verdrehen
Translation
to twist, to sprain, to distort, to roll (one's eyes)
Examples
Ich habe mir den Fuß verdreht.
I've sprained my foot.
Er verdreht immer die Tatsachen.
He always distorts the facts.
Sie hat genervt die Augen verdreht.
She rolled her eyes in annoyance.
Grammar Patterns
sich3 et4 verdrehen to sprain/twist (a part of one's body) I've sprained my foot.
((sth.)) to distort (sth.) He always distorts the facts.
die Augen verdrehen to roll one's eyes She rolled her eyes in annoyance.
Similar Words
Synonyms: verbiegen (to bend), verzerren (to distort); Antonyms: gerade richten (to straighten)
Etymology
From the prefix 'ver-' (indicating something done incorrectly or to excess) + 'drehen' (to turn). It implies turning something the wrong way.
Memory Tips
Think of 'drehen' (to turn) and the prefix 'ver-' making it a 'bad turn' – leading to a sprain, a distortion, or an annoyed eye-roll.