verfangen
Translation
to get caught, to get entangled, to be effective
Examples
Der Vogel hat sich im Netz verfangen.
The bird got caught in the net.
Sie verfing sich in Widersprüchen.
She got entangled in contradictions.
Seine Argumente verfangen nicht.
His arguments are not effective.
Grammar Patterns
sich ((in sth.dat)) verfangen to get caught in sth. The bird got caught in the net.
((subject)) verfängt (for arguments, etc.) to be effective His excuse isn't effective.
Similar Words
Synonyms: sich verheddern (to get tangled), hängen bleiben (to get stuck); Antonyms: sich befreien (to free oneself), loskommen (to get away)
Etymology
From the prefix ver- (often indicating something going wrong) + fangen (to catch). So, 'to be caught' in a negative or unintended way.
Memory Tips
Think of 'ver-' as 'for-' in 'forlorn' or 'forbid', implying a negative outcome. You 'catch' (fangen) yourself in a trap.