verprügeln
Translation
to beat up, to thrash, to batter
Examples
Er wurde auf der Straße verprügelt.
He was beaten up on the street.
Sie drohten damit, ihn zu verprügeln.
They threatened to beat him up.
Grammar Patterns
((sb.)) ((verprügeln)) to beat (sb.) up The thieves beat up the old man.
Similar Words
Synonyms: schlagen (to hit), zusammenschlagen (to beat up); Antonyms: streicheln (to stroke), pflegen (to care for)
Etymology
From the prefix 'ver-' (indicating excess or a negative outcome) and 'prügeln' (to club, to beat). Literally 'to over-beat'.
Memory Tips
The 'ver-' prefix often intensifies an action or gives it a negative twist. Think of it as turning a simple 'beating' into a 'thrashing'.