unterlassen
Translation
to refrain from, to omit, to cease, to neglect
Examples
Bitte unterlassen Sie das Rauchen.
Please refrain from smoking.
Er hat es unterlassen, mir zu helfen.
He neglected to help me.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to refrain from sth. Please refrain from smoking.
((es)) ((zu+infinitive)) to neglect to do sth. He neglected to help me.
Similar Words
Synonyms: to avoid (vermeiden), to stop (aufhören), to neglect (versäumen); Antonyms: to do (tun), to make (machen)
Etymology
From 'unter-' (under) and 'lassen' (to let, to leave). The idea is 'to leave something undone' or 'let it be'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'leaving' something 'under' the radar, meaning you don't do it. To refrain from doing it.