Verb

ab|wickeln

to process, to handle, to settle, to unwind

Wir müssen den Vertrag abwickeln.

We have to process the contract.

Er wickelt das Geschäft ab.

He is handling the business transaction.

Sie wickelte den Faden von der Spule ab.

She unwound the thread from the spool.

((sth.)) to process/handle sth. We need to handle the transaction quickly.

Synonyms: to handle, to process, to carry out; Antonyms: to start, to begin

From 'ab-' (off, completion) and 'wickeln' (to wind, wrap). It can mean 'to unwind' literally, or figuratively 'to wrap up' a task, meaning to process or handle it.

Think of 'winding down' a project or 'unwinding' a complex situation. This connects both the literal and figurative meanings.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.