stemmen
Translation
to lift, to press, to brace, to manage
Examples
Er stemmte das Gewicht in die Höhe.
He lifted the weight up high.
Sie stemmte die Hände in die Hüften.
She put her hands on her hips.
Wir müssen diese Aufgabe zusammen stemmen.
We have to manage this task together.
Er stemmte sich gegen die Tür.
He braced himself against the door.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) ((into sth.)) to press sth. into sth. Sie stemmte die Hände in die Hüften.
sichAkk ((against sth.)) to brace oneself against sth. Er stemmte sich gegen die Tür.
((sth.)) to manage sth. (figurative) Wir müssen diese Aufgabe stemmen.
Similar Words
Etymology
Comes from the idea of stopping a flow, like a 'stem' or a 'dam'. It means to exert force to hold something back or push it up.
Memory Tips
Picture a tree 'stem' (Stamm) holding up the branches, or someone 'stemming' a heavy weight.