900 Jahre alte Linde in Bremen wird gestützt

What does “ganze Arbeit geleistet” mean in German?

A tree expert explains why this 900-year-old linden is collapsing: “die Pilze hier schon ganze Arbeit geleistet haben” — the fungi have done a thorough job, eating away most of the trunk. “ganze Arbeit leisten” usually praises work done fully and well. He says it flat and dry about the decay, so it lands as dark humour: the mushrooms were thorough, just on the wrong side. Tone matters more than the words.

In the clip: “die Pilze hier schon ganze Arbeit geleistet haben” — “the fungi have already done a thorough job here.” “ganze Arbeit leisten” means to do something completely, leaving nothing half-done. The mood depends on context: - “Die Handwerker haben ganze Arbeit geleistet.” — The workers did a thorough, solid job. (real praise) - “Der Sturm hat ganze Arbeit geleistet.” — The storm did a thorough job. (everything is wrecked — dry, dark) - “Da haben die Pilze ganze Arbeit geleistet.” — Said here about rot eating the tree, deadpan. Same words, opposite feelings. Listen to the speaker’s tone to tell praise from grim joke.