erübrigen
Translation
to make unnecessary, to spare, to save
Examples
Diese Frage erübrigt sich.
This question is now unnecessary.
Er konnte etwas Zeit für mich erübrigen.
He was able to spare some time for me.
Grammar Patterns
sich erübrigen to become unnecessary, to be superfluous Any further discussion is unnecessary.
((sth.)) erübrigen to spare (sth., e.g. time, money) I'm afraid I can't spare any time for that.
Similar Words
sich erübrigen: to become superfluous, to be unnecessary; etw. erübrigen: to spare, to find (time/money)
Etymology
From the prefix 'er-' and 'übrig' (left over, remaining). The idea is 'to make something left over', which leads to the meaning 'to make unnecessary' or 'to spare'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'übrig' (left over). If you can make something 'left over', you can 'spare' it. If something makes itself 'left over' (sich erübrigen), it becomes unnecessary.