Verb

behaupten

Translation

to claim, to assert, to maintain, to allege

Er behauptet, die Wahrheit zu sagen.

He claims to be telling the truth.

Sie konnte sich gegen die Konkurrenz behaupten.

She was able to hold her own against the competition.

((et4)) to claim (sth.) He claims his innocence.

((, dass ...)) to claim (that ...) She claims that she saw nothing.

sich ((gegen+4)) to hold one's own (against sb./sth.) He holds his own against his critics.

to assert (versichern), to state (angeben), to defend (verteidigen)

Composed of the prefix 'be-' and 'Haupt' (head, main). The idea is to make something the 'head' or main point, hence 'to assert'.

Think of making something your 'Haupt'-sache (main thing/issue). You are 'be-haupt-en'-ing it.