-)
Something went wrong...
+1
6 mins

it looks/seems to be more than it (actually) is

For example, sporty looking cars with motors and/or transmissions that don`t match the sleek lines!
Peer comment(s):
agree BrigitteHilgner : glamour on the outside and problems underneath the bonnet.
3 mins
Thankyou, Brigitte
Something went wrong...
9 mins

great appearance, poor performance

Since it's about a car.
Peer comment(s):
neutral Richard Benham : I think you are assuming too much here.
3 mins
Something went wrong...
+1
28 mins

long on looks, short on performance

A SHEEP IN WOLF'S CLOTHING - expression often used for cars
Peer comment(s):
agree Richard Benham : More show than go?
31 mins
Something went wrong...
+1
41 mins

not everything that glitters is gold

As you have not given more context (is this a headline or in a list, or in a text?) this is what I'd suggest.
Peer comment(s):
agree seehand
1 hr
Thank you!
Something went wrong...
1 hr

There is no there there.

from Gertrude Stein

Just another choice.
Reference:

http://www.bartleby.com/66/37/55537.html

Peer comment(s):
neutral Richard Benham : This would be admirable in a literary context (I suppose), but hey, this is a market research survey.
2 hrs
Something went wrong...
2 hrs

Keeping up appearance(s)

depending on context!
Reference:

x

Something went wrong...
+3
2 hrs

Long on bravado, short on balls

Long on whizz, short on bang
Long on horsepower, short on grunt
Long on swash, short on buckle
All mouth, no trousers
Long on promises, short on delivery
Fur coat, no knickers

(Doesn't fit but it sounds nice:
Long on Luxury, Short on Froufrou
Jaguar XJR
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060817/...

Peer comment(s):
agree writeaway : :-)
2 hrs
agree Cilian O'Tuama : all show, no action is what minority me would say// oops, I meant all TALK, no action
11 hrs
agree Francis Lee (X) : i.e. you can dress a monkey up in a suit, but ... ; here, the "all mouth ..." is the closest to the original
14 hrs
Something went wrong...