verprellen
Translation
to alienate, to scare off, to offend, to put off
Examples
Mit seiner arroganten Art verprellt er die Kunden.
He alienates customers with his arrogant manner.
Sie wollte ihre Wähler nicht verprellen.
She didn't want to alienate her voters.
Grammar Patterns
to alienate ((sb.)) He has alienated his friends.
Similar Words
vergraulen (to scare away), verärgern (to anger), abschrecken (to deter)
Etymology
From 'ver-' (prefix indicating something going wrong or away) and 'prellen' (to bounce, but also to cheat). The sense is to 'bounce someone away'.
Memory Tips
Imagine 'prellen' (bouncing) someone away from you with your actions, causing them to be 'ver-' (gone).