entarten
Translation
to degenerate, to get out of hand, to become depraved
Examples
Die Diskussion ist völlig entartet.
The discussion got completely out of hand.
Die Feier entartete in eine Schlägerei.
The party degenerated into a brawl.
Grammar Patterns
((intransitive)) to degenerate, to get out of hand The discussion entartete.
((in+acc)) to degenerate into sth. The party entartete in eine Schlägerei.
Similar Words
Synonyms: ausarten, degenerieren, verkommen
Etymology
Composed of the prefix 'ent-' (away from, removal) and 'Art' (type, kind, nature). It literally means 'to move away from one's nature'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'ent-' (away from) + 'Art' (the proper way/nature). A situation moves away from its proper nature and gets out of hand.