frei|kaufen
Translation
to ransom, to buy someone's freedom, to bail out
Examples
Sie mussten den Gefangenen freikaufen.
They had to ransom the prisoner.
Er kaufte sich vom Militärdienst frei.
He bought his way out of military service.
Grammar Patterns
((j-n)) ((aus/von+3)) to ransom sb. from sth. They had to ransom the prisoner from captivity.
Similar Words
Synonyms: to ransom, to redeem
Etymology
From 'frei' (free) + 'kaufen' (to buy). Literally 'to buy free'.
Memory Tips
The meaning is very literal: you 'buy' someone's 'freedom'. Imagine buying a slave to set them free.