Torschlusspanik Torschlusspanik

· from German

What does Torschlusspanik mean?

Torschlusspanik, gate-closing panic, is the German fear that time is running out to achieve something, especially life goals.

Originally it described the panic of people outside a medieval city as the gates closed at night. Today it often refers to midlife urgency about marriage, children or careers. Many adult learners feel it about the critical period.

Examples

Torschlusspanik at 40 about never learning Japanese; rushing into marriage from Torschlusspanik

Kungfucius says: Torschlusspanik about learning Mandarin? Relax. The gate is open; it just squeaks.